Alaska Landlord-Tenant Laws

This guide summarizes Alaska landlord-tenant laws that apply to residential (non-commercial) rentals. References are compiled from the Alaska Statutes, the Alaska Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, and various online sources. This guide is not an adequate substitute for legal advice from a knowledgeable lawyer.

Key Statutes

• Alaska Stat. §§ 34.03.010 – 34.03.360 – Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act

• Alaska Stat. § 34.03.070 – Security Deposits

• Alaska Stat. § 34.03.020 – Rental Agreement Terms

• Alaska Stat. § 34.03.290 – Termination Notices

• Alaska Stat. § 34.03.140 – Landlord Entry

• Alaska Stat. § 09.68.115 – Bad Check Penalties

Security Deposits

Maximum deposit: Cannot exceed two month's rent, except for units where rent exceeds $2,000/month.

Interest: No requirement for deposits to earn interest. If the deposit earns interest, the tenant is entitled to it under general trust law principles unless otherwise agreed.

Storage: Deposits must be promptly deposited into a trust account. Landlords must separately account for each tenant's deposit and cannot commingle with other funds.

Return timeline: 14 days if proper notice of termination is provided; 30 days if tenant does not provide proper notice.

Withholding: Landlords can withhold for accrued rent and damages. An itemized list of deductions must be mailed within the same timeframe.

Penalty: Tenants may recover up to twice the original deposit amount if the refund/accounting is not returned within the required timeframe.

Rent

No rent control laws in Alaska. Rent is due at the time and place agreed upon. Unless otherwise agreed, rent is due at the beginning of the month in equal monthly installments.

Fees

Late fees: Allowed if they reasonably approximate actual costs and are agreed to in the rental agreement. No grace period required by law.

Application fees: Allowed with no statutory limit. Cannot be attributed to the security deposit if approved.

Returned check fees: Landlords can charge the check amount plus up to $30.

Termination Notices

Fixed-end lease: No notice required — lease ends on the date stated.

Week-to-week lease: 14 days written notice by either party.

Month-to-month lease: 30 days written notice by either party.

Rent increase (no lease): Landlords must give at least 30 days notice before the increase takes effect.

Entry Provisions

Landlords may enter with at least 24 hours notice for inspections, repairs, showing the unit, or supplying services. Entry must be at reasonable times and with tenant's consent.

Disclaimer

This guide is not comprehensive. Statutes can change when the state legislature passes new laws. Counties and cities may have different regulations. This is not a substitute for legal advice. Consult a qualified attorney for landlord-tenant issues.