Alaska Landlord Tenant Act, Laws, & Rights: Full Guide

Landlords and tenants in Alaska often find themselves navigating a complex web of rights and responsibilities, leaving them unsure about crucial aspects of their rental agreements. Worries about security deposits, rental payment grace periods, eviction procedures, and lease agreements can lead to confusion and even potential legal issues. Luckily, the Alaska Landlord and Tenant Act (Alaska Statutes Title 34, Chapter 03) serves as a comprehensive guide to address these concerns.

This guide breaks down the laws found in the Alaska Landlord Tenant Act, enabling real estate investors to protect their investment and promote a healthy landlord-tenant relationship. Similarly, it prepares tenants to assert their rights, empowering them to have a healthy and respectful living environment.

This resource covers a wide range of issues, from security deposits to rent payments, eviction procedures, repairs, and lease agreements. You'll also find information on specific guidelines and notice requirements for lease terminations, helping you understand the intricacies of the Act. Ready to take charge of your rental journey? Let's get started!

What is the Alaska Landlord and Tenant Act?

The Alaska Landlord and Tenant Act (Alaska Statutes Title 34, Chapter 03) is a set of laws that governs the rights and obligations of landlords and tenants in Alaska. Here are some key points about the document:

• The Act outlines the rights and responsibilities of landlords and tenants in Alaska.

• The Act covers a wide range of issues, including security deposits, rent payments, eviction, repairs and maintenance, lease agreements, and more.

• The Act also outlines specific procedures and notice requirements that landlords and tenants must follow when terminating a lease agreement.

Both landlords and tenants need to be aware of their rights and obligations under the Act to ensure a positive landlord-tenant relationship and prevent legal problems.

Is Alaska a tenant-friendly state?

Alaska is generally regarded as a landlord-friendly state, meaning it offers certain advantages to property owners. However, it also emphasizes a balanced approach to landlord-tenant laws, ensuring protections for tenants as well.

The state's legislation encompasses specific eviction procedures, establishing clear guidelines that landlords must follow when seeking to remove a tenant from a rental property. Additionally, Alaska has regulations in place concerning security deposits, stipulating the maximum amount landlords can charge and defining how security deposits should be handled. This ensures transparency and safeguards tenants' interests.

While Alaska does not impose rent control laws, it does require landlords to provide proper notice before increasing rental rates. This provision aims to prevent sudden and excessive rent hikes, allowing tenants sufficient time to adjust to any changes.

As a result, both parties have a fair opportunity to negotiate lease terms and foster a stable and respectful landlord-tenant relationship.

Key laws Alaska landlords and tenants need to know

In Alaska, both landlords and tenants have specific responsibilities that contribute to a harmonious and legally compliant rental experience. Landlords are expected to comply with local housing codes, maintain safe and habitable properties, and respect tenants' rights to privacy and quiet enjoyment. They must also handle security deposits appropriately and provide timely repairs and maintenance. On the other hand, tenants are responsible for keeping the property clean and safe, adhering to lease terms, and promptly paying rent. Learn some of the key responsibilities for both parties below.

Alaska landlord responsibilities

Some of the main responsibilities of landlords in Alaska include:

• Landlords are required to make repairs within 10 days of being notified by the tenant.
• Landlords are required to provide a 30-day notice before raising the rent.
• Landlords must provide a 24-hour notice before entering the property unless it’s an emergency.
• Landlords have 14 days to return the security deposit with no deductions and 30 days to return a security deposit with deductions.
• Landlords must store the tenant's personal belongings for 15 days and attempt to contact the tenant prior to discarding it.

Alaska tenant responsibilities

Alaska tenants are primarily responsible for the following:

• Lease termination notice: Renters are responsible for providing a lease termination notice at least 30 days prior to the termination of the lease.
• Pay rent: Tenants have seven days to pay rent after they receive a notice from the landlord.
• Repairs and maintenance: Tenants are responsible for keeping the property clean, safe, and habitable, which includes making minor repairs as needed. Additionally, they are responsible for ensuring the property has functioning smoke and carbon monoxide devices.
• Quiet enjoyment: Tenants should be considerate of other renters' and neighbors' personal property as to not disturb their quiet enjoyment.

Alaska landlord-tenant laws through the rental cycle

Alaska application fees laws

Landlords in Alaska are allowed to request application fees from prospective tenants to cover expenses associated with background and credit checks. 

However, Alaska's landlord-tenant law prohibits overcharging. Therefore, the application fee should be the actual and reasonable cost incurred. A standard fee ranges from $25 to $30 US dollars.

It's important to note that if a prospective tenant was accepted but did not wish to relocate, the landlord must reimburse any remaining fees.

Alaska tenant screening laws

Alaska landlords have the right to screen prospective tenants through application processes, background checks, and credit checks to assess their suitability as tenants.

But, to run a background check, the tenant's consent, consent is required according to the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Alaska rental agreement laws

Alaska code states that landlords have the right to set the terms and conditions of the rental agreement, including rent amount, lease duration, pet policies, and other provisions like late fees. Both oral and written rental agreements are accepted in the state of Alaska. 

Landlords also have the right to terminate a rental agreement for reasons, such as non-payment of rent, lease violation, property damage, illegal activity, or mutual agreement, provided proper notice is given.

Tenants must abide by the terms and conditions of the rental agreement. This includes adhering to any restrictions on pets, subletting, or altering the property without prior written consent from the landlord.

When intending to vacate the rental at the end of the lease term or terminate the rental agreement, tenants are required to give at least a 14-day notice for weekly leases, a 30-day notice for monthly leases, or within the timeframe specified in the lease.

It’s important to note that Alaska tenants may legally break the lease early for reasons including:

• Active military duty
• Landlord harassment
• Early termination clause
• Uninhabitable unit

Alaska security deposit laws

The majority of Alaska landlords can charge the equivalent of two months’ rent for a security deposit. However, this restriction does not apply to rental units with a monthly rent of more than $2,000 (Alaska Stat. § 34.03.070 (2022)).

Other important security deposit regulations include:

• Must provide a receipt to the tenant
• Must hold the security deposit in a trust account in a bank, savings and loan association, or with an escrow agent
• Do not have to pay interest on the security deposit

Additionally, when collecting the security deposit, landlords must define the terms and conditions under which they might withhold money from the tenant's security deposit due at the end of a lease.

Alaska landlords have the right to withhold a portion or all of the security deposit if there are damages beyond normal wear and tear, unpaid back rent owed, or cleaning costs.

The security deposit must be returned within 14 days with no deductions or 30 days with deductions of the lease ending with an itemized statement of deductions and any remaining funds if applicable. If the landlord is late returning it, tenants can sue for twice the amount wrongfully withheld, plus any court costs and attorney costs.

Alaska rent laws

Alaska landlord-tenant law, like most states, requires tenants to pay rent without demand or reminders. Both parties can determine to choose the time, place, and payment method of rent if they are agreeable. But by default, rent is due on the first day of each month, beginning on the date the tenancy starts, or when specified in the written rental agreement otherwise.

If the tenant fails to pay rent on time, Alaska landlords are not required to provide any grace period before charging a late fee. If the landlord intends to charge a late fee, it must be disclosed in the lease agreement.

Regarding raising rent, landlords in Alaska can raise the rent by any amount, but they cannot do so before providing a 30-day written notice for monthly lease agreements. Of course, the tenant can choose to pay the higher rent or move out. If they choose the latter, they must provide a 30-day written notice to terminate the lease. Additionally, landlords cannot increase rent during the lease term unless specified in the written rental agreement itself.

Alaska repairs and maintenance laws

Landlords are responsible for ensuring their dwelling unit or rental meets the minimum standards set by applicable housing codes and regulations of Alaska. While tenants are responsible for maintaining the dwelling unit in clean, sanitary, and working condition.

After being notified by a tenant, landlords have up to 10 days to make repairs, or at the minimum, provide the tenant with a reasonable timeline for the repairs.

In the case that the landlord fails to make repairs, tenants have three options:

1. Repair and deduct: In some circumstances, tenants may repair the problem themselves and deduct the cost from their rent. Tenants should provide the intent to do this in writing and keep all receipts associated with the repairs.
2. File a lawsuit: Alaska tenants can sue for costs or a court order to force the landlord to make repairs. They can also cancel the rental agreement without having to go to court.
3. Substitute housing: The tenant can move into substitute housing until the issue is fixed as long as they provide the landlord with a written notice.

Alaska right to entry laws

Landlords in Alaska have the right to enter the property for reasons including:

• Maintenance or repairs
• Supplying services or utilities
• Inspections
• Property showings

According to the Alaska Uniform Residential Landlord & Tenant Act AS 34.03.010 - 34.03.360 Article 01, except in case of emergency, Alaska landlords shall give the tenant at least 24 hours' notice before entering the property.

The notice must include the date and time of entry, the reason for entry, and the name of the person entering the unit.

Additionally, landlords may only enter at reasonable times and with the tenant’s consent unless an emergency. Emergencies are outlined as:

• Smoke, fire, flooding, or explosion
• It’s not possible to contact the tenant by normal means of communication
• The tenant has been away from the property for more than seven days without notice

Alaska eviction laws

There are several reasons a landlord may file for eviction in Alaska. The eviction notice period depends on the reason for eviction. The reasons and notice times are:

• Failing to pay rent - 7-day notice to pay
• Lease violation - 10-day notice to cure or quit
• Failure to pay utilities - 5-day notice to quit
• Purposely damaging the property - 1-day to 5-day notice to quit
• Illegal activity - 5-day notice to cure or quit
• Non-renewal of lease/staying after the lease expires - 14-day notice to quit for weekly leases or a 30-day notice to quit for monthly leases
• Failure to allow landlord property access - 10-day notice to quit

When it comes to the eviction process in Alaska, landlords cannot legally remove a tenant from the rental unit without a court order i.e. self-help evictions are illegal. 

The eviction process in Alaska requires landlords to file a lawsuit in court and obtain a judgment before they can evict a tenant.

If the landlord wins the lawsuit, the court will issue a writ of possession, which allows the landlord to have the tenant removed from the rental property.

Learn more about the Alaska eviction process here.

Additional Alaska landlord tenant laws

Apart from regulations covering general matters such as repairs and security deposits, Alaska also provides specific rights and responsibilities concerning topics like renter discrimination laws, landlord retaliation, and more. Explore some of these topics below.

Alaska renter discrimination laws

Under the Federal Fair Housing Act, landlords in Alaska cannot discriminate against tenants based on protected characteristics such as race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability. Alaska state law extends the protections to renters based on pregnancy and marital status.

Retaliation laws

Alaskan landlords cannot retaliate against tenants who take protected actions like reporting health and safety violations to government authorities. 

Retaliatory actions include raising rent, decreasing services, and threatening evictions.

In the event a landlord retaliates against the tenant, the tenant has the right to pursue legal action to regain quiet possession of the rental property or terminate the rental agreement after providing proper notice.

In such cases, tenants may be entitled to recover one and a half times the expenses incurred, along with attorney fees.

Required landlord disclosures in Alaska

The Alaska Landlord Tenant Act requires landlords to make the following disclosures to tenants in writing:

• Lead-based paint: Landlords who own rental units built before 1978 must provide information about the amount of lead-based paints used in the building.
• Name and address: Landlords must provide the name and address of the person authorized to manage the premises and the owner of the property.
• Tenant absence: If the tenant is absent from the unit for more than seven days, notice must be given to the landlord.
• Withholding security deposits: Landlords must disclose in the lease agreement that they have the option to withhold the security deposit for specific reasons.

Changing locks

Alaska tenants cannot change the locks on the rental unit without the landlord’s permission, unless in an emergency. In this case, tenants must notify the landlord and provide copies of the new keys within five days of changing the locks.

Bottom line: Summing up Alaska landlord tenant laws

In conclusion, as a landlord or tenant in Alaska, navigating the complexities of the rental landscape can be daunting. However, with the valuable guidance offered by the Alaska Landlord and Tenant Act (Alaska Statutes Title 34, Chapter 03), these challenges can be overcome, leading to a harmonious and legally compliant rental experience.

By addressing crucial issues such as security deposits, rent payments, eviction procedures, and lease agreements, the Act serves as a comprehensive solution to your rental concerns. For landlords, it provides essential insights into maintaining properties, adhering to housing codes, and respecting tenants' rights. Tenants, on the other hand, gain clarity on their responsibilities, ensuring the property's upkeep and adherence to lease terms.

So, take action now, dive into Alaska landlord-tenant laws, and pave the way for a successful and satisfying landlord-tenant partnership. Your rental success story awaits!

Landlord tenant laws in Alaska FAQ

What is the 30-day notice in Alaska?

In Alaska, the "30-day notice" typically refers to the notice period required for a tenant to terminate their lease or rental agreement. According to the Alaska Landlord and Tenant Act (Alaska Statutes Title 34, Chapter 03), renters who wish to end their tenancy must provide their landlord with a written notice at least 30 days before their intended move-out date. This notice period only applies to those tenants with month-to-month rental agreements or periodic tenancies.

Is there a grace period for rent in Alaska?

No, Alaska landlords do not have to provide a grace period before charging a late fee when a tenant fails to pay rent on time. However, if the landlord intends to charge a fee, it must be clearly disclosed in the rental agreement.

Can Alaska landlords charge a pet deposit?

Landlords in Alaska can charge a pet fee or deposit for an animal on the premises that is not a service animal. The Alaska pet fee cannot be more than one month’s rent. It must be accounted for separately from the security deposit and can only be used for any damages directly related to the pet.

Can a tenant withhold rent in Alaska?

Alaska tenants cannot withhold rent when a landlord fails to make repairs. However, tenants have other legal options available to address repair issues including the “repair and deduct” remedy, suing, and substitute housing.

Can a landlord enter without permission in Alaska?

Unless it’s for emergency reasons, landlords in Alaska cannot enter a rental property without permission or providing notice at least two days before entry.

What is the limit a landlord or tenant can sue for in Alaska small claims court?

Small claims court is designed to handle disputes involving relatively small amounts of money in a simplified and expedited manner. In Alaska, a small claims court will hear rental cases for up to $10,000. The process can take anywhere from two to four months.