Alabama security deposit law
Source: Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 (Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) · Checked against the statute
- Maximum deposit
- Security may not exceed one month's periodic rent. Extra deposits are allowed for pets, changes to the premises, or increased liability risks to the landlord or premises.
- Return deadline
- 60 days after the tenancy terminates
- If the landlord keeps it wrongly
- If the landlord fails to mail a timely refund or accounting within 60 days, it must pay the tenant double the tenant's original deposit (§ 35-9A-201(f)).
Calculate your Alabama deadline
Choose your state and move-out date to see when your landlord must return the deposit.
When the deposit must be returned
- Refund the deposit and/or mail an itemized list of amounts withheld within 60 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant delivers possession.
On moving out, the tenant must give the landlord a valid forwarding address in writing. If the tenant doesn't, the landlord mails the refund or accounting by first-class mail to the tenant's last known address, or to the rental property if there is none. A deposit or check left unclaimed for 90 days is forfeited by the tenant.
Itemized list of deductions
Required: Yes. If the landlord doesn't refund the whole deposit, it must give the tenant an itemized list of amounts withheld within the 60 days.
What can and can't be deducted
The statute doesn't define normal wear and tear. The deposit may cover only accrued rent and damages caused by the tenant's failure to meet the tenant duties in § 35-9A-301.
Nonrefundable fees
The statute is silent on nonrefundable fees.
Interest, bank account and move-in inspection
- Interest required: No. No statewide interest requirement.
- Separate account required: No. The statute does not require a separate or trust account.
- Move-in inspection required: No. The statute does not require a move-in inspection or condition checklist.
Penalties and bad faith
If the landlord fails to mail a timely refund or accounting within 60 days, it must pay the tenant double the tenant's original deposit (§ 35-9A-201(f)).
No bad-faith test. The double-deposit penalty applies whenever the landlord misses the 60-day mailing deadline.
Getting your deposit back in court
District court small claims docket handles claims up to $6,000, not counting interest and costs (Ala. Code § 12-12-31). Court information
Before filing, many tenants send a written demand first. Write a Alabama demand letter →
Also good to know
- Mailing by first-class mail to the address the tenant gave in writing within 60 days counts as compliance.
- A new owner holding the landlord's interest when the tenancy ends is bound by these rules.
Sources
- Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 Retrieved October 11, 2026.
- Ala. Code § 12-12-31 (small claims jurisdiction) Retrieved October 11, 2026.
- Cherokee County District Court – Small Claims Retrieved October 11, 2026.
Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 11, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; see our methodology.