Garland County Arkansas Landlord-Tenant Law: A Guide for Rental Property Owners in Hot Springs and the Ouachita Lakes Region
There is nowhere else in the United States quite like Hot Springs, Arkansas. The federal government set aside land above the thermal springs in 1832 — before Arkansas was a state, before the Civil War, before most of the country west of the Mississippi had been formally organized. That act of Congress created the country’s first federally protected land, which eventually became Hot Springs National Park in 1921. The national park sits entirely within the city limits of Hot Springs, and the Garland County courthouse — which required a separate act of Congress to acquire part of the block where it stands — is the only county courthouse in Arkansas located within a national park. The county’s history includes baseball spring training beginning in 1886 (Hot Springs is sometimes called the birthplace of spring training), notorious gangsters including Al Capone who ran illegal gambling operations out of the spa city in the 1930s, and a horse racing tradition at Oaklawn Park that dates to 1904. Understanding the local economy and tenant profile is essential for effective landlord practice in this one-of-a-kind market.
The Tourism Economy and Hospitality Worker Screening
Tourism and hospitality is Garland County’s largest economic sector, and this shapes the tenant pool in important ways. Hotel, restaurant, and entertainment workers frequently receive tip income that does not appear on pay stubs. The correct approach for landlords is to qualify applicants on verified base wage only — do not assume undocumented tip income is consistent or reliable. A restaurant server who makes $15/hour in base pay and claims $800/month in tips should be evaluated against the $15/hour baseline, not the claimed total.
Peak tourism in Hot Springs is summer (lake season) and winter-to-spring (Oaklawn Racing meet). Workers whose employment is primarily seasonal, or who follow the racing meet, represent higher volatility than year-round employees. Ask applicants directly whether their position is year-round or seasonal, and request prior-year tax returns to evaluate annual income rather than relying on peak-season pay stubs alone.
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort
Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort is one of the most storied thoroughbred racing venues in the United States and one of Garland County’s largest single employers. The live racing meet runs roughly January through May; casino operations run year-round. For tenant screening purposes, the key distinction is between casino floor employees (year-round, more stable base wages) and racing-specific workers: jockeys, trainers, grooms, exercise riders, and racing operations staff. Horse industry workers at a racing stable often follow the racing calendar and may winter in Hot Springs and summer elsewhere. Verify whether the applicant’s employment is tied to the racing season specifically or is a year-round casino position, and evaluate income accordingly.
CHI St. Vincent and the Healthcare Workforce
CHI St. Vincent Hot Springs is the county’s largest employer and the medical anchor of the Hot Springs MSA. Hospital workers — nurses, CNAs, medical technicians, administrative professionals — are among the most consistent tenant profiles in any market. Garland County’s healthcare workforce includes traveling nurses and contracted healthcare staff who rotate through the county on 3- to 6-month assignments through staffing agencies. For traveling nurses, use shorter lease terms matching the assignment length, verify the agency contract and housing stipend vs. direct income, and confirm the agency’s reputation and financial standing before signing.
Lake Hamilton, Lake Ouachita, and the STR Opportunity
Garland County has two major recreational lakes that create substantial short-term rental demand. Lake Hamilton, formed by the Carpenter Dam on the Ouachita River, is surrounded by a full-scale resort economy: condominiums, restaurants, marinas, water parks, and private homes with private docks. It is one of the busiest recreational lakes in Arkansas during summer months, and its proximity to Little Rock (55 miles northeast) ensures a strong weekend and seasonal visitor base. Properties with lake frontage, dock access, or lake views on Lake Hamilton can command significant STR premiums during the summer peak. Lake Ouachita, one of the cleanest lakes in the United States, lies within the Ouachita National Forest to the northwest and draws fishing, boating, and camping visitors looking for a more natural lake experience. Both lakes generate STR demand across different visitor profiles. Verify STR permit requirements with the City of Hot Springs, the relevant HOA, or county zoning before listing.
Arkansas Landlord-Tenant Law in Garland County
All Arkansas landlord-tenant law applies statewide with no local modifications in Garland County. The governing statutes are A.C.A. §§ 18-16-101 through 18-16-108 and the Arkansas Residential Landlord-Tenant Act of 2007, A.C.A. §§ 18-17-101 et seq. Security deposits are capped at two months’ rent and must be returned within 60 days (applies to landlords with 6+ units). No habitability warranty by default; no repair-and-deduct. Abandoned property may be disposed of immediately on lease termination. No rent control anywhere in Arkansas.
All evictions are filed in the 18th East Judicial Circuit Court, Circuit Clerk Kristie Womble-Hughes, 501 Ouachita Ave., Suite 207, Hot Springs, AR 71901, (501) 622-3630, fax (501) 609-9043. Filing fee: $165. Self-help evictions are prohibited.
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Arkansas landlord-tenant law is governed by the Arkansas Code Annotated and applies statewide, with no local rent control or just-cause eviction requirements in Garland County. Consult a licensed Arkansas attorney or contact the 18th East Judicial Circuit Court Clerk at (501) 622-3630 for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: March 2026.
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