AK · Researched October 7, 2026
Alaska's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AS 34.03) caps deposits at two months' rent unless rent is over $2,000 a month, and deposits must sit in a trust account where practicable. Refunds are due in 14 or 30 days depending on notice and deductions. Managing rentals for others requires a real estate license.
State law lists collecting rent, collecting property management fees, and practicing property management as activities that require a real estate license. Salespersons and associate brokers work under a broker.
Owners managing their own property and the other exemptions in AS 08.88.900, such as office staff who accept rent and give a receipt, and tradespeople doing repairs.
Brokers must keep a separate trust account in a bank for security deposits, collected rent, and other money held in trust, and keep transaction records for three years.
The limit covers prepaid rent and deposits combined. A separate pet deposit of up to one month's rent is allowed for pets that are not service animals, and it can only be used for pet damage.
If the tenancy ended with proper notice, mail the refund in 14 days, or 30 days if you deduct for damage. If the tenant did not give proper notice, you have 30 days from move-out or from learning the unit was abandoned. Mail an itemized notice to the last known address. Willful violations can cost up to twice the amount withheld.
Deposit prepaid rent and deposits promptly in a trust account at a bank, savings and loan, or licensed escrow agent. You may combine tenants' deposits in one account but must account for each tenant separately and never mix in other funds. Tell the tenant in writing the conditions for withholding.
Alaska's act does not set a late fee limit or grace period. State any fee in the lease and keep it reasonable.
Disclose fees in advance and treat applicants consistently. Follow federal FCRA rules when you deny based on a screening report.
Rent cannot rise during a fixed-term lease unless the lease allows it. For month-to-month tenants, give at least 30 days' written notice, which matches the termination notice period. A 2025 bill proposing 90 days' notice (HB 115) had not passed when we checked.
No Alaska city has a rent control ordinance. We could not confirm whether state law preempts cities from adopting one.
If rent is not paid in full within 7 days after the notice, the tenancy ends unless the landlord agrees to let the tenant stay. The notice must meet the notice to quit rules in AS 09.45.100 to 09.45.105.
Material breaches get a notice that the lease ends in at least 10 days if not fixed. Deliberate damage over $400, or prostitution or other illegal activity at the premises, allows a notice of 24 hours to 5 days. A repeat of the same breach within 6 months allows a 5-day notice with no cure.
Either side may end a periodic tenancy this way while rent is current. After termination, serve a notice to quit before filing for possession.
FED cases move fast. Continuances are limited to 2 days unless the tenant posts security for rent. A notice to quit must state the reason and, where curable, what the tenant must do.
After notice, store the items with reasonable care. Property worth more than the cost of storage and sale is sold at public sale. Low-value items may be destroyed after the notice period. Perishables may be disposed of right away.
The tenant may not unreasonably refuse entry for inspections, repairs, or showings. Abuse of access is not allowed.
If a material problem is not fixed within 10 days of written notice, the tenant may end the lease 20 days after the notice. Separate remedies apply if the landlord fails to supply heat, running water, hot water, sanitary facilities, or other essential services.
Give this in writing at or before move-in and keep it current. Tell the tenant in writing the conditions for withholding the deposit. Federal lead paint disclosure applies to housing built before 1978.
State law covers sex, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, physical or mental disability, color, and national origin. Federal law adds familial status.
No statewide changes from 2024 to 2026 were found in the last review.
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Compare with other states: security deposit limit, deposit return deadline, deposit interest and holding rules, late fees, application and screening fees, rent increase notice, rent control, notice for unpaid rent, notice for lease violations, ending a month-to-month, eviction timeline, abandoned property, landlord entry, repairs and habitability, required disclosures, state fair housing protections.