Alaska

An Alaska simple basic lease agreement establishes a legally binding relationship between property owners and tenants. Through this rental contract, landlords agree to rent all or part of their property for specified fees, while tenants commit to following the terms and conditions outlined in the document. Property owners must include essential details in every Alaska lease agreement, such as rent amounts, security deposit requirements, payment dates and methods, known health hazards or risks, and comprehensive pet policies.

Alaska Rental Lease Laws: Key Requirements and Regulations

Alaska maintains landlord-friendly rental laws with minimal government restrictions. The state enforces no rent control laws, giving property owners freedom to set competitive rental rates. Alaska places no legal limits on late fees, allowing landlords to establish penalty structures that work for their properties. Unlike many states, Alaska requires no mandated grace periods for rent payments. However, Alaska does require landlords to obtain proper licensing before renting out properties.

Property owners typically require prospective tenants to complete rental applications before finalizing any Alaska lease agreement. This screening process helps landlords evaluate tenant qualifications and make informed decisions.

Required Alaska Simple (Basic) Lease Agreement Disclosures

Alaska law mandates specific disclosures that landlords must provide when creating rental agreements:

Lead-Based Paint Hazard Notifications

Property owners must notify tenants about potential lead-based hazards in buildings constructed before 1978. This federal requirement protects tenants from lead exposure risks in older rental properties throughout Alaska.

Security Deposit Withholding Conditions

Landlords must clearly inform tenants about the specific conditions under which they may withhold security deposits. Alaska lease agreements should outline these terms explicitly to avoid disputes.

Tenant Absence Notification Requirements

Alaska rental contracts must specify that tenants need to notify landlords when they plan absences exceeding seven days. This requirement helps property owners maintain proper oversight of their rental units.

Property Owner and Manager Information

Every Alaska lease agreement must disclose the property owner’s name and address, plus contact information for authorized managers. This ensures tenants know who manages their rental property and who owns it.

Alaska Security Deposit Rules and Regulations

Security Deposit Limits and Interest Requirements

Landlords can collect security deposits up to two months’ rent, unless monthly rent exceeds $2,000. Alaska law requires property owners to pay tenants any interest earned on security deposits. Additionally, landlords must hold security deposits and prepaid rent in designated bank accounts separate from personal funds.

Security Deposit Return Timelines

Property owners must return security deposits within 14 days when no property damage occurs and tenants provide proper notice to vacate. When deductions apply, landlords must return remaining deposits within 30 days. Alaska lease agreements must specify the exact terms for security deposit withholding to comply with state regulations.

Alaska Rent Payment Requirements and Late Fee Structures

Monthly Rent Due Dates and Payment Locations

Tenants must pay rent on dates specified in their Alaska lease agreement at designated payment locations. Since Alaska enforces no rent control laws, landlords can increase rent freely after lease terms end, provided they give proper notice to tenants.

Late Fee Policies and Eviction Notices

Alaska places no caps on late fees, allowing landlords to charge flat rates or percentages based on Federal Reserve discount rates, with a maximum of 10.5% when no discount rate applies. When rent becomes overdue, property owners can issue 7-day notices to tenants demanding payment or possession of the property.

Tenants may deduct costs from rent payments when landlords fail to provide essential services required under Alaska lease agreements.

Alaska Landlord Entry Rights and Lock Change Policies

Property owners must provide tenants with one day’s advance notice before entering rental properties and may only enter during reasonable hours. Generally, tenants need landlord permission to change locks, except during emergencies. When tenants change locks due to emergencies, Alaska law requires them to provide new keys to landlords within five days.

Alaska Property Maintenance and Repair Responsibilities

Landlord Maintenance Obligations

Property owners must maintain habitable conditions and address tenant repair requests promptly according to Alaska lease agreement terms. Repair timelines vary based on severity: landlords should complete minor repairs within 7-14 days, while emergency repairs affecting health or safety require resolution within 1-3 days.

Tenant Maintenance Duties

Tenants must maintain property cleanliness and safety standards, including ensuring smoke and carbon monoxide detectors remain operational throughout their tenancy.

Extended Absence and Early Termination Policies

When tenants plan absences lasting seven days or more, they must notify landlords as specified in their Alaska lease agreement. Tenants who vacate before lease expiration remain responsible for paying rent through the remaining term unless landlords successfully re-rent the properties. When properties remain vacant, tenants must cover rent payments for those periods according to their original lease terms.

How to Terminate an Alaska Simple (Basic) Lease Agreement

Month-to-Month Tenancy Termination

Either landlords or tenants can terminate month-to-month Alaska lease agreements by providing 30-day written notice. This gives both parties adequate time to prepare for tenancy changes while maintaining legal compliance.

Personal Property Collection After Lease Termination

After lease termination, landlords must provide 15-day notices for tenants to collect personal belongings from rental properties. Property owners gain the right to sell or dispose of unclaimed items after this notification period expires.

Key Takeaways for Alaska Simple (Basic) Lease Agreements

Alaska’s balanced rental laws provide protections for both landlords and tenants while maintaining reasonable flexibility. Property owners benefit from minimal rent control restrictions and the ability to set competitive late fee structures. Tenants enjoy protections through required disclosures, fair security deposit practices, and reasonable entry notice requirements. Understanding these Alaska lease agreement requirements helps both parties create successful rental relationships while complying with state regulations and maintaining profitable property investments.

Statutes

Alaska Stat. §§ 09.10.010 – Limitations of Actions
Alaska Stat. §§ 34.03.070(a) – Security Deposit Maximum
Alaska Stat. §§ 34.03.020(c) – Rent Due Date
Alaska Stat. §§ 34.03.180 – Tenant Allowed to Withhold Rent for Failure to Provide Essential Services
Alaska Stat. §§ 34.03.350 – Landlord Allowed to Recover Court and Attorney Fees
Alaska Stat. §§ 34.03.320 – Landlord Duty to Mitigate Damages
Alaska Stat. §§ 34.03.230(c) – Tenant Abandonment
Alaska Stat. §§ 34.03.290(b) – Notice to Terminate Tenancy – Month-to-Month Lease
Alaska Stat. §§ 34.03.220(a)(1) – Termination of Tenancy with 24 Hours Notice
Alaska Stat. §§ 34.03.140(c) – Required Notice before Entry
Alaska Stat. §§ 34.03.150 – Entry Allowed During Tenant’s Extended Absence
Alaska Stat. §§ 34.03.280 – Prohibition on Lockouts
Alaska Stat. §§ 34.03.210 – Prohibition on Utility Shut-offs
Alaska Stat. §§ 34.03.100 – Landlord’s Duties
Alaska Stat. §§ 34.03.120 – Tenant’s Duties
Alaska Stat. §§ 18.70.095 – Smoke Detectors and Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Alaska Stat. §§ 29.35.125 – Municipal Fees for Police Response
Alaska Stat. §§ 34.03.060 – Subleasing
Alaska Stat. §§ 34.03.310 – Retaliation
Alaska Stat. §§ 09.10.053 – Statute of Limitations for Written and Oral Contracts
Alaska Stat. §§ 09.10.050 – Statute of Limitations for Real Property Damage
Alaska Stat. § 34.03.080 – Disclosures
The Alaska Landlord and Tenant Act Page 21
The Alaska Landlord and Tenant Act Page 4

FAQs

An Alaska lease agreement must include the amount of rent, security deposit, payment dates and methods, any known health hazards, and whether pets are allowed. These details create a legally binding relationship between the landlord and tenant.

In Alaska, a landlord can collect up to two months’ rent as a security deposit unless the monthly rent exceeds $2,000. This ensures that tenants are protected while providing landlords with a reasonable security measure.

A landlord in Alaska must return a tenant’s security deposit within 14 days if there is no damage and the tenant has given proper notice to vacate. If there are deductions, the remaining deposit must be returned within 30 days.

In Alaska, a landlord must provide at least one day’s advance notice before entering a rental property. Entry should occur at reasonable times to respect the tenant’s privacy.

Alaska does not impose a legal cap on late fees, allowing landlords to charge either a flat rate or a percentage based on the Federal Reserve discount rate. If rent is overdue, landlords can issue a 7-day notice to the tenant.

Landlords in Alaska must disclose potential lead-based hazards to tenants if the building was constructed before 1978. This is a crucial requirement to ensure tenant safety and compliance with federal regulations.

To terminate a month-to-month lease in Alaska, either party must provide a 30-day notice. This allows both landlords and tenants to plan accordingly and ensures a clear end to the rental agreement.

Landlords in Alaska are responsible for maintaining habitable conditions and must address repair requests promptly. Minor repairs should be addressed within 7-14 days, while emergency repairs affecting health or safety must be handled within 1-3 days.