“How long does an eviction take in Arkansas?” is the question every new landlord asks, and most answers online are wrong. The honest answer depends on which eviction process you use, which county, and how cooperative the tenant is. Here’s the real timeline from an operator running eviction cases regularly across Pulaski, Saline, Faulkner, and surrounding counties.
The two eviction paths in Arkansas
Arkansas is unusual in having both a criminal eviction statute and a civil unlawful detainer process. Operator best practice: use civil unlawful detainer. It’s more predictable, more defensible, and avoids the constitutional questions surrounding the criminal statute.
Civil unlawful detainer timeline (typical case)
- Day 0, Notice to Quit: 3-day notice for non-payment or breach. Posted on door and mailed.
- Day 3–5, File complaint: Unlawful detainer complaint filed in circuit court.
- Day 5–10, Service: Tenant served by sheriff or process server.
- Day 10–15, Response window: Tenant has 5 business days to respond.
- Day 15–30, Hearing: Court schedules hearing. Timing varies by county.
- Day 25–35, Judgment: If landlord wins, writ of possession issued.
- Day 30–45, Sheriff execution: Sheriff schedules physical eviction.
Best-case clean filing: 25–30 days. Typical: 35–50 days. Contested cases: 60–90+ days.
What slows it down
- Sloppy notice, wrong date, wrong amount, missing signature, no proof of posting
- Service problems, tenant evading or address inaccurate
- Tenant response triggering a contested hearing
- Pre-trial settlement discussions delaying the docket
- Holiday court calendars
What speeds it up
- Clean, signed, dated notice with photo proof of posting
- Filing in the correct court the next business day after notice expires
- Pre-filing communication with the tenant (cash for keys often beats eviction on time and net cost)
- Working with a PM that handles evictions routinely
True cost of an eviction
- Filing fees: $165–$200 depending on county
- Service of process: $50–$100
- Attorney fees (if used): $300–$1,000 uncontested, more contested
- Lost rent during the process: 30–90 days × monthly rent
- Turn cost after eviction (typically heavier): $2,500–$5,000
- Collections recovery rate: usually under 20% of judgment
Total all-in cost: typically $4,500–$8,500 for a single-family Class B eviction. This is why screening and tenant retention matter so much.
Cash for keys as an alternative
Offering a non-paying tenant $500–$1,500 to vacate within 7–10 days is almost always cheaper than evicting. We use this regularly. The math: $1,000 cash + 10-day vacancy ≈ $1,500 vs. $5,000+ for a full eviction. The tenant gets a clean exit, the unit gets back in service, and you avoid 30–60 days of lost rent.
Frequently asked questions
What’s the fastest realistic eviction in Arkansas?
25–30 days from notice to writ in an uncontested civil case with clean paperwork in a court with light docket. Anything faster is unusual.
Can I shut off utilities or change the locks?
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in Arkansas and exposes you to significant damages.
Should I use the criminal eviction statute?
Operator best practice is no. Use civil unlawful detainer for predictability and defensibility.
Do I need an attorney for an Arkansas eviction?
Not technically, landlords can file pro se. In practice, an attorney is worth it for contested cases or any portfolio with regular eviction volume.
Does a PM handle the eviction for me?
Yes. We handle notices, filings, court appearances (or coordinate with counsel), and turn scheduling. See our eviction guide.
Need help with a current eviction?
Call Chase at 501-650-5137 or PM team at 501-850-6874.
About the Operator: Chase Calhoun is the founder of Chase Calhoun Real Estate, managing 150+ rental units across Central Arkansas with 95%+ occupancy and a 10-day-or-less unit turn benchmark. Read full operator profile.
Markets we serve: Little Rock · North Little Rock · Sherwood · Conway · Benton · Bryant · Maumelle · Cabot · All Locations
Operator services: Property Management · Build-to-Rent · Real Estate Sales · Cash Offers · All Services
Thinking about handing this off to a pro?
If you own a rental in Central Arkansas and you would rather spend your time on the next deal than on midnight maintenance calls, we can help. Start with a free rental analysis to see what your property should rent for and how we would manage it. Learn more about our property management approach.
