17 Ark. Code of Rules § 220-1009
Agreements to be written
Operative Text
17 CAR § 220-1009. Agreements to be written. (a)(1) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section, a licensee, for the protection of the public and of all parties with whom the licensee deals, shall see that the exact agreement of the parties regarding real estate or property management is in writing. (2) A licensee shall also see that clients and other parties to the transaction with whom the licensee deals receive copies of such agreements signed by all parties. (3) Examples include exclusive agency agreements or contracts, real estate contracts, closing statements, lease agreements, management agreements, financial obligations and commitments, etc. (4)(A) It is strongly recommended that a licensee obtain written acknowledgment from the buyer and or seller that the buyer and or seller have received said signed copies. (B) The same shall hold true for property owners and or licensees in a property management transaction. (b) It is strongly recommended that nonexclusive agency agreements or contracts be in writing. (c)(1) In compliance with the Supreme Court decision in the case of Pope County Bar Association, Inc. vs. Suggs, 624 S.W. 2d 828 (1981), real estate or property management forms used by licensees in the regular course of business shall be approved by a licensed Arkansas attorney prior to use. (2) The licensee shall be responsible for providing evidence of such approval by a licensed Arkansas attorney upon request of the Arkansas Real Estate Commission.
Arkansas regulation 17 Ark. Code R. pt. 220 § 220-1009 establishes that real estate and property management agreements must be reduced to writing, with signed copies distributed to all parties involved in the transaction. The rule covers a broad range of documents—including lease agreements, management agreements, and financial commitments—and requires that any forms used in the regular course of business be reviewed and approved by a licensed Arkansas attorney before use. Written acknowledgment that parties received their signed copies is strongly recommended, though nonexclusive agency agreements are encouraged but not strictly mandated to be in writing.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers working with licensees under 17 Ark. Code R. pt. 220 § 220-1009 can generally expect that all agreements—leases, management contracts, and financial commitments—will be documented in writing and that they will receive signed copies of those documents. Compliant operators typically ensure that any standard forms used in property management transactions have been pre-approved by a licensed Arkansas attorney, and they retain evidence of that approval in case the Arkansas Real Estate Commission requests it. Obtaining written acknowledgment from property owners confirming receipt of signed copies is a recommended best practice under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under 17 Ark. Code R. pt. 220 § 220-1009, tenants entering into lease or property management agreements have a right to receive copies of those agreements signed by all parties. If a licensee fails to provide written documentation or signed copies as required by this provision, that failure may be relevant to a complaint filed with the Arkansas Real Estate Commission, which oversees licensee conduct. Tenants who believe this provision has not been followed may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid resource to understand the options available to them.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 22, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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