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Early Lease Termination Laws in Arkansas

Arkansas protects domestic abuse victims from eviction and non-renewal because of the abuse, but its victim protection statute does not give them a right to end a lease early.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Arkansas at a glance

Domestic violence victims
No statutory right
Ark. Code 18-16-112 bars landlords from terminating, refusing to renew or retaliating because of domestic abuse, and allows lock changes, but does not release the victim from the lease.

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Arkansas

Can domestic violence or sexual assault victims end a lease early in Arkansas?

No statutory right. Domestic violence victims in Arkansas: no statutory right. Ark. Code 18-16-112 bars landlords from terminating, refusing to renew or retaliating because of domestic abuse, and allows lock changes, but does not release the victim from the lease.

Where do the Arkansas early lease termination laws come from?

The rules above come from Ark. Code 18-16-112. Each source is linked on this page. We last checked them in October 2026.

What this means in practice

Read the lease first. Many leases contain an early termination clause, a buyout fee or a sublease option that may be easier to use than a statutory right. A statutory right usually applies even if the lease says nothing about it, and a lease generally cannot waive it.

Statutory early termination rights usually come with conditions. Common ones are written notice to the landlord, a minimum notice period, and proof such as a protective order, police report, military orders or a doctor's statement. Keep copies of everything you send and note the date and method of delivery.

If you leave without a statutory right, you may still owe rent until the unit is re-rented or the lease ends. Where a landlord has a duty to mitigate, it must make reasonable efforts to find a new tenant, and the amount you owe is reduced by rent the landlord collects or reasonably could have collected. Returning keys and documenting the condition of the unit can help limit disputes.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.