Prepare a printable Arkansas rental application form to help you vet prospective tenants for your property. Create and customize your screening document with easy instructions and professional templates.
Last Update May 13th, 2023

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- What Is an Arkansas Residential Rental Application
- Arkansas Rental Applications by Type
- What to Include in an Arkansas Rental Application Form
- Arkansas Rental Application Laws
- Arkansas Rental Application Sample
- FAQs About Arkansas Rental Application Form
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What Is an Arkansas Residential Rental Application
Landlords use Arkansas rental applications to screen and assess potential tenants before committing to an official lease. This real estate form allows you to safely and confidentially collect this data from the applicant to make an informed decision on if they are the right option for your rental property.
Rental applications are also sometimes known as:
Applications for a rental property
Lease applications
Rental Lease applications
Tenant applications
The rental application document you use must be designed with AK statutes in mind. Nevertheless, you can use a rental agreement to collect the following information:
The tenant’s rental history
Information about their income
Details on criminal record and credit history
Personal references for the applicant.
Arkansas Rental Applications by Type
There are two main types of rental applications in Arkansas. You must select the most relevant one depending on the type of property being rented, local laws, and the type of leasing agreement that will be used.
Standard/General Arkansas Rental Application
The most common type of vetting document used by AK landlords is the Arkansas Standard Rental Application. This form can be customized according to the specific necessities of the property owner or manager.
Department of Housing And Urban Development (HUD) Rental Application
Landlords of low-income tenants or those offering Section 8 Housing should use a HUD rental application. It is specifically designed to only include information that is allowed under subsidized housing rules.
What to Include in an Arkansas Rental Application Form
Both landlords and tenants need to provide specific information on an Arkansas rental application. This is so it complies with state laws and allows an informed decision to be made. The details each party should provide can be seen below.
Data the Tenant Can Be Asked for | Essential Disclosures from the Landlord |
---|---|
Personal data | The property’s condition |
Rental history | Potential hazards to the tenant |
Employment details | Shared utility arrangements A.C.A. § 20-27-1901 |
Personal references | The security deposit |
Permission for background checks | Associated fees |
The information offered by either the landlord or tenant will vary from application to application. However, it is vitally important that both sides get the clearest picture possible about the nature of the lease before signing an agreement.
Arkansas Rental Application Laws
Arkansas state has various laws regarding the use of rental applications. If your document is not compliant with AK law, you may get sued by the applicant and face legal consequences.
Application Fee
You can charge as much as you wish as a rental application fee. There are no laws in Arkansas providing a set limit, although it is recommended to only charge enough to cover the costs of any background checks. Any amount charged to the tenant is also non-refundable.
Security Deposit
Landlords who collectively own 5 or fewer properties in Arkansas can charge any amount they choose as a security deposit. However, landlords owning over 5 properties cannot charge more than 2 months’ rent under Arkansas law (§ 18-16-304 & § 18-16-303).
Housing Discrimination Law
Arkansas has no specific statutes policing housing discrimination. Nevertheless, the Fair Housing Act (FHA), is enshrined in federal law meaning that landlords may not refuse a tenant for discriminatory reasons.
Under the FHA you may not reject a tenant application for reasons such as their race, religion, sex, family status, or because they have any disabilities. You may also not discriminate against their criminal history (whether or not a background check is carried out) or nationality.
Notice of Eligibility
Tenants must be told about any specific screening criteria, as well as the reasons that they could be denied or approved by the landlord. To show that this information has been shared, a signature of acknowledgment from the tenant is required.
Consent Credit Check
Within Arkansas, federal law is in effect that requires potential renters to provide written consent for a credit history check during the application process. This is known as the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Arkansas Rental Application Sample
Looking over a readily prepared template of a rental application makes it much easier to create your own. Review our document sample below to get more familiar with what your application form will look like when it’s completed.

FAQs About Arkansas Rental Application Form
Having a good idea of what you can and cannot use an Arkansas rental application for is important. In our FAQs below, we explain what is and isn’t allowed when you create your own form.
What Can You Ask on an Arkansas Rental Agreement?
Creating an Arkansas rental application can be easily done with the help of our contract maker and template tools. When you fill out a rental application form, you will usually request the following information from the tenant:
Personal data
Rental history
Employment details
Income information
Credit history
Personal references
Permission for background checks
You must also include important legal disclosures on the property and the lease agreement being proposed. This will outline details on the condition of the property, any hazards, and information on aspects such as security deposit and fees. Our template designer will help you add the data that must be added.
Why Do I Need an Arkansas Rental Application?
An Arkansas rental application gives you the opportunity to learn more about your tenant before committing to a legal contract with them. The application lets you collect data on your prospective rental resident, so you may carry out important checks to:
Review their rental history
Verify their employment and income
Learn of any criminal history or credit issues
What Cannot Be Asked on Rental Applications in Arkansas?
You cannot ask tenants a number of questions when you are vetting them with an Arkansas rental application document. You must not request any of the following information from the applicant during this process:
Race or ethnicity
Religion
Sexuality
Immigration or citizenship status
Arrest records
Marital or familial status
Whether they have children or not