Arkansas: Month-to-Month Tenancy Termination Notice Requirements

Requirements one by one

Governing law

Arkansas's rule is one short statute: Arkansas Code § 18-17-704, the periodic-tenancy
termination section of the Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007. It applies
statewide to residential periodic tenancies. A fixed-term lease ends on its stated date
without notice; if the tenant stays on and the landlord consents, a new periodic tenancy
forms under § 18-17-401. Arkansas has no statewide just-cause requirement, so for an ordinary
month-to-month tenancy the whole question is the clock and getting the written notice
delivered on time.

Landlord's and tenant's notice period

The period is 30 days and it is the same for both sides. "The landlord or the tenant may
terminate a month-to-month tenancy by a written notice given to the other at least thirty
(30) days before the termination date specified in the notice" (§ 18-17-704(b)). Because the
statute names "the landlord or the tenant" interchangeably, the two clocks are symmetric —
neither owes more than the other. A shorter, week-to-week tenancy takes at least 7 days
(§ 18-17-704(a)). No reason has to be given.

When termination takes effect

Arkansas counts to the termination date named in the notice, and lets that date float. The
30 days run "before the termination date specified in the notice" (§ 18-17-704(b)), so you
pick an end date and make sure the written notice is given to the other side at least 30 days
before it. The date does not have to be the first or last of the month. Because the clock is
tied to when notice is given, delivering it in a way that proves the date matters (see
below).

How notice must be delivered

The statute requires only "a written notice given to the other" (§ 18-17-704) — it does not
prescribe any particular method or manner of service for a no-fault periodic-tenancy notice.
Delivery therefore follows the lease and general law. Because the 30 days are measured from
when the notice is given, the practical advice is to use a method that proves both delivery
and its date — hand delivery with a witness, or certified mail with a return receipt — so
you can show the notice was given at least 30 days before the termination date.

What the lease can change

The statutory periods are minimums: the section requires "at least" 30 days (or 7 for
week-to-week). A lease may require a longer notice, but it cannot cut the period below the
statutory floor, and the Act offers no shorter alternative. One related default: a fixed-term
lease whose tenant stays on with the landlord's consent becomes a periodic tenancy governed
by these same rules (§ 18-17-401).

Just-cause limits

Arkansas has no statewide just-cause law. A timely, properly given 30-day notice ends the
tenancy for any reason or none — the landlord does not have to justify it, subject to federal
and state fair-housing law. Ending the tenancy on paper is not the same as removing the
tenant. If the tenant stays past the termination date without the landlord's consent, "the
landlord may bring an action for possession" (§ 18-17-704(c)(1)). A holdover that is "not in
good faith" adds reasonable attorney's fees (c)(2), and a willful holdover that violates the
Act or the lease exposes the tenant to "an amount not more than three (3) months periodic
rent or twice the actual damages sustained ... whichever is greater" plus attorney's fees
(c)(3). The landlord's remedy is a court action for possession, not a self-help repossession.

What trips people up

Count back from the termination date you name. The 30 days run "before the termination
date specified in the notice" (§ 18-17-704(b)). Choose the move-out date first, then make
sure the written notice is given at least 30 days earlier.

It must be in writing. Section 18-17-704 requires "a written notice" for every periodic
tenancy. Telling the other side verbally — even clearly — does not terminate a month-to-month
tenancy.

The statute does not say how to serve it, so prove delivery yourself. Arkansas prescribes
no service method for this notice. Use hand delivery with a witness or certified mail so you
can later show the notice was given at least 30 days out.

A notice ends the tenancy; a court removes the tenant. If the tenant does not leave, the
landlord's remedy is a court action for possession (§ 18-17-704(c)(1)), and a willful
holdover can cost the tenant up to three months' rent or twice actual damages plus attorney's
fees (c)(3).

Common questions

I'm month-to-month and want to move out. How much notice? At least 30 days' written
notice before the termination date you name (§ 18-17-704(b)) — the same period a landlord
must give. Week-to-week is 7 days.

Does the tenancy have to end on the first of the month? No. Arkansas ties the 30 days to
the termination date specified in the notice, not to a rent date (§ 18-17-704(b)); any end
date at least 30 days out works.

Can my landlord end my tenancy without a reason? Yes. Arkansas has no statewide
just-cause law, so a proper 30-day written notice needs no reason. The landlord still must go
to court to remove you.

What happens if I stay past the notice date? The landlord can bring a court action for
possession, and if your holdover is willful you can be liable for up to three months' rent or
twice the landlord's actual damages, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees
(§ 18-17-704(c)(3)).

Statutes and sources

• Ark. Code § 18-17-704 — periodic tenancy, holdover remedies: 7 days' written notice for a
  week-to-week tenancy (a), 30 days for a month-to-month tenancy before the termination date
  specified in the notice (b), and the holdover remedies of an action for possession,
  attorney's fees for a bad-faith holdover, and up to three months' rent or twice actual
  damages for a willful holdover (c). Enacted by 2007 Ark. Act 1004, § 1; unchanged since.
  https://arkleg.state.ar.us/Home/FTPDocument?path=%2FACTS%2F2007%2FPublic%2FACT1004.pdf (accessed 2026-07-15)