The Arkansas Code Title 18 Property, Subtitle 2 Real Property, Chapter 16 Landlord and Tenant, Subchapter 1 General Provisions outlines the following consequences for tenants should they decide to stop paying rent:
Forfeiture of Rights
Any person who shall rent any dwelling house or other building or any land situated in the State of Arkansas and who shall refuse or fail to pay the rent therefor when due according to contract shall at once forfeit all right to longer occupy the dwelling house or other building or land.
Refusing to Vacate is a Misdemeanor
If, after ten (10) days’ notice in writing has been given by the landlord or the landlord’s agent or attorney to the tenant to vacate the dwelling house or other building or land, the tenant shall willfully refuse to vacate and surrender the possession of the premises to the landlord or the landlord’s agent or attorney, the tenant shall be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Fines and Penalties
Upon conviction before any justice of the peace or other court of competent jurisdiction in the county where the premises are situated, the tenant shall be fined in any sum not less than one dollar ($1.00) nor more than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) for each offense.
Note: Each day the tenant shall willfully and unnecessarily hold the dwelling house or other building or land after the expiration of notice to vacate shall constitute a separate offense.
A.C.A. § 18-16-101.
Return to Arkansas Landlord-Tenant Laws.