Evicting a tenant in Arkansas requires landlords to deliver a notice to quit, either for non-payment of rent or non-compliance (a breach of the current lease agreement). This notice will explain the reasons for the eviction and instruct the tenant of their next steps and serves as a landlord’s first action toward eviction before proceeding to the district court in their jurisdiction.

Laws – Subchapter 18-60-3 (Forcible Entry and Detainer — Unlawful Detainer)

How to Evict

Step 1 – Deliver an Eviction Notice
Step 2 – Wait to Hear from the Tenant
Step 3 – File in Court
Step 4 – Serve the Tenant
Step 5 – Wait for an Answer
Step 6 – Attend a Civil Hearing
- Tenant Deposit
Step 7 – Obtain a Writ of Possession
Step 8 – Obtain the Property

Eviction notices in Arkansas fit in one of three categories, which will be dictated by the inciting incident(s) and will determine the timeline for the notice to quit.

Non-Payment of Rent (3-Day Notice to Quit) – If rent hasn’t been paid within 5 days of the due date¹, the notice announces that the tenant has 3 days to pay before the landlord can move forward with eviction proceedings.
Non-Compliance (14-Day Notice to Quit) – When the landlord learns a tenant has violated the lease agreement for reasons other than non-payment of rent, they may terminate the lease with a 14-Day Notice to Quit. The landlord must specify the acts and omissions constituting non-compliance. The rental agreement is then terminated as provided in the notice unless the non-compliance is remedied before the 14-day deadline specified in the notice.¹ If the breach goes unfixed, the landlord can proceed.
Material Health/Safety Violation (14-Day Notice to Quit) – If the tenant engages in a violation that violates health, safety, or building code, they may be served this notice.²
Month to Month (30-Day Notice to Quit) – A month to month agreement automatically renews every month when a fixed term expires. If the landlord does not wish to renew when that contract terminates, they must provide 30 days’ notice from the next monthly payment date.

Step 2 – Wait to Hear from the Tenant

Most evictions can be cured between the time notice was sent and its deadline to quit. If the tenant contacts the landlord and communicates intent to cure the violation, the lease can remain intact. If there is no communication, the landlord may begin the “unlawful detainer” process through their district court.³

Step 3 – File in Court

A landlord must pursue a civil lawsuit for unlawful detainer in Arkansas and file with their district court when a tenant does not vacate or respond within the notice to quit period.⁴

Average Processing and Ruling Time: A few days to as much as a few weeks
Filing Fee: $65
Where to File: Arkansas District Courts

Paperwork to be filed:

Cover Sheet
Summons
Complaint (obtain from the court where the property is located)
Notice of Intent to Issue Writ of Possession

Step 4 – Serve the Tenant

The clerk of the court will issue a summons, which will be directed to the sheriff of the county to serve. They will be issued a “NOTICE OF INTENTION TO ISSUE WRIT OF POSSESSION.”⁴

Step 5 – Wait for an Answer

Upon service, tenants are given 5-10 days to answer to the court, excluding Sundays and legal holidays. They have this period to file a written response to the court if they wish to contest the eviction.

A court hearing is scheduled after the answer is filed. If an answer is not filed, the court will immediately issue a writ of possession which will be given to the sheriff to execute.⁵

Step 6 – Attend a Civil Hearing

The court will hear and rule on eviction cases as they would any other civil suit.⁵ If the tenant plans to remain on the premises through the court proceedings, they are required to deposit a sum equal to any amount of rent due with the registry of the court. A failure to do this during the pendency of the proceeding without justification will constitute grounds for the court to grant the writ of possession.⁶

Step 7 – Obtain a Writ of Possession

The clerk of the court will give a writ of possession to the sheriff or police chief if one is granted. Law enforcement will deliver a copy of the writ of possession to the tenant, giving them 24 hours to vacate.

Step 8 – Obtain the Property

If the tenant doesn’t vacate within 24 hours of being notified of the writ of possession, the sheriff or police chief will notify the landlord that labor and assistance will be required to obtain possession of the property and remove any belongings.⁷

How to Evict

Step 1 – Deliver an Eviction Notice

Step 2 – Wait to Hear from the Tenant

Step 3 – File in Court

Step 4 – Serve the Tenant

Step 5 – Wait for an Answer

Step 6 – Attend a Civil Hearing

Step 7 – Obtain a Writ of Possession

Step 8 – Obtain the Property

Evictions in Arkansas: Video

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