Arkansas Utility Payment Laws for Renters Explained

Understanding who is responsible for utility bills in an Arkansas rental is crucial for avoiding surprises on your monthly expenses. Utility costs like electricity, water, and gas can add up quickly—so knowing your legal rights and obligations as a renter helps you budget and advocate for yourself. This guide covers Arkansas law on utility payment responsibility, what must be in your lease, and what to do if you face service shutoffs or disputes.

Who Is Responsible for Utilities in Arkansas Rentals?

In Arkansas, the responsibility for paying utilities is determined by the lease agreement between the renter and landlord. There is no statewide law that requires landlords to pay for all utilities—or renters to cover them all. Instead, your written lease should clearly state:

• Which utilities (e.g., water, electric, gas, trash, internet) you are responsible for
• Which utilities, if any, your landlord will provide or pay
• How utilities are billed—either directly to you from the provider or collected with rent

The Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act sets the minimum legal guidelines but expects the lease to spell out most utility payment details.^[1] If your lease is silent on utilities, the default is that the landlord remains responsible—however, this is rare and most leases address utilities.

Common Arkansas Utility Billing Practices

• Direct Billing: The tenant opens an account and pays the provider directly. This is typical for electricity and natural gas.
• Landlord Billing: The landlord keeps the account in their name and either includes utilities in your rent or separately charges you a set amount each month.
• Ratio Utility Billing System (RUBS): Some landlords divide utility bills among all tenants, often based on unit size or occupancy. Confirm breakdowns are spelled out in your lease.

Whatever the arrangement, it must be clearly disclosed in writing in your lease. If it isn't, ask your landlord for clarification and request an updated lease or an addendum.

Protections When Landlords Control Utilities

If the landlord is responsible for utilities and fails to pay the bill (e.g., in an all-utilities-included apartment), service may be disconnected. Arkansas law protects renters in these situations by allowing certain actions—including possible lease termination if the basic habitability of the home is affected (for example, heat or water are essential services).

If you are ever threatened with a utility shutoff due to your landlord's non-payment, you should:

• Notify your landlord immediately, in writing
• Document any hardship or loss caused by the disconnection
• Contact your local utility provider—some will postpone the shutoff and notify the landlord if a tenant is affected

Utility Shutoff Complaint Process

If essential utilities are disconnected and the landlord is responsible for payment, renters may file a complaint with either:

• Your city or county code enforcement agency, which can inspect and order the landlord to restore services
• The Arkansas Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division for mediation and to report landlord abuse

The official tribunal handling residential tenancies and disputes in Arkansas is the Arkansas Courts System, where tenants may file actions such as "Unlawful Detainer" (for illegal lockouts or substantial lease violations) or seek other remedies in civil court.

Relevant Forms for Utility Issues

• Utility Service Complaint Form (local code enforcement)
  Used to report utility shutoffs affecting habitability when the landlord is responsible:
  • Example: If water is shut off in your apartment and your lease makes the landlord responsible, you can submit this form to your city/county code enforcement office.
  • Find local government contact info on your city's official website (e.g., Little Rock Code Enforcement).
• Arkansas Attorney General Consumer Complaint Form
  Used if a landlord's actions create unsafe living conditions:
  • Practical use: Filing a complaint when a landlord repeatedly fails to pay utilities, causing disconnection. The AG may mediate or investigate under consumer protection laws.
  • Access the form: File a Consumer Complaint

Key Tips for Tenants Dealing with Utility Issues

• Ask to review the lease line-by-line before signing, and clarify any section on utilities
• Keep copies of all utility bills or communication with your landlord or utility providers
• If a utility is shut off by mistake, contact your landlord and the provider immediately—restore essential services as soon as possible

Utility disputes can take time to resolve; acting quickly, documenting everything, and knowing your rights will help you avoid disruptions or surprise bills.

FAQ: Arkansas Utility Billing for Renters

1. Does Arkansas law require landlords to pay for any utilities?
   No, Arkansas law leaves utility payment arrangements to the lease agreement. Your lease should state clearly who pays for which utility.
2. What can I do if my landlord doesn't pay the utilities they are supposed to?
   Notify them in writing, document the issue, and contact local code enforcement or the Arkansas Attorney General's office if services are shut off or threatened.
3. Is my landlord allowed to split one utility meter bill among several tenants?
   Yes, but only if your lease explains how bills are split and this is clearly agreed upon in writing.
4. Can a landlord shut off my utilities to make me move out?
   No, "self-help" evictions like shutting off utilities are illegal in Arkansas. Only courts can order evictions.
5. Where do I file a formal dispute about utilities in Arkansas?
   Utility and tenancy disputes are handled by local code enforcement offices or the Arkansas state courts, depending on the situation.

Key Takeaways

• Utility responsibility in Arkansas is set by your lease—review it closely.
• If your landlord is responsible for utilities, you have protections against unlawful shutoffs.
• Disputes can be taken to local code enforcement, the Attorney General, or Arkansas courts as needed.

Need Help? Resources for Renters

• Arkansas Attorney General Consumer Protection Division – for utility shutoff complaints and mediation
• Arkansas Courts Portal – to understand formal legal actions for tenant disputes
• Little Rock Code Enforcement (check for your local equivalent) – for unsafe living conditions or code violations
• Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act – read your rights under the law

---

1. Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (Arkansas Code Title 18, Chapter 17)
2. Arkansas Attorney General Consumer Complaint Form
3. Little Rock Code Enforcement Department
4. Arkansas Courts System

Categories

Renter Rights & Legal Protections Lease Agreements & Renewals Rent, Fees & Security Deposits Moving In: Inspections & Disclosures Moving Out & Ending a Lease Maintenance, Repairs & Habitability Health & Safety Standards Evictions & Lease Violations Roommates, Subletting & Shared Housing Discrimination & Fair Housing Laws Accessibility & Disability Accommodations Utilities, Services & Billing Affordable Housing & Rental Assistance Rent Control & Rent Stabilization Privacy Rights & Landlord Entry Security, Locks & Emergency Protections Dispute Resolution & Legal Aid Retaliation & Harassment Protections Mobile Home & Manufactured Housing Rights Special Housing Types & Situations