Arkansas: The Worst Place to Rent in America

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Arkansas is one of the worst places to be a renter in America. It is the only state in the US where tenants are treated as criminals for paying rent late and landlords are not required by law to maintain their properties.
Its failure-to-vacate law lets landlords give tenants a 10-day eviction notice if they are even one day overdue. Tenants who can't or won't leave within that span face fines for every day they remain on the property and up to 90 days in jail.
This makes things difficult for the third of Arkansas's residents who are renters and have legitimate concerns about the properties they are occupying. The combination of failure-to-vacate and the lack of warranty of habitability make it almost impossible for tenants to challenge their landlords for legitimate reasons. It's estimated that criminal evictions occur everyday in Arkansas, resulting in over 2000 failure-to-vacate cases being filed each year.
VICE News visited Arkansas to learn more about its draconian eviction laws. From the courthouses to the porches of some of the state's poorest residents, we documented first-hand accounts from one of the country's most underreported stories.
Debtors Prisons Are Taking the US Back to the 19th Century: bit.ly/1lnn3AT
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[@ambermichelles]

If you can be criminalized for not paying rent, why can't the landlord be criminalized for not maintaining to property?

[@juanmelgar79]

ambermichelles because the system is rigged to benefit the rich, landlords.

[@MelodyLiuJade]

Because it's not illegal in Arkansas....

[@ryanatw7435]

Not that I agree with it, but to answer your question...a landlord actually bought and owns the property, not the renter. It’s not illegal to not fix a house that you own.

[@KayleeCee]

@Klaa2 In every other state in the country it is the landlord's responsibility to make repairs and ensure that heating and plumbing is in working order. In most states a tenant can either elect to withhold rent until repairs are made or hire someone to do the repairs and deduct the cost from the next months rent. It's bullshit that a landlord would expect someone to pay rent for a property that was in disrepair. Think about it. If you went to rent a car and it didn't run, but you were expected to pay for it anyway, would that be right? Hell no. If you rented a hotel room and found out that there were holes in the floor, the toilet didn't work, and the door didn't lock I'll bet you'd be pissed as hell if your credit card still got charged for it. It's also in the landlord's best interest to keep the place in good repair. The property will maintain its value better, the landlord can get a better price for it and attract better tenants.

[@DarkSideMaceWindu]

@Klaa2 you're a fucking idiot

[@BroccoliBeefed]

Landlords aren't required to maintain their properties? Seriously??

[@jayo3074]

This is fake. I don't believe that.

[@FeatheryBird]

Not fake, If you're not convinced, take a road vacation drive through Arkansas, I did. You have never seen such blight and poverty, it's a third world state.

[@mollymaxwell2817]

+FeatheryBird you haven't seen Half of Arkansas it's an amazing place to live our state is Beautiful you haven't seen all of Arkansas you have no clue

[@iiFallenWish]

+Shane Chambers You could easily look it up yourself rather than remaining purposely ignorant

[@jayo3074]

***** there's something wrong with you if think that landlord aren't required to maintain their properties. What bubble are you living in?

[@mangocryptid3280]

I can’t believe I’m finding out from an 8 year old video that this is just an Arkansas thing It’s disgusting how almost nothing has changed in 8 years

[@whatsonhermindblog123]

100%

[@JordanFlores-pn8uy]

Arkansas is still this way?

[@brandono.brooks4872]

​@@JordanFlores-pn8uyYes.

[@TheReCar1]

I live in Arkansas and have rented from multiple landlords, and they are all SlumLords. They never want to fix anything and are too quick to evict if your late more than a week.

[@Petermanchannel9]

Depends on where you live, Lindsey management is 100% slumlords. The two houses I rented in Fayetteville were owned by really cool people that took care of the place.

[@satorilynn11]

@@Petermanchannel9 This is so true! Stayed in Springdale twice under lindsay management. They have yet to renovate some of the older properties that have the same exact floor plan as the newer ones!

[@michaelabrajan9704]

Come to Ohio or West Virginia and you’ll change your mind so quick.

[@sistermadrigalmorning233]

This is insane.

[@grandwonder5858]

@RE Caruthers, That's what happen when you live in a state dominated by right-wingers! They are all about helping the rich and the powerful and suppressing the little guys!

[@andrewnolastname2337]

don't have enough money. okay your punishment is to pay us money because you don't have money. wtf America

[@langlang87]

yes I know that is as low and evil as it gets and makes no sense,, it's like getting a ticket for something really stupid yet they want hundreds of dollars for that shit but who has that kinda money these days to pay a ticket? and if you don't have it they want more money and put you in jail to pay it off?? no no no,,, like hell you will and you will get it when I say you get it because clearly I don't have it anyways.. ask anyone,,my attitude they days towards anyone especially the damn government is just,,,WHAT THE FUCK EVER I GOT BETTER SHIT TO DO,,, DON'T LIKE IT?DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!!!!#

[@r.c4914]

langlang87 you'll be tax for breathing air :D

[@johnpettersen9492]

or you could just get a job ?!?!

[@burtonl7239]

Andrew Brookes So if you don't have enough money, you should be rewarded with more money? Wtf Andrew?

[@lovebiannca]

Yes Andrew but that is the law in every town& state that comprises the usa. smdh.

[@schwubs]

It's a war on the poor.

[@iminyourwallsiminyourwalls4124]

The poor are un important. Unless they're veterans

[@beastly6737]

@@iminyourwallsiminyourwalls4124 your name describes your opinion

[@lapinchechismosa]

@@beastly6737 oh gawd shut up

[@beastly6737]

@@lapinchechismosa someone's a salty Trumptard😂

[@keirfarnum6811]

Beastly He might be using sarcasm.

[@hrmtty]

"refusing the pay the rent" is a twisted way to describe someone who CAN'T pay rent.

[@elizabethbennet4791]

white supremacy, ableism, classism. the pillars of american society. which is why its failing

[@rolandthethompsongunner64]

Not necessarily. Some people withhold rent because of needed maintenance. Would you pay your rent if your landlord didn’t fix your heat or A/C ?

[@Val-kp6fs]

@@rolandthethompsongunner64 yes that’s actually a law in GA & a lot of other states as well. I used to work in property mgmt and still manage some family rental properties so I stay up to date w Fair Housing Laws & state housing laws. Under GA Landlord Tenant Law if something breaks like your AC you need to notify your landlord in writing. If they fail to fix it then you may hire a contractor at a reasonable rate and deduct your payment to that contractor from future rent. There’s laws like this for a reason esp w something like AC in the Summer or heat in the Winter. Those issues are considered maintenance emergencies & are even more pressing. Think about the heat in a apt during the Summer w no AC and if you’re wife is in there pregnant or elderly ppl for ex that could really actually be v dangerous to them. It’s insane to me that there’s still a place w no laws really protecting the tenants just for the landlords benefit it seems.

[@alexl6433]

And you expect the landlord to pay for you if you don't have the money?!

[@chicanoazteca8614]

Refusing or can't, it makes no difference. Why should the property owner suffer because someone is irresponsible or has a mishap? That's selfish on the renter's part. It's also stealing. You know, not paying what you're supposed to pay.

[@lynnhasty9117]

I left Arkansas 30 years ago. That was the best life decision I ever made!

[@bluesky5384]

I went there three years ago for a bachelor party on the lake and still was only decent at best lol. Also the “lake house” was pretty crappy. I live in Missouri and housing is much better even here.

[@bluesky5384]

@John Washburn Missouri isn’t much better either. Sheesh pull the stick outta your ass man.

[@henryholtz1151]

Bill Clinton messes with Arkansas and he be getting p**** so I mess with Arkansas

[@suso6425]

@John Washburn things to do in Arkansas #1: Leave

[@jacky8470]

Seems like a racist hellhole

[@Mateo-wc6bh]

To be honest this video reminded me that Arkansas exists

[@icedogg7928]

Potato_Player I live here and I thought the same thing

[@erebostd]

It's like the "Saarland", the state in germany. Nobody wants to live there (or at least the people jokingly say. At least you get the same rights in Saarland as in the rest of Germany, not like in Arkansas...)

[@OgGwuap]

no wonder why Kansas is recognized more.....

[@lilitharam44]

That's how they get away with shit like that. No one remembers to check in and see what bullshit they are up to.

[@cashed-out2192]

@@SammyJoeLouis Unlike Mississippi, Louisiana, or Alabama, blacks do not make up a majority in the state of Arkansas. Research demographics before making such comments.

[@apocalypse2571]

I'm sorry but if the A/C or the water heater breaks and the landlord is refusing to fix it, I'm not paying rent. It is the only real leverage you have against a shitty landlord. Needless to say, I'm not moving to Arkansas. Ever.

[@Derna1804]

In New York if the A/C is broken then you have to replace it yourself, because you own it.

[@Derna1804]

CrystalSoulVisions Sure you can take it with you if you want to pay a moving company to take away a 700-1,100 lbs boiler. This is kind of a funny discussion because I've seen an army of slumlords in New York, but they seemed pretty easy to avoid in the South since there is so much more competition in the housing market there.

[@Derna1804]

CrystalSoulVisions The easiest solution would be to keep the landlord's broken junk as well, so that they have no case against you. Keeping in mind, if you have the money to do all that you also have the money to avoid slumlords, unless of course you live in New York.

[@Derna1804]

***** All very stellar advice. One thing to keep in mind though is that while the tenancy laws are stacked against small time landlords, many slumlords and sleazy companies are lawyered up like John Gotti.

[@iasimov4195]

As a landlord, I always made repairs and paid for them If the renter made the repairs I deducted it from the rent. I was a hell of a lot better landlord than any of my renters.

[@samaguga]

Arkansas renter here. It took 10 months for me to get landlords to repair part of the floor that literally started to collapse. Even if I moved out, I'd have to continue paying full rent under Arkansas law until my lease expired. I had to post dozens of negative reviews on every social media site for them to do something, and only then after threatening me with legal action for about a month. I've lived in 4 different states, and Arkansas even makes the rest of the South look like a good place to rent.

[@north6502]

Move bro, it sucks

[@grandwonder5858]

Mas Dragnil, This happens in most red states! Right-wingers are all about helping the rich and the powerful since they get bribes from them and so they passed laws to help the rich landlords to suppress the poor and the little guys so that they would have no power whatsoever in a dispute, even if the problems are caused by the landlords! All of the problems are caused by the fact that in a Republican state the law is written to help the rich take full advantage of the poor! I would never live in a red state if I could help it! The politicians are too corrupt and they are bought by rich donors (bribers)!

[@yuriel6691]

@@grandwonder5858 didn't the founding fathers build the country as such that if you don't like the politics of a Staate you could move to another one which was closer to your values in this case a blue Staate . That's why its was called the United STATES of America and not Liberia or Freeland or something like that. In no place in the world is easier to move to another Staate then in America in which said state would have different laws and taxes what an amazing country they created

[@chystal9161]

@@grandwonder5858 smh smh

[@ChonnyD]

@@yuriel6691 How about we can just improve the state of Arkansas and close these corrupt loopholes? Do you think the poor or lower income people there have many choices for where to move?

[@captainkhakis9826]

I live in Arkansas, I no longer rent, but when I was moving out of my first apartment when I was 18 I had to leave a couch and a few tables behind because I simply didn't have a way to transport them. I ended up getting pulled over for an improper lane change, and the officer told me that I had a warrant for a Failure to Vacate. This was in 2006, the officer was so confused as to what to do that he had to call his supervisor. He came back and got me out of the back of the cruiser and said "this is ridiculous, It's a waste of our time, go ahead and leave" they gave me a court date and the case was dropped for being "frivolous "

[@marssssssssh]

I rent in Arkansas right now and I absolutely hate it. This state sucks !!!

[@bobsacamano6853]

10 years for leaving 2 coffee tables behind. Geeeesh I'm sorry

[@mOnika-pt6vk]

A state in which it's a crime to be poor. Welcome to the U.S.A.

[@vector6977]

Guess who enacted that law? Wild Billy!

[@pacific7775]

@Colleen who better to describe a place than someone living there ?

[@ashswensen]

@mOni ka Then don’t break the law and you shouldn’t have any problems. Being poor is a choice in most cases. This country has more opportunity then almost any place in theworld. There really is no poor here. Even the homeless are living pretty good here. Try to live in South Sudan or Somolia. Lazy, self entitled crybabies wanting everyone to pay the way. Thinking the rich owe them somehow. Make your own way. Claiming to be a victim is not going to help you.

[@blakeley38]

Capitalism at its finest

[@notasoviet1016]

Pacific777 just because you live in Arkansas does not mean you know everything about America

[@matthewjreyes997]

Older I'm getting I'm realizing how fucked up legally some states are here in the USA sad.

[@jtbfii]

In Kansas you get burnt at the stake for stating that the earth goes round the sun.

[@cw5001]

In my state, if the landlord, doesn't fix the repairs on his property. The tenant is required to put their rent, in an escrow account setup by the landlord-tenant court. If the landlord refuse fix the repairs, before the thirty-day requirement, the tenant can moved, and keep the rent. The tenant can also moved, without giving a thirty-day notice.

[@SetApartMommy]

cw5001 That's how it is in Tx

[@carolechisum6582]

TheSetApart Life actually, in TX, if someone is trying to purchase their home through lease purchase, rent to own, or lease options and has to sue the landlord, but if the renter sues and wins, the owner is liable for treble damages and legal fees. That is hefty protection!

[@armandito9735]

And it's going to get .....Worse!.

[@JJJJ-gl2uf]

"Failure to vacate was passed at the beginning of the last century." That says a lot about Arkansas..... only 100 years behind the times. This is truly a ridiculous situation where landlords don't have to repair anything and tenants can be jailed for not leaving a property.

[@DarthFurie]

These are disgusting rental laws, punishments, and practices. My heart goes out to everyone affected by these sick rules

[@antoniorosales2047]

Get a life. You have no clue what it's like to own investment property.

[@6lemans10]

@@antoniorosales2047 Do you own any property?

[@kittens-kun7671]

@@antoniorosales2047Lick that boot.

[@JoelZWilliams1]

It never ceases to amaze me that people who believe this is OK are also many of the same that will be in church on Sunday talking about how much they love Jesus and all that he stood for. Yet Monday they do the opposite.

[@MancstaSam]

I love this comment I couldn't of said it better...coming from the Uk im pretty shocked at how america seems to treat its most vulnerable..even in the uk the conservatives are always trying to slash safety nets for the poor but in America it seems like dog eat dog world

[@JoelZWilliams1]

Sam Firth The irony is that they will break out the bible and quote you scripture on leviticus and why gays shouldn't be allowed to marry, but seem to be unable to find the passage where Jesus says to help the poor and needy. that the duty of a christian is to look out for those less fortunate.

[@redknight801]

Joel Z. Williams Hey Joel...seriously...go f**k yourself!! Whiny little bitch!!

[@JoelZWilliams1]

redknight801 Awesome. Thanks for proving my point. stay classy.

[@DanTheCaptain]

I think you are taking your own personal opinion about a certain topic and mixing it in with what actually is being talked about. While I agree that it is annoying how people think this is something good, you are making the assumption that everyone who says that is christian or any other religious type. That is kind of ignorant of you. Just think about what you say first before you actually set it out for the world to see.

[@starman8225]

I lived in Arkansas for two months and I have no desire to ever set foot in that state again.

[@leonhenry4861]

Are the KKK still out that way?

[@starman8225]

@@leonhenry4861 didn't stay long enough to find out

[@leonhenry4861]

@@starman8225 Thanks for the tip, I'll skip that state

[@cameroncw8173]

Leon Henry they are.

[@cameroncw8173]

Leon Henry there are a lot of beautiful cities in Arkansas.

[@thekaerichtexas]

Not paying ur rent is stealing and it's not fair to the owners of the property

[@Luxmariiex]

I live in Little Rock and I can confirm that nothing has changed 😂

[@grandwonder5858]

I would like to grab that sleazy lawyer that represents the landlords by the neck and just smack the living daylight out him! He lies through his damn teeth and says that the law is fair and that there are very few people that go to jail because of their inability to satisfy the landords' demands. But how would we know this is true if the state would not even release the data that would show how many people have been going to jail because of their dispute with their landlord?

[@angelbianchi8580]

Just throw the whole state away

[@Nadiaxyz4]

😂

[@mnlight5873]

Hell no I live there and was born there -_-

[@HotTea1111]

@@alexandercoffman8319 what the hell is your problem? What kind of a person talks about shooting people like that. Get help.

[@angelcarias3579]

Lol 💀

[@trashh._.]

i live here & i agree 😂😭

[@lizm9115]

OMG if the landlord will not maintain their property in which the renters are living then it is the owners of the property that are stealing money from the tenants

[@damienholland9244]

This is the fate of all red state areas. You get what you vote for. Less or no regulation? Then more corporate or landlord abuse.

[@NTZClaw]

When did they decided to move in it should have been made understood that the landlord was not responsible for maintaining the property.

[@joshuagarner1654]

Just don't rent from those people?

[@joberry877]

Right! They are living in TERRIBLE conditions

[@joberry877]

@P C Wow...😐

[@beckacollins45]

I own my home and land, the note is fully paid so I have no worries, my cousin owns many rentals here in Arkansas and he keeps all of his properties in pristine condition and if a tenant has an issue he deals with it straight away, I wish it could be this way for all of these people.

[@i.p.7687]

Its a systemic problem, sadly this is capitalism in general.

[@rochelldhart1579]

I'm moving to El dorado Arkansas in September. Please provide your brothers name.

[@a.p.9387]

Does he have any in Jonesboro Arkansas ?

[@MattMBomb]

hey :) Im a realtor and airbnb host in California but am super interested in out of state rentals. Don't mean to obligate ya to anything on my account but if at anytime your cousin feels like giving some pointers it wouldn't be on deaf ears, thank you

[@Li-ck8ek]

Your cousin is a good person for taking care of those properties…sad that that seems to be the exception

[@kingwinky1914]

I grew up there and never knew that you could Legally be a slumlord.😢

[@travisversace9012]

Moral of the story? Arkansas is a great place to own rental properties.

[@CapCityMover]

Not only that, you don't have to even live in Arkansas to rent out properties. Must be a Landlords paradise.

[@sed0692]

yess i said the same

[@ryanmartinson2985]

And one would want to rent their properties because its the worst place to live

[@sed0692]

rent your property there live somewhere else

[@GeneHeim1]

Sounds like being a landlord in Arkansas is a pain in the ass. As Landlord you have to go to Court just to evict someone. They will probably trash the property on the way out the door because they are being ripped off. I'd rather be in a State where as a landlord I have to provide minimal services. I can then offer very good services, demand higher rent, get myself a hassle free set of Renters who will take care of my property, not have a bunch of drama and make my life go smoothly. The check shows up on time, the properties are safe, people are happy to live in my properties. Win/win

[@truediva18]

Landlords should be required to maintain their homes!

[@Toohot2handle758]

truediva18 you’re more than welcome to MOVE

[@overworkedcna412]

12: :47 Sure, and move to yet another uninhabitable home? That sounds fine 🙄 Even without a legal obligation, landlords have a _moral_ obligation to keep their properties habitable. You sound like someone who’s never been a landlord. My father is (he owns a 6-unit building) and I can tell you firsthand, that reasonable landlords should want to meet the needs of their tenants. If they don’t have that drive, they’re in the wrong fucking business. It’s about human decency. My dad’s a pretty wealthy guy, but he goes by the motto, “If _I_ wouldn’t live in that apartment, I wouldn’t let anyone else live in it.”

[@emilyalford3209]

It can around $1000 a month for a shack no joke

[@hdtvcamera1]

Renters should be responsible for damages. I have 2 units vacant that I'm not renting because I'm tired of dealing with renter bullshit

[@hunterhalo]

This, should be resealable, they live there then its their responsibility to maintain it isnt it? If they make a big hole in the wall then its the tenant job to fix it but if it is a light bulb, things that are therw before, then sure landlord should fix it

[@sylverlightz]

Debtors jail is unconstitutional under the 14th amendment, I would take the state of Arkansas to court and sue.

[@hannahgrace7819]

I lived in Northwest Arkansas for 17 years of my life. It’s a very nice place and I never had problems and would even move back. I had no idea this was a problem. Thanks for this perspective, I feel for these people.

[@Li-ck8ek]

I live in this region too, but I know I am very lucky to have a mortgage to pay instead of rent. We came from Texas last year because it was too expensive for us to rent or own there anymore even though we are born and raised Texans. I miss my home state but I am also appreciating what AR has to offer as much as I can. But knowing people are struggling so hard with renting is hard. I feel for them because we rented for quite a few years before we could buy a home. The housing situation in the US today is Uber extra turbo depressing for real

[@vapeking466]

I'm in NW Arkansas I have never paid late so haven't dealt with that. I did have the property management leave an evicted notice on my door once it said pay your past due rent or leave within 24hrs. I called and figured out they left it on the wrong door. I said don't you try and call the renter first he said no. I said well that's no way to run a respectable business he acted like he could care less. He is the Lindsey president in Fayetteville however it wasn't a Lindsey property it was an individual who had hired him for property management on the side. Very common in my neighborhood. I have saved money and busted my ass all my life to buy a home in cash and was about to when Covid hit then real estate got real stupid here. My landlord raised rent 3 times in two years! He also warned me if I stay another year it will go up again! When I lived in Oklahoma and rented I never once had my rent raised. A few landlords said to me as long as you pay in full and on time always I will never raise the rent. It's an incentive to stay and keeps him from having to move folks in so often. Now I'm waiting for the real estate crash and will also probably have to move to a less popular area. I'm retired so I can care less about the jobs in the area and I believe that plus a lack of supply after so many came here during Covid that has made buying or renting in NW Arkansas a ripoff in comparison to say Tulsa, OK. Or Joplin, Mo.

[@theshamlock]

Rented in Little Rock from a corporation that owns apartments. Paid my rent on time for five years. Never caused a problem. When I moved out they kept my deposit plus charged me extra. In Arkansas you are at least entitled to an itemized list of charges for claimed repairs after you've vacated a property. I requested this from them through an attorney (after trying to get it from the property manager three times). Through my lawyer, I informed them I was prepared to pay whatever they are legally entitled to receive for claimed damages. I never received any response from them. Instead, they turned me over to a collection agency. I had little recourse under Arkansas law. (And no the property was not damaged beyond normal wear & tear...I cleaned it and even shampooed the carpets when I moved out. Yet somehow I owed thousands of dollars.) I didn't pay it. I let it sit on my credit report. And after 7 years it rolled off. It did not prevent me from renting again and thankfully I never had an issue like this after. I own my own home now and I'm proud to say that even though this Arkansas property management corporation tried to ruin me financially back then, they didn't win.

[@ginoariel8697]

Eye opening as much as this vid was, thanks for sharing. and good for you for not paying anything for that collection.

[@ACE-fi2uv]

Wow... I'm glad you came out on top

[@fana406]

YAY!!! You won!!!!

[@joberry877]

Wooooowwww

[@jmitterii2]

If I paid money to shampoo the carpets, I would have taken pictures, and counter sued them. I maybe wrong, but even in a dumb state like that, I would guess you could still settle it all in court, to protect your credit. Being hoodwinked like that, no fucking way.

[@robertwhitelegge6000]

Arkansas law is a joke, i cant believe this can happen in the USA

[@jordandashaun]

i can

[@Thomreise]

Yeah! Because USA is heaven on Earth.

[@miracleman8022]

That’s good if they can’t pay they need to live

[@ohcamnam9383]

@@jordandashaun 💯✊🏾

[@ohcamnam9383]

@@Thomreise 😂😂😂

[@teahaul7897]

Sounds like the best state to be a landlord! No bums living in YOUR PROPERTY for free

[@Nicholas-fz5pv]

In New York landlords have had to sell their homes because people don't want to pay their rent and even then sometimes the tenant can still stay how are landlords supposed to pay their bills if the tenants don't

[@BLKENDOLLBARBIE]

Seems like a outdated plantation system.

[@robertpreskop4425]

Arkansas is a very poor, backward state. Go figure!

[@MiamYonly]

Sounds about white

[@ms.lolitagore5822]

Lol. Yup

[@Tyrac235]

Robert Preskop It's economy never caught up

[@shellstewart6712]

It is

[@alaneidson8348]

It's funny that Jason Bolden is in this talking about how "it is being blown out of proportion" when the apartment complex he owns was deemed unsafe to live in..

[@matialarry8614]

Which Ones... I Am From There

[@davidwoodby1416]

If you go to the local tax office in the county he lives you can find all the properties he owns. Then put him on blast. Hes making money off these people and represents tenants hmmm

[@LoneWolfRanging]

You can just get the assessor info online.

[@johnboys4697]

Alan Eidson slum lord

[@nyrobisingapore4204]

If Arkansas residents packed up & left the state, Arkansas would lose income & think about changing this UNFAIR law.

[@MrTwenty20video]

A real eye opener. I've heard Arkansas wasn't the best place to live. But ... Wow!

[@tantivymuckermaffikk]

I stayed in rural Arkansas for a week last year while visiting my girlfriend's family. She's from a small town about 2 hours south of Little Rock. The place is a wasteland. It's stuck 30 plus years in the past. The only thing to do in the town is shop at Walmart. Your dining choices are limited to Sonic, McDonald's, and the stuff you can find at the gas station. Also, it's a "dry" county, which means no alcohol and a 30 minute drive to the next county for a bottle of crap wine for dinner. No thanks.

[@flippinfireman]

tantivymuckermaffikk This sounds like Fordyce. Am I right?

[@waterwasps]

tantivymuckermaffikk dry county? Wow I've never heard of that before! (Most likely because I'm Australian) but wow that's ridiculous! I can't believe that's actually a real thing :s sounds like a terrible place to live tbh

[@justinmoody1179]

tantivymuckermaffikk Was it magnolia?Cause I'm from magnolia.

[@12Gates.]

they are everywhere in the "bible belt" or south.

[@atrzne]

It wasn't Pine Bluff was it?

[@leshiarichardson1305]

if it's criminal not to pay rent it should be just as criminal for landlord's not to maintain their properties

[@sarahburggraf861]

Leshia Richardson exactly!

[@markmurphy9625]

That sounds fair

[@evansusmc]

I noticed they did not give ANY detail on what needs to be maintained specifically. This is VERY subject to interpretation of what "maintain" is. Maintain the security of the house as in fixing the doors, door hinges, door locks? I can understand that. Maintaining the plumbing, heating and A/C? I can understand. The essentials do need to be maintained. But how many landlords are going to be happy about "maintaining" things that were carelessly broken by the tenants themselves? That's when things get complicated. One of my tenants dropped a screw driver down the toilet. And didn't say anything about it until it finally came to a nasty disaster. Long story short, I was expected to pay for the removal of the screwdriver and the mess the tenant made by continuing to flush the toilet til the it stopped working.

[@sarahburggraf861]

evansusmc that is messed up

[@WhatTheFrogDoing]

@@evansusmc i mean every other state managed to figure this one out. i believe arkansas can do it

[@_2hott4tvee]

I'm born and raised from little rock Arkansas, moved from there in 2012 😊 only go back to visit family 💯

[@atlas3870]

“Lawmakers in Arkansas meet only for a few months every two years to pass legislation”. Well it sure sounds like the lawmakers of Arkansas are bad at their only job

[@mr.hitchens]

Bet you they don't only get paid for a few months work, if you can really call it work? Get elected, forget your promises..... profit. Sickening.

[@laurenjones8080]

I grew up in Arkansas, I finally moved to TN when I turned 18. The jobs are awful, I've seen many friends deal with this situation very sad.

[@jimmiehelenbarneschickb8342]

So true but remember everyone isn't lucky to leave this state.

[@GAURAV25855ify]

Tennessee is better then Arkansas

[@Trund27]

It’’s a sick society that allows vulnerable people to be treated this way.

[@mattschamel6550]

You spelled lazy wrong.

[@gagetomerlin9822]

@matt schamel Says the guy who never worked a hard day in their pathetic life.

[@mattschamel6550]

@@gagetomerlin9822 was that an attempt at hurting my feelings? 😂😂😂 You wouldn't last a day in my footsteps. Close your mouth, you're ignorance is showing.

[@rebelsoldier2352]

@@mattschamel6550 they are so fucking lazy

[@sol8712]

​@@mattschamel6550 i got dumber from reading your comment. Im sorry for your life....

[@2esyplayz481]

I live in Arkansas and this is true, they tripping out here lol

[@abstractfactory8068]

I understand why they have this kind of laws in place, the same way there are nightmare landlords there are also nightmare tenants but the things should be more balanced, landlords should be forced to maintain their property under the same threat of imprisonment.

[@RealityRenovations]

Totally agree. A landlord should be able to get bad tenants out easily. But at the same time, landlords should not be allowed to neglect properties.

[@XIN455]

I can only imagine how it’s like now since COVID 🙁

[@soniespindola]

That town is going to be a ghost town..the county can try to do much to rebuild this community and making a better middle class county

[@michaelnieves5912]

This comment really brang my mood down I can only imagine

[@ima_blue_]

I live in nlr we good tbh 🤷🏽‍♀️🤷🏽‍♀️

[@IntuitiveGoat]

@@ima_blue_ Can I rent a room from you girl.. cause Little Rock is fucked.. LOL..

[@toniexum1126]

@@elizabella7165 Mercy...hope u r able to endure cold winter's.

[@Ineedmorelives]

If you take advantage of something that costs money, and you don't pay for it. It's called stealing. Occupancy is NOT 9/10ths of the law!

[@burgesskj]

It is not theft when you have the money and try to pay. All the landlord has to do is say the tenant was unable to pay WITHOUT PROOF, so that landlord can either raise the rent, or just make criminals of poor people.

[@bcpr9812]

Sometimes things come up that are beyond a tenant's control, like a medical emergency, or a bank/employer/government delay in the issue of income that, were it on time, would have arrived safely prior to the rent being due. When you are just scraping by in life, things have a way of kicking you while you're down, despite your best efforts to improve your situation. I know, I've been there, and it's not fun. In the event of these unfortunate circumstances, it makes sense to leave a bit of wiggle room, act like a compassionate human being in what is a civil (not criminal) matter, and not respond with a disproportionate, nuclear reaction like kicking someone out of their home and onto the street on short notice. Where I am from, the legislation allows a notice of eviction (with the date of eviction set at a minimum of 10 days from posting the notice) to be issued if the rent is even a day late. HOWEVER, the tenant has the first 5 days to either pay the rent owing or apply for dispute resolution (say, if they tried to pay the landlord, but the landlord is refusing to accept it, in order to have an excuse to kick them out of their home), to get a stay of eviction. Landlords and tenants are also each responsible for certain maintenance and repairs, here, as standards of human habitability and property value must be upheld, which is only fair in a balanced contract between two parties. The degree to which tenancy contracts in Arkansas are skewed in the landlords' favour is so severe, even Helen Keller could see that shit.

[@tcironbear21]

Come back when your corrupt landlord wants to evict you so he can rent your home out for more money. Let's see if you still favor the landlord.

[@Ineedmorelives]

TC Coltharp We rent for 1 year at a time here. We agree on payment every month. After that one year, he can raise the rent if he wants because we only made a term for one year. We have already moved once due to the landlord wanting more money. It is his house, it is his right to do that. Think about owning a house and having some people in it for nearly TWO years (in other states) without them paying rent, and with them tearing up YOUR property. The law is in favor of the renter because occupancy is 9/10ths the law! The only way they get them out is if the bank owns the house. If you're a private owner /landlord; you get screwed over. If someone is paying, they should have to move out. Now if you're seriously ill and in the hospital, and you cannot pay because you cannot work, that is a different circumstance all together. You should still have to move out, but you should be given more time to find another place to live. Not 10 days, and not 2 years! People have to be decent to one another, and these laws are not equal or fair to anyone.

[@SkepDicked]

Ineedmorelives Are you stupid? I think his comment went right over your head. If a landlord wants you out, he can simply say that you didn't pay rent on time and evict you in 10 days. Why would he do that? If the property is worth more money, he can get you out immediately and have someone else in within a few days, who will pay more. I work in a hospital and a pharmacy, I've gotten called in before and had to be a day late on rent. Well in Arkansas, they can evict you for that....and it's very difficult for me to plead my case.

[@ambassadorforchrist2241]

Things are starting to fall into place. I understand what I am experiencing now. Thank you for the video.

[@MWolfe1080]

How can failure to pay rent be criminal and not civil. Someone needs to appeal these cases, and the fact that the records are not public wtf. Someone needs to sue the ARA.

[@EJCraig-uw4mg]

I live In Arkansas and this is so true. I fuckin hate it here.

[@Junior2uu]

Did the law change?

[@Deathclock-od3sv]

Pay your damn rent!

[@Junior2uu]

Deathclock 5000 shut up narrow minded jancrow

[@mikegemcity26]

+Deathclock 5000 I agree pay your rent. but if you get sick injured or laid off in every other state you have thirty days and then a thirty day eviction process have you ever tried to save a months rent along with a deposit on a very small income due to unforseen circumstances and to do it in ten days come on be realistic also if you have a human being living in your home and you have them pay rent then take care of your property instead of expecting ppl to live and pay you in a hell hole. also not a liberal im conservative.

[@mikegemcity26]

+Deathclock 5000 as a conservative I believe in free trade and capitalism so if I have a home and I want to rent it out I want to keep it appealing as possible for renters to get the best profit avaliable so that means maintaining it to keep ppl happy to want to stay so I keep making money and when they move I wont have to spend a fortune renovating it because I did the maintence to keep it in shape. ppl

[@anastasiagirl1342]

Arkansas is the worst state period.

[@waterygraves1]

Who lives there!?!? Im from NYC idk where this place is even at! lol

[@kitno6415]

*cough florida *cough

[@Primalxbeast]

Kaan Ersöz It's actually quite nice here in Florida. You couldn't pay me to live in Arkansas again.

[@liz2880]

The Duggar state.

[@adorkable1186]

I would say its on its period but that should be a complement.

[@The_Wizard_Owlin_Celestial]

I live in Tennessee when I rented out property it took me 3 months to get tenants out for not paying rent

[@The_Wizard_Owlin_Celestial]

@Jesus Saves yeah and I gave them plenty of time to pay it to they were late every time it was ridiculous

[@L6Jeremy]

This is absolutely insane

[@ArtandAlchemy]

Not maintaining the property is criminal

[@amiratarik-un7dq]

Not in Arkansas haha

[@jayyyzeee6409]

It's worse than criminal. It's a bad business practice. Why would you let your property become devalued?

[@bryanmiller476]

Jayyy Zeee because as long as they can get way with it, they just force the current renter to keep paying rent no matter how shitty the property is But only when a new renter is looked for, then they fix it up just enough to get another renter on a contract and make them easy money without much effort on their part

[@claraht.6999]

@@bryanmiller476 CORRECT. No mention of a lease. I understand NORMAL renter obligations, but if the property owner letting the place place go to pot,isn't a renter issue. Rent to own? No, just rent.

[@thetallrafay]

I feel like Arkansas is the type of place you'd move to if you're an ex-serial killer, who's now a drug addict and wants to live a quiet shady life in a gloomy place.

[@RULERofCERTAINthings]

Nailed it.

[@thetallrafay]

Randy Tortilla literally i wasnt even being sarcastic

[@earthsurfer13]

Hanz Wickter The shame is that Arkansas is an outdoor lovers paradise but the locals are ignorant and the police are nazi's.

[@deborahwilde6345]

I think some might lol! How ever for my self I have been looking into moving to Arkansas to build my house some where in or around the Ozark Mountains where its beautiful all 4 seasons, the winters are more mild then the winters we have here in Chicago, and the gang life out here in Chi Town is just as bad

[@deborahwilde6345]

earthsurfer13 I agree with you Earthsurfer13 that is the whole reason I wont to move there but not right in the city limits near the Ozark! We are nature lovers and look to make it home one day, but I have heard about problem in Little Rock and a few other locations! Maybe they need some new blood to help them change the way their living in some areas

[@carvellthedon]

Basically a “I’m the only one who matters” video. As someone living in Arkansas, it’s extremely easy to afford rent if you’re responsible. Rent is not expensive here, and the ones who say it is, are 100% being facetious. They just aren’t responsible and more than likely have bad credit, aren’t clean, and don’t pay rent on time which are all important. If you can’t afford it, try to find a roommate.

[@renaoconnor44]

The rent here is horrible for the area. After the pipeliners left, the rents stayed high and most people can't afford housing here. Even the apartments are too expensive for wages here. It's not reasonable anymore.

[@deltaqueen8164]

I hate to be the one to pop your bubble, but that's not necessarily true. Me and my husband have 4 kids, have always paid our rent, paid our bills, and I have always kept a clean home. We rented from Billy Ford Rentals in Marion. We complained about raw sewage under our house, he didn't fix it, the problem continued, I called code enforcement, they couldn't help, I refused to pay rent until it was fixed. They never fixed it so I moved out unannounced, never paid a penny of what I owed them. We put a new central air system in to keep the kids cool cause the summers are extremely hot in the Delta region, and they wouldn't take it off our rent after we agreed to it. They didn't tell us that it had a bedbug problem, just told us to spray before we moved in..... I rented from the Fogleman in West Memphis. The toilet partially fell in floor, the tub shocked my husband and workers who came to fix the floor, the kitchen ceiling looked like a water fall when it rained, we found black mold growing, we have a son with asthma. Fogleman wouldn't fix anything, I refused to pay until he fixed it properly cause I paid my rent on time every month...he didn't fix it so I moved unannounced from there and told him if he wanted his past rent to take me to court....he never did. Rented in Proctor from a woman, her daughter lived 2 doors down from the place, the daughter kept showing up to my house after I would leave for work trying to screw around with my husband, he told me it made him uncomfortable and he didn't want her coming there after I left for work. I talked to her and her mom about it and the crazy folks evicted me for telling the girl to stop trying to screw around with my husband. so yes Arkansas does have it's amount of slumlords.

[@carvellthedon]

@@deltaqueen8164 yeah

[@carvellthedon]

@@renaoconnor44 btw I just saw this ignorance, I was able to pay for school for and rent simultaneously while being 18-22 now have a home at 26. You just sound irresponsible from your reply to me. If you’re in Arkansas rent is cheap. Lol. People are moving here daily from out of state cause of how much cheaper living is in Arkansas, and Mississippi.

[@jenniferwilson6673]

I've lived in arkansas my entire life (first Pine Bluff then Bentonville) and it's not as bad in North West Arkansas. Central Arkansas is a totally different world.

[@truthlamon]

Facts!

[@Ana-ox7co]

Very true

[@JR-kw3be]

Yep

[@d1st0rtdgr4]

Yeah nwa is completely different literally reminds me of texas where i used to live

[@TheTonialadd]

This video is still accurate even after six years. My niece lived in a complex where maggots kept falling down from the ceiling. She kept complaining, slumlord wouldn’t do anything. She moved out. Turned out there was a dead body in the apartment above her... it is seriously that bad. My son was living in the bad part of Little Rock. There wasn’t any screens in the windows, or locks. No A/C so he had to leave the windows open. His neighbors were selling meth and other drugs right there in front of their house. They broke into my son’s house twice and beat him up because the door locks didn’t work. I finally made him move after the front of his place was shot up. The landlords are terrible in Arkansas! I could go on....

[@ConnieBTV]

This story is a mess!

[@natebailey1122]

Everything is terrible in Arkansas

[@boneyn3661]

Not surprised, seeing as he moved to the 'hood of Arkansas.

[@carvellthedon]

@@natebailey1122 no, just a lot of people like this example have a “me first” attitude.

[@carvellthedon]

@@natebailey1122 no, just a lot of people like this example have a “me first” attitude.

[@cybrpypr]

Never live in Arkansas. This is an example of the State law usurping the National Constitutional rights and the Serfs abusing this state law to make more $$$ and to evict people whenever they want and to oppress the tenants with something that is not even a crime in other states. There is not even an appeal process for their unjust eviction. When is the law of the land and the rights of civil eviction of the land going to apply to all. This also costs the tax payers as a result of the state law putting the eviction and criminal processing, even the time in jail on the taxpayers to fund.

[@thecandide]

You don't have a Constitutional right to occupy someone else's property against their will. The use of law enforcement reduce the risk of violence, discourages property damage, and helps other renters by quickly vacating tenants who can no longer afford the homes they're in.

[@thecrashcoarse]

thecandide Or you could see this realistically. I understand the right to kick out a tenant who won't pay, but the land lords here stop accepting payment against the lease, they lie about the real issues, they refuse to make any improvements to a home that should otherwise be labelled uninhabitable. These laws started, and continue, because of greed.

[@RaphaelSloanYusukeUrimeshi]

thecandide The reason the landlords are blocking laws to force them to maintain their properties is justified because??

[@firebad0]

thecandide i live in arkansas. people here aren't rich. almost all of my friends are living paycheck to paycheck. when they get sick, injured, or have family issues, etc. and are unable to work, they don't get paid. then they get jailed. it's like being sick or giving a shit about your family is a crime.

[@thecrashcoarse]

And BESIDES what we have all already mentioned, this law DOES equate to a debtors prison which is against all national and International laws! Not that our beautiful, loving, oh so caring country gives a flying fuck about international laws... Even the ones that WE created!

[@daviddee9336]

Thank you for reporting this. I would never have believed this could be true prior to watching this. More people should be see this.

[@ImNotADeeJay]

No rent, no home. I'm not in the business of giving free accomodation

[@greenmonstress]

So glad I saw this video. Never living in Arkansas!!

[@victoriacrudup3477]

same! crossing that off the list for good!

[@aquastar7315]

@@victoriacrudup3477 This seriously makes the state look bad. I lived there for five years before moving to Florida. Arkansas is like any other state I have lived in. Most of it was taken in down town LR, the worst part of the state.

[@robertl6711]

Like you were even thinking about moving there right?

[@nonyabizness.original]

i spent 2 months in and around fayetteville, arkasas. great town, beautiful country. when i decided to stay awhile and began looking for a place to rent, i was BLOWN AWAY by their rental practices. being a former landlord and also a tenant in my life, i had four seperate ~astounding~ experiences talking to arkansas landlords and being offered their leases. then i researched the laws/lack of ANY LAWS, and hightailed it out of there. i could literally write a book on this experience. this criminal part of it is only ONE aspect of arkansas rental f*ked-up-edness. their lease is not really a lease- it 's you taking a LOAN from the landlord. it says that upon signing, you owe ALL the money for the whole year right now, but the landlord is giving you a LOAN for that amount, which you pay BACK to the landlord every month. in order to get this 'loan' from the landlord, you sign away ALL your possessions as ~collateral~. then, if for any reason the landlord wants you gone, s/he can CHANGE THE LOCKS WITHOUT NOTICE and keep all your sh*t as payment for the 'loan', because regardless how long you stay, you took out the whole year rent as a lump-sum 'loan' as of the very first day. and when i say "for any reason", i mean it. if the water heater breaks and YOU don't fix it, they can call in the 'loan' PLUS kick you out PLUS take all your stuff PLUS press criminal charges PLUS charge YOU for any damage caused by the water heater breaking. they can also walk into your home whenever they want, for any reason or no reason. no notice. yeah. because again, the lease is not a lease, it's a loan agreement that has nothing to do with the property. the 'loan' is strictly pawning all your sh*t for enough money to pay a year's rent, and during that year, your pawned possessions are stored in the landlord's building where he can repo them if you pizz him/her off. the property never gets leased to you, never gets transferred for your exclusive use. so it, and the use of it, remain 100% the landlord's. yes, s/he can decide to let you stay in the property, because it is theirs to do what they want with it. but you have no more right to be in it than a HOUSE GUEST.

[@BuddyRevell455]

Cool. The state only needs ppl that will pay their rent.

[@kenbob1071]

So if you're poor you can go to jail for missing one rent payment, but if you're a CEO that declares bankruptcy because your corporation can't pay its debts, you get a bonus.

[@daresk1]

Ken Bob or if you are rich you get a tax break but poor you might go to jail for not paying taxes or Irs can just take it out of your check without asking you.

[@cesar5478]

See how fucked up that shit is!

[@idwtgymn]

Worst place to rent if your goal is to steel the use of the property from the owner by not paying your rent. If you are an honest person who will either pay or leave what you don't pay for, you have no problem.

[@fadeblac5633]

This is disgusting. People have no rights when renting. They a day late landlords can evict. Landlords doesn't have to keep up their property. But, you have to pay the rent on a run down places. Insane.

[@meghanharris6502]

I live on the Texas Arkansas border and I was looking at apartments on the Arkansas side because its cheaper but now id rather just pay more to live in Texas and avoid jail if I'm late on rent.

[@frederickjohnsonjr.1731]

You must live in Tk

[@ImNotADeeJay]

How about just not being late?

[@The_-_-]

@@ImNotADeeJay well sometimes it’s an honest mistake. Sometimes people just forgot for whatever reason. Nobody should go to jail for that.

[@Val-kp6fs]

@@ImNotADeeJay not everyone always has that luxury. What if you’re a single parent or a person on a fixed income like SSI or disability and bc of that you barely get by as it is and then your car breaks down or you have a medical emergency. I have health insurance through my employer and my copay just the copay for the ER is $600. Imagine having that bill and needing groceries and to pay rent but it’s still 2 more wks until another ck so you do the best you can and are $100 short w the rent. That IMO doesn’t mean you should go to jail. Then you’d lose your job & any housing you had while in there. You already had no savings to begin w so you essentially went from barely getting by to no job & homeless bc of it. It seems like a way to prey on the poor.

[@TherealAsanD]

Who the hell in their right mind would ever in history decide they want to LIVE in Arkansas

[@dumpstermaster104]

I almost moved there, thank God I didn't!!!

[@s.e.f8160]

most people that live in Arkansas are born there. Furthermore, most live in poverty so “deciding” to move isn’t an option

[@soontobexpat]

If you're poor you can't afford to move

[@lilitharam44]

No one that could afford not to. That's the problem. These poor families can't afford to get away from there or have family members they can't leave behind, like elderly parents.

[@tiamystic]

My dad was forced to move for his job

[@fewt8254]

My family is trying to leave Arkansas, it’s been the most difficult 3 years of my life and I can’t wait to leave my home town

[@dwightstone6569]

😢 why are we doing this as Landlords!! We need to stop abusing the system

[@vbian88]

In NJ the laws works in the reverse and instead favor squatters and late payers and people who flat out refuse to pay. The law in Arkansas is too extreme.

[@Columbakin]

Victor Bian UK squatting laws allow solo many illegal raves...wooo

[@timmyd5669]

Victor Bian ..Im a landlord in Arkansas and I maintain my properties well.....pay your fucking bills on time or lose your house...the same thing happens when you default on a car or mortgage payment. its that simple. The rest of the states should follow suit.

[@vbian88]

I am also a homeowner. What bothers me is how the law protects squatters who refuse to pay and feel entitled to live free. About 2 years I rented to a couple who decided they were entitled to live rent free and refused to pay for 6 months until I evicted them. The property was clean and well maintained. It cost me hundreds of dollars in fees and time off from work to evict these losers. I learned my lesson. When I rent I run a thorough background check and insist on a credit report. Homeowners need to stick together.

[@samlocust4600]

yes here in california i ask for their work number an ask their employer if work will be consistent , i also call their previous landlord to learn their rent history , it seems rude but they should understand if they dont something may be up

[@vbian88]

Sam locust I also do the same . It's painful but necessary.

[@janelin6083]

"landlords are not required by law to maintain their properties." WHAT?!?!?! "tenants are treated as criminals for paying rent late" _WHAT?!?!?!_ Is this Arkansas or _Angola?_

[@tuuexx]

trust us, its here ,and now,in the good ol' U.S.A. i'm here ,livin the dream.

[@janelin6083]

tuuexx In California, landlords have to maintain the property by law. Failure to do so, means the tenants have the right to withhold rent, "repair and deduct," sue, or move out without notice or rent liability. Some of the things I hear about other states makes it hard to believe we're one country. =/

[@tuuexx]

yeah,i do often miss a lot about living in Cali. ,we moved out here from Cali. I was born there ,and spent most of my life on the Central Coast.i was blown away when i found out about having no rights as a renter.Also ,having a decent landlord helps.thanks for the time ,and thoughts,your right.

[@janelin6083]

tuuexx Wow, Central Coast to Arkansas? Culture shock? The closest I've ever even _visited_ to Arkansas is probably Savannah, GA. Unless a 6 layover at Dallas/Ft. Worth counts. It _has_ to change, right? I read up a bit, and Arkansas is the _only_ state without _any_ renter's rights. Wasn't "center-left progressive" Bill Clinton governor there for, like, almost a _decade?_ =/ It's _gotta_ change. *What Arkansas is doing is Un-American.* By definition. =)

[@tuuexx]

totally, and then some...been here for 15 yrs. thinking about moving back...to VERY high bills, 1000 $ rent ,and no chance to ever buy some land....thanks for the thoughts,and peace ! : D

[@neruashikabi2409]

we need these rent laws in California

[@PlanetJigobotTV]

I'm for the evictions to a point. This 100% prevents squatting. Not having to make repairs on your rental is criminal though. Are they allowed to just move out if you don't fix my AC?

[@arguy_4420]

depends on the contract you signed, you might get penalized. It's crazy what some people will use for homes here, you see barely standing trailer homes and people using RV's or campers permanently in some parks since there's no rule saying you can't

[@Nivedoloplad]

What a garbage state honestly.. landlords can still evict if they chose to not accept payment from tenant they don't like.. or immediately can if it's a day late? They also don't have to do any upkeep or maintenance on their properties? Sounds like slumlords

[@softshock89]

CookieGod666 Has

[@kaasis85]

I think if you offer to pay cash which is legal tender then the debt is considered paid whether or not landlord accepts it. Money orders are not legal tender.

[@lisastassi4500]

Yeah, and you know what? Amazingly, Arkansans wonder why out of state businesses might be leery of doing business with the state or within the state. There's a real attitude in Arkansas of "This is Arkansas and this is how we do things here" and it's hard to overcome. The lawyers know, but they don't want to talk about it. If you want to have some real fun with an Arkansas attorney, try to get him or her explain how their rental laws could possibly be constitutional. Whatever they may say, what they are thinking is, "This is Arkansas and this is how we do things here." No one EVER holds them accountable. I feel sorry for the various chambers of commerce. They don't really understand what they are up against.

[@khanbibi]

That is so unfair and utter bullshit

[@damienholland9244]

Republican morals on display. Less to no regulation against abuses. People have more rights in blue states. That's not a coincidence. Vote Democrat or Green but never Repub or Libertarian and the country will get better.

[@PhiloAmericana]

Welcome to Arkansas. The people here love to exploit the poor. If you're driving in a run-down vehicle, the police in this state will make it their life's mission to harass you. If you're poor and live in a bad side of town, it's highly probable that the landlord you're renting from will fuck you pretty significantly by failing in their duties. You have no rights as an employee. You have few rights in our courts. Many Arkansans stay poor because the society is structured in such a way as to exploit those that have less. This is obvious on its face. You could go back to Jim Crow, slavery, the plantation institutions, etc. It's deeply ingrained in this pathetic state.

[@jeezig12]

I mean, I guess it's bad in the poor areas of Arkansas. I've lived in Arkansas about 90% of my life and never really experienced anything that you mention... And I'm a minority, lol. It probably has to do with where you live, though. Everything seems fine in North West Arkansas. You have the malls, the University of Arkansas, Wal-Mart headquarters, etc. Where have you lived in Arkansas? I've been in the Rogers/Bentonville area since I moved here 10 years ago. I don't know... I find NWA a nice place to live (:

[@lilkay1111]

Arkansas don't exploit its poor, I'm was born and raised in arkansas. And we help them get off the street . Shut the fuck up

[@supernobody9000]

I live in arkansas and i can 100% back this up

[@shaneboettcher8016]

Thank goodness I live in Queensland Australia and sometimes in New Zealand

[@razedbywolvs6348]

jeezig12 Harrison, total shithole. I would rate the police at about 8 out of 10. But the police are just useless because the entire population is rotten. There is a big Meth problem that no one wants to address and you have to chain down all your stuff or some one will steel it. There is a huge problem with the local churches being leaches on the people rather than helping them. Arkansas is not exployting the poor. The biggest problem in AK is the people. If I was to guess on the cause of the problem I would say they shelter there children to much.

[@rangerismine]

This should be titled, the best state to own a rental house.

[@jarlaxle3588]

This is completely insane. I live in Missouri and here Landlords must fix/maintain property, and eviction is a civil action that they file which gives you 30-90 days to get out (30 automatically, but you can ask court for extensions and you will almost always get at least one extension). The system they describe in this video for Arkansas is barbaric and disgusting.

[@majesticgee7610]

So you're saying it's better that the person can stay for 30 to 90 days and ask for an extension? Keep it in mind that he's not paying. but the owner still has to pay their mortgage for them 3 to 4 months, fix up all the damage and try to rent it out. probably going to go 6 to 8 months without being any income from that property that each money has to pay on.

[@jeromykriege]

I used to live in Arkansas (Redfield) I moved from Vegas to Arkansas and quickly moved back. The pay is well below average and they tax you to death. Beautiful state but still stuck in the 1890's.

[@butterflyy.4040]

so is Texas. they're not any where up to the par that you'd think they are. Cali is running circles around Texas.

[@chrisea]

Tf you talking about? I was paid $8.25 to take food to a table(only responsibility I had) in Texas which is way above minimum wage plus tip out. My dad lives in Cali and his job pays him $100k a year to teach at medical equipment company which is barely enough to live off because of the cost of living with 2 animals and a wife. My dad is moving back to Georgia to be the director of the lab here and make around the same amount while the cost of living here is pretty cheap.

[@mytkiwi5975]

Jeromy Kriege I lived in red field as a child. Crazy.

[@warywolfganged8515]

Jeromy Kriege nope

[@rogerhoke9725]

Well California is a fucking mess that will lose most of its tax payers in the next 25 years and will be left with those who don't work and aren't even legally in this country, so I have no idea where your brain is making up this information you are spilling out.

[@Omegaredhs]

Because Arkansas wasn't already an already unattractive and depressing place to live all by it self.

[@sydnidavis5266]

If you dont like nature this isnt the place for you. Although we might not have nothing here trust the views are amazing

[@saintwoe]

@@sydnidavis5266 you just said there’s nothing. What would there be to view you idiot. Why defend this depressing ugly place??

[@omomeidontaya3143]

@@saintwoe That’s what she’s using to console herself.

[@tannerhadra803]

Can confirm, but I got a cool building owner, she just did a purge of drug addicts and remodeling the outside and inside! But I can only imagine how others feel in our state :(

[@danielhaynes1618]

I was born in Pocahontas Arkansas and it was a poor county but god I miss it. Cause it was when times was simple and not so complicated like now and our landlord fixed everything there

[@CaptchaNeon]

So basically they enjoy being slumlords? It's disgusting to know that's how their renters are treated.

[@TekoKYLO]

Captcha C goes both ways. in Florida it's horrible. If you rent to someone or rent a room in your house you literally cannot kick them out. If you have the money for the legal process it takes up to three months . That's three months of no rent while someone is tearing up your property. Three months of someone who hates you living with you in your home and won't pay you a dime running up your bills. I don't agree with the criminal.aspect but there should be an opportunity to quickly remove someone out of your house or off your property for failure to pay rent or abusing you in your own home. Who wants to rent to.someone and get paid nothing .

[@RiouInsuiko]

I never heard of this before. In fact, I'm in full support of it. I would guess that 99% of the people who are against landlord rights have never been and/or never will be land owners. Tenants can drag you through the mud elsewhere. Try MA for example. A tenant can blatantly disregard all rules (of which they signed upon before being allowed to move in) and literally not pay ANY rent for up to 6 months, and still be allowed months to vacate. You can have a scumbag tenant basically stealing from you for up to a year and there's not much you can do about it. They can do this for literally no reason as well. Sure, you can prosecute them, but that's not even guaranteed either. What if the landlord relies on rent of their properties for their own rent/mortgage? I've dealt with bullshit like that, I've had apartments being held up, basically stolen from me, when I expected/relied upon getting $2,400 rent per month. It's fair that you, as the land owner, are forced to pay/take a loss of over $20,000 because someone decides not to pay rent? I don't disagree that there needs to be protection for tenants or renters, from asshole landlords, but when you do everything for people, including remodels and upkeep, shoveling snow, landscaping, etc and all of the sudden they decide not to pay, you should be able to give them the boot with minimal effort.

[@Kollin011]

I always thought you could just give an eviction notice and the police would come escort the tenants off the property in due time. This is the first I heard of people staying months on end without paying rent. I also agree that the tenants should at least be protected from dishonest landlords.

[@TheJohn8765]

Let's translate this to mortgages, shall we? Ten days late on your mortgage payment means you get evicted and possibly sent to jail. What, *now* you're not in favour of it? Whyever not... those damned deadbeat people can take months to vacate the bank's property. *What a nightmare*. /sarcasm

[@RiouInsuiko]

TheJohn8765 To be fair, I didn't elaborate enough. For one thing, I don't necessarily agree with it being a criminal offense unless it's habitual and can be proven as such. Secondly, and more importantly, I'm in full support of how quickly this process can be. According to this video, while you can be evicted for being late on your rent, it's not automatically dealt with that way. It's basically up to the landowner's discretion; There's no law stating that a person or people are required by law to leave a property due to a late payment. I wouldn't try to evict a tenant for being late on one month's rent, but if it was consistent and they proved to be unreliable by making it a habit, I should be able to evict them. After all, when you rent a property you are subject to an agreement between the land/property owner and the renter. If you knowingly violate these terms, you are to be held accountable. It's fair, and maybe harsh to an extent, but again, if the owner relies on that income, you could basically be taking food off of their table by refusing to pay.

[@RiouInsuiko]

***** It's a civil matter, yes. However theft is a crime. If your house is robbed, would you call the police? I'd guess that the great majority of people would. Even if it's just to file a report, it's still dealt with government officials. If you're reliant on the income from renting properties, you have an existing need to consistently receive that income. If someone decides to take something for free, even if it's something simple as living space, and not pay you what they agreed to, how is that anything other than theft?

[@RiouInsuiko]

Kollin011 In this case, the year long process of an eviction was due to a tenant of mine inviting SEVERAL other people into the property to live there without my consent. They also agreed, prior to being allowed to move in, that they would not do so. Most importantly, the structure was not fire safety rated to hold that many people. One of the people who moved in had a child with them; That's where the nightmares begin. I don't want to see any child homeless, but it's not my responsibility or obligation to provide said home for a child (or anyone for that matter) because they decide to squat on another person's property. I was also heavily reliant on the income because I had recently remodeled an entire apartment in the same building which had costed close to $50,000 and I was responsible for that. Luckily I had enough to get by without receiving rent until they moved out, but had I not, I would have been in deep trouble.

[@idwtgymn]

The median rent in Arkansas is $1,350. This is $675 less than the national median. Not allowing free loading is a part of that relative affordability. Responsible rent paying tenants pay for the expense of complex legal processes and unpaid occupancy associated with typical evictions in this country.

[@user-fx8ku6oe3v]

shut up incel

[@KingHarambe_RIP]

I feel like I almost owe Mississippi an apology for the things I’ve called it after seeing this.

[@melaniexoxo]

Can people start publishing the names of the landlords? Sometimes public shame will help if local laws wont.

[@laetrille]

Good idea!!

[@apocalypse2571]

That's a great idea. Even launching a website that will list landlord information. Like Rate My Professor, people can rate their landlord and prospecting tenants can see whose good to rent from. The problem with this is that most landlords in AR don't have a good reputation I bet

[@sinsenest]

Dear Vice, can you please do a video on FEMA camps? Thanks

[@ceannasai5731]

+a_slight_veneer_of_privacy Nice post Mr. 😁

[@brianpruett114]

lambchopxoxo Liberalism is truly a mental disorder!!!!

[@kushkush1385]

Who TF want to live in Arkansas anyway

[@squiggermcghee3650]

Kush Kush I live in Arkansas and it’s so awful here

[@bigdumptruck807]

I live in Arkansas and it’s not awful but it’s definitely not great. I’d get out if I could.

[@justarandomcat6869]

It’s not that bad, though it isn’t the best.

[@iwanttobeaturtle3350]

I love it here

[@lela2216]

I hear Pine Bluff is pretty bad!

[@maulroller5497]

READ YOUR LEASE AGREEMENT THOROUGHLY! I live and rent here. Yes, some places suck and like many other people, I'm working to buy my own home. I cannot stress enough the importance of reading the lease agreement, it's a legal contract.

[@heysmg2325]

Yeah I agree with this. I live near the projects here in Hotsprings AR and people struggle with this

[@worldofvikram]

I'm from India and yet, believe me, this really looked like some third world place! Can't believe this was America that I just saw...even the smaller towns here are livelier and perhaps better on various fronts.

[@bg147]

+World Of Vikram I live in Southern Illinois and it looks the same.

[@user-xb3vp9tf5w]

That's a damn lie. You need to watch the episode showing ppl shitting in the street and disease running rampant.

[@HogzNhOrnsfan12]

You can go to almost any town and find bad parts and neighborhoods just like in India

[@daved5662]

+World Of Vikram I've to India. This looks like paradise compared.

[@jackmiddleton2080]

+Discofreestyle Actually it is quite the opposite. It is way more mainstream to say America is going down hill. You're the one brainwashed. Nifty.

[@Nessagaa]

Me living in Arkansas reading the title of this video: 😐

[@brendabailey4319]

Me too

[@davidtoddvlogs3486]

Same here

[@talkdattrashimmapullyacard4396]

Me too 😔

[@lel3450]

Jenessa Atkinson I would say adopt minimalist furniture in case of anything.

[@b105n8]

Get out now...

[@robertmcgee7083]

Sucks for renters that stiff the landlords. Great place to be a landlord. A rental unit is your home as long as you pay, stop paying, and it’s not your home. A rental car is the same way.

[@pauliexcluded1]

Who has been jailed for not paying rent? And you should be evicted for non payment ...what the hell man?... You don't have a constitutionally protected right to live in someone else's house!!!

[@nightrider3067]

Never living in Arkansas

[@MarsheiraDay8833]

@Klaa2 no it's not

[@MarsheiraDay8833]

@Klaa2 k sure

[@Tyrac235]

Klaa2 I mean the government doesn't seem to care or do anything the people dont have the money to take action they are kinda stuck until the economy somehow catches up

[@belamiopus5972]

Klaa2 you are correct,the south is the epitome of filth, hypocrisy, arrogance and prejudice people.A degenerate environment.

[@Rhythmicons]

Arkansas has some of the cheapest property values in the country. This means you can have a mansion for substantially cheaper than you can get one anywhere else. There are benefits and drawbacks to living here.

[@drfus1166]

I forgot Arkansas was even a state.

[@adammiddleton2503]

@Jack Van Berg Kansas ain't no better buddy

[@JenniferGarcia-yj3jo]

SAAAAMMMMEEEEE

[@MovieBuffReal]

That's because you smoke too much weed and drink too much booze. Those kill brain cells!

[@lauraann5185]

Right! who the hell would move there.

[@lauraann5185]

Another way to oppress black people or poor people how is this lawful ?

[@nickconner8443]

This is a bogus documentary. We own rental properties in Little Rock. There is Code Enforcement for Rental properties which require landlords to make repairs. Also, renters who fail to pay rent are often given multiple opportunities to make it right. Not only are there real slum lords, there are real slum tenets, who move in multiple people not on the lease, animals, and then consistently fail to pay rent on time. We have had brand new restored properties destroyed, costing us thousands of dollars. We have extended the allowance for people to stay until they find another place. Their appreciation was leave the place in filth and destruction. People with victim narratives never change.

[@AltaMirage]

Thanks for the clarification. I do feel for renters who are vulnerable or mistreated by slumlords. I also own rental properties and do the renovations and upkeep with my own hands, and meticulously, but am also careful in choosing organised, moral tenants with whom I like to develop a personal rapport. Landlords are almost always unfairly and universally villainised by the left wing media (read almost all of it) and Vice "news" is certainly a leftist channel.

[@frankmayfield5595]

Born, raised, and live in Arkansas for 74 years and I have never had a problem with a landlord pay your rent and you will have a place to live it's that simple.

[@Dispo030]

Good for you. But what if you slip on a banana peel and your insurance doesn't cover all of the exorbitant amount the hospital charges? Your statement is tone deaf. It hurts the economy greatly to treat people like this.

[@frankmayfield5595]

@@Dispo030 shouldn't have been dumb enough to put a banana peel on the floor that's what a trash can is for and we are not talking about insurance we are talking about people not paying rent. Pay your rent and you will have a home it's that simple.

[@anonsmith3064]

That doesnt solve all the ancient diesels polluting everything

[@JuicedUpLemon]

Who the fuck would want to live in Arkansas? 😒

[@ztellers27]

And black folks still love the Clintons. SMDH

[@minorka2]

Mr.andMrs Steven & Daisy Honeymoon-Gilbert black people on welfare

[@Mittie98]

Don Tyson, the waltons, the Clinton's and Rockefeller are originally from Arkansas. There are beautiful natural waterfalls and mountains there.

[@jaysammichmcfancypants4299]

it may be beautiful, but the laws here are completely backwards

[@martyleonard1937]

I live in Arkansas and its a beautiful and peaceful place to live. I've literally never had an issue with any landlords. Pretty shitty short film for multiple reasons but I ain't bothered.

[@drd360]

Sounds like Athens, Ohio corrupt Landlords...except in Ohio the Landlord must maintain the property or the Tenant WILL win their cases....Arkansas MUST change these statutes...

[@amazingsupergirl7125]

I lived in Arkansas for 19 years and never saw any of this. But, I had never been to the poor 3/4 of the state. I’m certain the ones getting kicked out weren’t paying for months and trashing the property. I paid my rent six days before the end of the month and so my manager could expect it that day. Truth is, if you’re paying rent ON TIME and not destroying the property, you obviously won’t be evicted.

[@suffer4fashion]

Love how when presented with 10mins of evidence contrary to your anecdotal experience, you side with your narrow "expertise". The thing about Arkansas is that the landlord has no obligation to fix or repair anything on the property that breaks. So it can be August, 100 degrees outside and if your AC goes out, you are dependent on the benevolence of your landlord as they aren't required to repair it.

[@Gn-dc5lb]

This is a lie. I live there right now and I haven't had a working fridge or flushing toilet since I moved in. Even in their official AR gov website it says the tenant can have their lease terminated by the landlord at any time, even if you're in good standing. Please educate yourself.

[@petenrita]

Set up autopay and pay your rent and no eviction. At same time, LL should have a requirement to maintain. Having been a tenant in four states and a LL and property manager in two states, good tenants, good PMs, and good LLs get black eyes for egregious abuses by the bad ones.