Alaska Landlord-Tenant Laws: Key Rental Rules (2026)
Security deposits, notice periods, landlord entry, and other key rental rules in Alaska, each linked to the state law it comes from.
By the ListMyHomes.com™ Editorial TeamPublished Last reviewed
This page summarizes the main landlord-tenant rules in Alaska. Each rule in the table below links to the law it comes from.
Key rules at a glance
| Rule | Alaska |
|---|---|
| Where these laws apply | AS 34.03 (the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) applies to rental agreements for dwelling units in Alaska, wherever the agreement is made. AS 34.03 sets no county, borough, municipality or population limit on where it applies. Unless set up to avoid the Act, it does not govern residence at an institution incidental to detention or to medical, geriatric, educational, counseling, religious or similar services; occupancy by a purchaser under a contract of sale; occupancy by a member of a fraternal or social organization in its building; transient occupancy in a hotel, motel, lodgings or other transient facility; occupancy by an employee whose right to occupy depends on work on the premises; occupancy by a condominium owner or a cooperative's proprietary lessee; premises used mainly for agriculture; or transitional or supportive housing programs run by a public or nonprofit corporation. AS 34.03.330 |
| Security deposit limit | Prepaid rent or a security deposit may not be more than two months' periodic rent. This limit does not apply to rental units where the rent exceeds $2,000 a month. For a pet that is not a service animal, the landlord may also take an additional deposit of up to one month's periodic rent, accounted for separately and usable only for damages directly related to the pet. AS 34.03.070(a), (h) |
| Where deposits are held | Prepaid rent and security deposits must be deposited promptly, wherever practicable, in a trust account in a bank, savings and loan association or licensed escrow agent. They may be kept together in one account but must be accounted for separately for each tenant and may not be mixed with other funds; money held for one tenant may not be used for another tenant's refund, rent or damages. AS 34.03.070(c) |
| Returning the deposit | If the landlord or tenant gave a termination notice that complies with AS 34.03.290, the refund and written notice are due within 14 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant delivers possession, or within 30 days after the tenancy ends if costs are deducted for damages. If the tenant did not give such a notice, they are due within 30 days after the tenancy ends, the tenant delivers possession, or the landlord becomes aware that the unit is abandoned. The notice itemizes the rent and damages withheld and is mailed to the tenant's last known address with the amount due the tenant; if the landlord does not know the mailing address but knows how to contact the tenant, the landlord must make a reasonable effort to deliver it. If the landlord wilfully fails to follow the itemization and refund rule of AS 34.03.070(b), the tenant may recover up to twice the amount withheld. AS 34.03.070(b), (d), (g) |
| Deposit deductions | At the end of the tenancy, prepaid rent or a security deposit may be applied to accrued rent and to damages the landlord suffered because the tenant did not meet the tenant's obligations under AS 34.03.120. Damages means deterioration of the premises and, if applicable, of their contents; it does not include normal wear and tear, or deterioration caused by the landlord's failure to prepare for expected conditions or to meet the landlord's obligations. An additional pet deposit may be applied only to damages directly related to the tenant's pet. AS 34.03.070(b), (h) |
| Interest on deposits | |
| Landlord entry notice | Except in an emergency or if it is impracticable, the landlord must give the tenant at least 24 hours' notice of intent to enter, and may enter only at reasonable times and with the tenant's consent. In an emergency the landlord may enter without the tenant's consent. The landlord may not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. AS 34.03.140(b), (c) |
| Notice to end a month-to-month lease | Either the landlord or the tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy by written notice given at least 30 days before the rental due date named in the notice. While rent is current, a week-to-week tenancy may be ended by written notice given at least 14 days before the termination date named in the notice. Unless the rental agreement sets a definite term, the tenancy is week to week for a tenant who pays weekly rent and month to month in all other cases. AS 34.03.290(a), (b); 34.03.020(d) |
| Rent-increase notice | |
| Late fees | |
| Notice for unpaid rent | If rent is unpaid when due, the landlord may give written notice of the nonpayment and of the intent to end the rental agreement if the rent is not paid; if the tenant does not pay in full within seven days, the tenancy ends unless the landlord agrees to let the tenant stay. Only one written notice is needed for any one default, and a landlord who has given it may accept a partial payment and extend the eviction date. AS 34.03.220(b) |
| Rent control | |
| Required landlord disclosures | At or before the start of the tenancy, the landlord must disclose in writing the name and address of the person authorized to manage the premises and of an owner, or a person authorized to act for the owner, for service of process and for receiving notices and demands. This information must be kept current, and the duty binds any successor landlord, owner or manager. The landlord must give the tenant the terms and conditions under which prepaid rent or a security deposit may be withheld. AS 34.03.080(a), (b); 34.03.070(c) Federal law: For housing built before 1978 (with limited exceptions): before the tenant is bound by the lease, the landlord must give the EPA lead-hazard pamphlet and disclose any known lead-based paint or hazards and any available reports. 42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR 745.107 |
| Fair housing protected classes | Sex, marital status, changes in marital status, pregnancy, race, religion, physical or mental disability, color and national origin. Age is also covered when a person is told that a property is not available for inspection, sale or rental when it is, or is refused an inspection. Marital status, changes in marital status and pregnancy appear in Alaska's law but not in the federal list; familial status appears in the federal list but not in Alaska's. AS 18.80.240(1), (5); 42 U.S.C. § 3604 |
What this means for renters
Before you sign, compare the lease's deposit amount, rent due date, and late-fee terms with the rules above. At move-in, record the unit's condition with dated photos. When you move out, give the written notice your lease and the rules above call for, leave a forwarding address, and keep copies of everything you send and receive.
What this means for landlords who manage their own rental
List the unit with its rent, deposit, and lease terms. Screen every applicant by the same written criteria, within fair-housing law. Collect the deposit and give notices following the rules above, and keep records of the unit's condition at move-in and move-out.
List your rental on ListMyHomes.com for one flat fee, or browse rentals in Alaska listed directly by owners.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Alaska?
Prepaid rent or a security deposit may not be more than two months' periodic rent. This limit does not apply to rental units where the rent exceeds $2,000 a month. For a pet that is not a service animal, the landlord may also take an additional deposit of up to one month's periodic rent, accounted for separately and usable only for damages directly related to the pet. See the source in the table above.
How long does a Alaska landlord have to return a security deposit?
If the landlord or tenant gave a termination notice that complies with AS 34.03.290, the refund and written notice are due within 14 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant delivers possession, or within 30 days after the tenancy ends if costs are deducted for damages. If the tenant did not give such a notice, they are due within 30 days after the tenancy ends, the tenant delivers possession, or the landlord becomes aware that the unit is abandoned. The notice itemizes the rent and damages withheld and is mailed to the tenant's last known address with the amount due the tenant; if the landlord does not know the mailing address but knows how to contact the tenant, the landlord must make a reasonable effort to deliver it. If the landlord wilfully fails to follow the itemization and refund rule of AS 34.03.070(b), the tenant may recover up to twice the amount withheld. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Alaska landlord give before entering?
Except in an emergency or if it is impracticable, the landlord must give the tenant at least 24 hours' notice of intent to enter, and may enter only at reasonable times and with the tenant's consent. In an emergency the landlord may enter without the tenant's consent. The landlord may not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. See the source in the table above.
How much notice ends a month-to-month lease in Alaska?
Either the landlord or the tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy by written notice given at least 30 days before the rental due date named in the notice. While rent is current, a week-to-week tenancy may be ended by written notice given at least 14 days before the termination date named in the notice. Unless the rental agreement sets a definite term, the tenancy is week to week for a tenant who pays weekly rent and month to month in all other cases. See the source in the table above.
How much notice is required for a rent increase in Alaska?
No notice period in AS 34.03. See the source in the table above.
How much can a Alaska landlord charge for late rent?
No limit or grace period in AS 34.03. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Alaska landlord give when rent is unpaid?
If rent is unpaid when due, the landlord may give written notice of the nonpayment and of the intent to end the rental agreement if the rent is not paid; if the tenant does not pay in full within seven days, the tenancy ends unless the landlord agrees to let the tenant stay. Only one written notice is needed for any one default, and a landlord who has given it may accept a partial payment and extend the eviction date. See the source in the table above.
Does Alaska have rent control?
No cap on rent amounts or rent increases in AS 34.03. See the source in the table above.
Rentals in Alaska listed by owners
There are no owner-listed rentals in Alaska on ListMyHomes.com right now. New listings appear here as landlords list.
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