There are many reasons Alaska homeowners decide to rent a room out in their home. Perhaps you want to offset some upcoming costs, or maybe you’re just helping out a friend with a temporary place to stay. Whether you choose a short- or long-term rental, it’s important to follow the law throughout the tenancy.
That’s where a room rental agreement in Alaska comes into play. This type of agreement outlines the key details of the arrangement, including payment terms and the rights and responsibilities of both parties.
Here, we’ll break down everything you need to know about renting out a room in your Alaska home.
Room Rental Laws
Alaska landlord-tenant law applies to all room rental agreements. This set of laws oversees aspects of an Alaska room rental agreement, including:
- Security deposits
- Rent and fees
- Access and privacy
- Maintenance and habitability
- Lease terms and termination
- Eviction and breaches
Alaska law allows you freedom in determining the type of room rental agreement that works best for you and your tenant.
Different Types of Room Rental Agreements in Alaska
Alaska landlords can choose from a few types of room rental agreements. The details of your situation will determine which type of agreement works best for you.
Verbal agreement: An informal, spoken understanding between you and your tenant. Verbal agreements are often difficult to prove and can result in misunderstandings. For this reason, we don’t recommend this type of arrangement.
Fixed-term lease: A fixed-term lease lasts for a set period, typically 1 year. This type of Alaska room rental agreement is a good option for landlords who value stability and predictability over flexibility.
Month-to-month lease: A month-to-month room rental agreement, also known as a tenancy at will, automatically renews every month until you or your tenant gives notice to terminate. While month-to-month arrangements offer more flexibility, they require additional attention to detail.
Required Landlord Disclosure
Before signing a lease agreement, Alaska law requires you to disclose specific information to your tenant.
Lead-based paint: For any home built before 1978, you must disclose any known information about lead-based paint and its hazards and provide the required EPA pamphlet.
Landlord name and information: You must provide your name and contact information with the rental agreement (AS § 34.03.080(a)).
Extended time away: If your tenant plans to be away from the property for 7 days or more, they must inform you (AS § 34.03.150).
Security Deposit Rules
Alaska has specific laws regarding security deposits, from how much you can charge to when you must return the funds.
Maximum security deposit: You may charge up to 2 months’ rent as a security deposit, provided the monthly rent does not exceed $2,000 (AS § 34.03.070(a)).
Pet deposits: Alaska law allows you to charge an additional refundable pet deposit of up to 1 month’s rent. These deposits must be held separately and can only be used to cover pet-related damages (AS § 34.03.070(a)).
Security deposit receipt: In Alaska, you must give your tenant a receipt for their security deposit payment (AS § 34.03.070).
Deduction tracking: In Alaska, you may withhold deductions to cover unpaid rent or damages beyond normal wear and tear. You should provide an itemized list of deductions within 14 days of your tenant moving out; otherwise, you have 30 days to provide the deductions (AS § 34.03.070(g)).
Security deposit return: You must return the tenant’s security deposit, minus any deductions, within 14 days of move-out if your tenant gave notice or 30 days if they did not (AS § 34.03.070(g)).
Rent Payment Rules
There are additional rent payment laws that govern your room rental agreement in Alaska. Here’s what you need to know.
Late rent fees: Alaska law does not oversee late fees, so you can charge any reasonable amount as a late fee, as long as you outline it in the agreement (AS § 34.03.020 – § 34.03.360).
Right to withhold rent: If there is an issue that affects your tenant’s health or safety, your tenant may give you notice of the issue, notifying you that the agreement will terminate at least 20 days later if you do not fix the issue within 10 days. Your tenant may also withhold rent to fix the issue (AS § 34.03.160(a), AS § 34.03.180(a)(1)).
Grace period: You do not have to extend a grace period for late rent payments (AS § 34.03.020(c)).
Pet rent: You may charge a separate pet rent in addition to the deposit. Your lease agreement must clearly outline the fee.
Rent Payment Increase Rules
Under Alaska law, you may increase the rent. However, there are certain rules that you must follow.
Rent payment increase frequency: Rent control and stabilization laws do not exist in Alaska. In other words, you can raise the rent as you deem necessary, but you should give written notice first.
Rent payment increase maximum: There are no statewide cap limits on how much landlords can raise rent; however, you must give 30 days’ notice before the rent increase takes effect. You cannot raise the rent in the middle of a fixed-term lease.
Rent control/stabilization: Alaska has no rent control or rent stabilization laws.
Alaska Room Rental Agreement Breaches
If your tenant violates any part of their room rental agreement, Alaska law outlines steps you should take to get back on track.
Failure to pay: If your tenant misses a rent payment, you may issue a 7-day Notice to Pay or Quit (AS § 34.03.220(b)).
Lease violations: For other lease violations, you may issue a 10-day Notice to Cure or Quit (AS § 34.03.220).
Self-help evictions: In Alaska, self-help evictions are illegal. You should never attempt to remove a tenant on your own (AS § 34.03.210).
Terminating an Alaska Room Rental Agreement
When you or your tenant decides to end the room rental agreement, Alaska law sets specific rules for terminating the agreement.
Fixed-term: A fixed-term room rental agreement in Alaska ends on the date specified in the lease; however, tenants may terminate the agreement early under certain circumstances, including active duty military service, landlord harassment, or domestic violence (AS § 34.03.160(a)).
Month-to-month: To end a month-to-month room rental, either the landlord or the tenant must give at least 30 days’ written notice (AS § 34.03.290(b)).
Tenant’s right to terminate: Alaska tenants may terminate their room rental agreement if they experience certain life events, such as active-duty military service, landlord harassment, or domestic violence.
Room abandonment: Tenants who abandon their room rental agreement in Alaska are often financially responsible for the remainder of the lease term until you find someone else to rent the room (AS § 34.03.230).
Landlord Access Laws
If you must enter the room, whether for an emergency or routine maintenance, you must also respect your tenant’s privacy.
Advance notice: You must give your tenant at least 24 hours’ notice before entering the room (AS § 34.03.140(c)).
Immediate access: If there is an emergency, you may enter the property at any time (AS § 34.03.140(b)).
Landlord harassment: Even though you have the right to enter the room as necessary, you may not harass your tenant. In these cases, they may terminate their room rental agreement in Alaska, and you may face additional penalties (AS § 34.03.140(c)).
Lease Agreement Renewal and Termination
State law also dictates how you proceed, whether you decide to renew or terminate the room rental agreement in Alaska.
Required renewals: You are not required to renew a room rental agreement in Alaska at the end of its term.
Required notice: If you do not intend to renew your tenant’s room rental agreement in Alaska, you must give them notice. Fixed-term leases generally end on their specified date, unless the lease requires you to give advance notice. For month-to-month agreements, you must give your tenants 30 days’ written notice (AS § 34.03.290(b)).
Month-to-month considerations: An Alaska month-to-month lease agreement renews each month until one party gives proper notice. To terminate a tenancy at will, either party must give at least 30 days’ written notice (AS § 34.03.290(b)).
Room Rental Agreement Alaska FAQs
What to include in an Alaska room rental agreement?
For an Alaska room rental agreement, be sure to include key details of the contract, such as the rent amount and due date, security deposit terms, lease length, house rules, shared-space use, utilities, maintenance duties, guest and pet policies, and move-out requirements.
How do I legally rent out a room?
To legally rent out a room in Alaska, you must follow state and local codes. Create a written room rental agreement in Alaska using property management software that provides the required disclosures for you and your tenant to sign.
How to make an Alaska room rental agreement?
Use a simple Alaska room rental agreement template from a trusted landlord software. Choose a printable PDF you can fill out, customize with your rent terms, house rules, and disclosures. Then, have both parties sign and keep copies for your records.
