Alaska Landlord-Tenant Laws
Security Deposit Limits and Requirements
Prior to or at occupancy
- Maximum security deposit: 2 months' periodic rent
- Exception: No limit if monthly rent exceeds $2,000
- Limit includes both prepaid rent AND security deposit combined
- Additional pet deposit allowed (see pet deposits topic)
- Landlord must hold deposits in trust account
- +1 more requirements
Security Deposit Return Timeline
- 14 days if returning entire deposit
- 30 days if deducting for damages
- Yes, must provide itemized statement with any deductions
- 30 days if tenant didn't give proper notice or property abandoned
- 14-day deadline: If no deductions OR only deducting for unpaid rent
- 30-day deadline: If deducting for damages from tenant noncompliance
- 30-day deadline: If tenant didn't give proper move-out notice
- 30-day deadline: If landlord becomes aware dwelling is abandoned
- Must mail refund and itemization to tenant's last known address
- +3 more requirements
Security Deposit Storage Requirements
Promptly upon receipt from tenant
- Must deposit in trust account (bank, savings & loan, or licensed escrow agent)
- Should be interest-bearing wherever practicable
- Tenant entitled to interest earned (unless agreement states otherwise)
- Can commingle multiple tenants' deposits in single account
- Must keep separate accounting for each tenant's funds
- +3 more requirements
Permitted Security Deposit Deductions
After termination of tenancy and delivery of possession
- May deduct for unpaid/accrued rent
- May deduct for damages from tenant's noncompliance with AS 34.03.120
- Damages = deterioration of premises (and contents if applicable)
- Damages do NOT include normal wear and tear
- Damages do NOT include deterioration from normal, nonabusive living
- +5 more requirements
Pet Deposits and Fees
Prior to or upon pet occupancy
- Maximum pet deposit: 1 month's rent
- Pet deposit is SEPARATE from security deposit limit
- Must be accounted for separately from security deposit/prepaid rent
- Can only be applied to damages directly related to the pet
- Service animals: NO pet deposit allowed
- +3 more requirements
Rent Payment Due Date
Beginning of each rental period unless otherwise specified
- Default: Rent due at beginning of each month
- Default location: Payable at the dwelling unit
- Parties can agree to different due date in rental agreement
- Parties can agree to different payment location
- No demand or notice required for payment
- +2 more requirements
Late Fees and Charges
As specified in rental agreement
- No statutory limit on late fee amount
- Must be clearly disclosed in rental agreement
- No mandatory grace period in Alaska
- Rent considered late the day after due date (unless agreement specifies grace period)
- Late fees must be reasonable (excessive fees may be challenged)
- +2 more requirements
Rent Increases and Notice Requirements
- 30 days' written notice before rental due date
- 14 days' written notice
- Full rental period + 30 days
- 365 days' notice (rental period + 30 days)
- No rent control in Alaska - no limit on increase amount
- Month-to-month: 30 days' written notice before next rental period
- Notice must be given BEFORE the rental due date when increase takes effect
- Example: Rent due 15th, increase on Oct 15 = notice by Sept 15
- Fixed-term leases: Cannot increase during lease term (unless lease allows)
- +4 more requirements
Landlord's Right to Entry
At least 24 hours' notice required (except emergencies)
- Must give tenant minimum 24 hours' advance notice
- Notice must specify: date, approximate time, and purpose of entry
- Must enter only at reasonable times (generally business hours)
- Tenant cannot unreasonably withhold consent
- Valid reasons for entry: inspections, repairs, alterations, services, showing property
- +4 more requirements
Eviction for Nonpayment of Rent
- 7 days to pay or quit
- 7 days to pay full rent due
- Can file FED action after 7 days if not paid
- Landlord must serve written 7-day notice
- Notice must state amount of rent due
- Notice must state date rent must be paid by (minimum 7 days)
- Notice must state that lease terminates if rent not paid
- Tenant has 7 days to pay FULL amount owed (including late fees if in agreement)
- +4 more requirements
Eviction for Lease Violations
- 10 days
- 10 days to remedy the violation
- Lease terminates if not cured within 10 days
- Landlord must provide written 10-day notice to cure or quit
- Notice must specify the exact acts/omissions constituting the violation
- Notice must state lease terminates in 10 days if not remedied
- Tenant has 10 days to fix the problem
- Curable violations: unauthorized pets, guests, subletting without permission, maintenance issues
- +3 more requirements
Eviction for Substantial Damage
- 24 hours to 5 days
- NO - unconditional notice
- Lease terminates on date specified in notice
- Applies to DELIBERATE/INTENTIONAL damage to premises
- Substantial damage defined: loss, destruction, or defacement exceeding $400
- Landlord gives written notice specifying damage
- Notice period: minimum 24 hours, maximum 5 days
- This is UNCONDITIONAL - no opportunity to cure
- +3 more requirements
Eviction for Illegal Activity
- 5 days (unconditional)
- NO - illegal activity cannot be cured
- Lease terminates after 5 days
- Applies to: prostitution, illegal drugs, illegal gambling, illegal alcohol activities
- Landlord gives 5-day unconditional notice to quit
- No opportunity to cure - tenant must vacate
- Applies if tenant engages in OR allows others to engage in illegal activity
- Must be knowing/intentional illegal conduct
- +3 more requirements
Terminating Month-to-Month Tenancy
- 30 days' written notice
- 14 days' written notice
- Must be given before rental due date
- Either landlord OR tenant can terminate
- Month-to-month: Minimum 30 days' written notice
- Week-to-week: Minimum 14 days' written notice
- Notice must be given BEFORE the rental due date when termination takes effect
- Example: Rent due 15th, terminate Oct 15 = notice by Sept 15
- +4 more requirements
Required Landlord Disclosures
At or before commencement of tenancy
- Name and address of property manager (if applicable)
- Name and address of owner OR authorized agent
- Agent must be authorized for service of process and receiving notices
- Terms and conditions for security deposit withholding
- Lead-based paint disclosure (for buildings built before 1978) - Federal law
- +4 more requirements
Landlord's Duty to Maintain Habitable Premises
Continuous obligation throughout tenancy
- Must comply with building and housing codes affecting health/safety
- Must make ALL repairs to keep premises fit and habitable
- Must maintain in good working order: electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, A/C, kitchen facilities
- Must keep common areas clean and safe (including snow/ice removal)
- Must provide and maintain waste disposal receptacles and arrange removal
- +5 more requirements
Tenant Obligations and Responsibilities
Continuous obligation throughout tenancy
- Keep occupied areas clean and safe as condition permits
- Dispose of garbage and waste in clean and safe manner
- Keep plumbing fixtures clean
- Use all facilities and appliances reasonably
- Cannot deliberately or negligently damage, destroy, or deface premises
- +7 more requirements
Tenant's Repair and Deduct Remedy
- Written notice to landlord
- Landlord has reasonable time to fix
- After work completed and statement submitted
- Applies when landlord fails to maintain fit premises or supply essential services
- Tenant must notify landlord in writing of intention to repair or vacate
- Must give landlord reasonable time to comply
- If landlord doesn't fix, tenant can hire licensed contractor
- Tenant submits itemized statement and waiver of lien to landlord
- +5 more requirements
Prohibition on Retaliatory Conduct
Protection continues throughout tenancy
- Landlord cannot retaliate against tenant for exercising legal rights
- Protected activities: complaints to government agencies, complaints to landlord about violations
- Prohibited retaliation: rent increases, service decreases, eviction threats, actual eviction
- Also protects: tenant organizing, joining tenant unions, testifying in court
- Presumption of retaliation if action taken within 6 months of protected activity
- +3 more requirements
Abandoned Property and Premises
- 15 days after mailing notice
- After 15 days
- May store at tenant's expense
- Landlord must mail notice of abandonment to tenant
- Notice sent to last known address and any other known address
- Must wait minimum 15 days after mailing notice
- After 15 days, landlord may dispose of or sell property
- Property may be stored at tenant's expense
- +4 more requirements
Small Claims Court Jurisdiction
Available at any time for qualifying disputes
- Maximum claim: $10,000
- Available for: security deposit disputes, property damage, unpaid rent (under $10,000)
- Simplified procedures - no attorney required
- Faster resolution than regular civil court
- Both landlords and tenants can file
- +4 more requirements
Lease Agreement Requirements and Prohibited Provisions
Before or at commencement of tenancy
- Can be oral or written (written strongly recommended)
- CANNOT waive tenant's rights under Alaska Landlord-Tenant Act
- CANNOT require tenant to waive rights or remedies
- CANNOT permit landlord to get confession of judgment
- CANNOT limit landlord or tenant liability beyond statutory limits
- +6 more requirements
Alaska Legal Forms
State-specific landlord forms powered by LawDepot. Affiliate links β we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
βοΈ Eviction Notice$29 Official eviction notice with proper legal language and state-specific requirements. Get Form β |
π Lease Agreement$29 Complete state-specific residential lease agreement with all required disclosures. Get Form β |
π Rent Increase Letter$19 Compliant notice of rent adjustment with correct timing requirements. Get Form β |
πͺ Notice to Vacate$19 Lease termination letter following proper state procedures and notice periods. Get Form β |
β Move-in Checklist$9 Property condition documentation form to protect against deposit disputes. Get Form β |
π Browse All Forms500+ Explore LawDepot's complete catalog of landlord forms, agreements, and documents. Browse Forms β |
