If a rental property in Arkansas fails to meet legally required health and safety standards, tenants have the right to report their landlord to local public officials who may choose to follow up, inspect the property and cite the landlord for such violations.
What Are Considered Unsafe Living Conditions in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, unsafe living conditions exist when a rental property doesn’t have safe and working:
- Hot and cold potable water.
- Electricity.
- Sewage.
- Plumbing.
- Roof and building envelope.
- Heating / AC (if provided).
What Should Tenants Do Before Reporting a Violation in Arkansas?
In most cases, before reporting a violation, a tenant in Arkansas must notify the landlord of the unsafe condition by sending a written repair request via certified mail which allows 30 days for repairs. Note: in Arkansas landlords are allowed to retaliate against things like maintenance complaints.
How Can Tenants Report a Violation in Arkansas?
Tenants in Arkansas should report violations to the local office or officers responsible for housing code enforcement. The exact process depends on municipality.
| Location | Organization | Contact |
| Little Rock | Little Rock 311 | Online Form |
| Fayetteville | Code Compliance | Online Form |
| Fort Smith | Building Safety | Call (479) 784-1076 |
After receiving a complaint, an inspecting officer might contact the tenant for more information. Then the officer will usually inspect the property and cite the landlord for any code violations.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Little Rock?
A tenant in Little Rock can report a health or safety violation by calling (501) 371-4748 or using the online form provided by Little Rock 311. Most issues will fall under “Housing Code Violation.” Enter location, describe the issue, provide contact information, review, and submit.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Fayetteville?
A tenant in Fayetteville can report a health or safety violation by calling (479) 575-8237 or using the online form provided by Code Compliance. Select location and issue. Most issues will fall under “Building Concern” or “Residential Health & Safety.” Describe the issue, provide contact information, and submit.
How Can a Tenant Report a Health or Safety Violation in Fort Smith?
A tenant in Fort Smith can report a health or safety violation by calling Building Safety at (479) 784-1076. Make sure to provide contact information, a detailed description of the issue, and the physical location of the rental property.
What Could Happen to a Landlord After a Complaint Is Made in Arkansas?
After a tenant files a complaint about unsafe living conditions in Arkansas, an officer may inspect the property. The landlord must fix noted code violations. Otherwise, the landlord could be fined and the local government might file to condemn the property.
Sources
- 1 Ark. Code Ann. § 18-17-502(a) (2022)
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“For all lease agreements or rental agreements entered into or renewed after November 1, 2021… [with specified exceptions] there shall be implied in all leases and rental agreements for residential purposes a requirement that a dwelling unit or single-family residence have… throughout the term of the lease or rental agreement: (1) An available source of hot and cold running water; (2) An available source of electricity; (3) A source of potable drinking water; (4) A sanitary sewer system and plumbing that conform to applicable building and housing codes in existence at the time of installation; (5) A functioning roof and building envelope; and (6) A functioning heating and air conditioning system to the extent the heating and air conditioning system served the premises at the time the landlord and the tenant entered into the lease or rental agreement.”
Source Link - 2 Ark. Code Ann. § 18-17-502(d)(1) & (d)(2)(A) (2022)
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“(1) If a dwelling unit or single-family residence does not comply with subsection (a) of this section [landlord repair duties], the tenant is entitled to deliver written notice of the noncompliance to the landlord by certified mail or any other method provided by the lease or rental agreement and shall specify the acts and omissions constituting noncompliance.
Source Link
“(2) (A) If the payment of rent is current, noncompliance is not excused under subsection (c) of this section, and the landlord does not remedy the noncompliance within thirty (30) calendar days after receiving the notice required by subdivision (d)(1) of this section, the tenant’s sole remedy shall be to terminate the lease or rental agreement without penalty and receive a refund of any security deposit recoverable under § 18-16-301 et seq.”
