Alabama landlord and tenant rules

Security deposits in Alabama

Alabama limits security deposits to 1 month's rent (additional deposits allowed for pets, alterations to the premises, or increased liability risks). The deposit must be returned 60 days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession (itemized written notice plus any refund; calendar days). No interest is owed on the deposit under state law. Statute text read on FindLaw (Alabama legislature site alisondb.legislature.state.al.us unreachable; Justia returned 403). Act 2014-279 extended the return period from 35 to 60 days; failure to refund/account within 60 days = landlord owes double the original deposit (§ 35-9A-201(f)). No interest requirement. No 2024-2026 amendments located. Full deposit rules and move-out checklist.

Late fees in Alabama

Alabama sets no statutory cap on late fees. The amount is whatever the lease says, subject to the general rule that it must not be an unconscionable penalty. There is no statutory grace period, so the lease controls when the fee starts. Calculate the maximum fee.

Notice periods in Alabama

A Alabama landlord must give 30 days’ written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy, and the tenant must give the same. A rent increase needs 30 days’ notice. For nonpayment, the landlord must serve a 7-business day notice to pay or quit before filing for eviction. Calculate the effective date of a notice.

Sources

• https://codes.findlaw.com/al/title-35-property/al-code-sect-35-9a-201/
• https://codes.findlaw.com/al/title-35-property/al-code-sect-35-9a-421/
• https://codes.findlaw.com/al/title-35-property/al-code-sect-35-9a-441/
• https://www.landlordstudio.com/blog/a-state-by-state-guide-to-late-fees