Alabama Late Fee Law
No Alabama statute caps residential late fees or requires a grace period; the lease sets both.
Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed
Alabama late fee law at a glance
| Late-fee cap | No state capAla. Code § 35-9A-161 (rental agreement terms), Ala. Code § 35-9A-143 (unconscionability), Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(b) (nonpayment notice may include 'any late fees owed'; no limit stated) |
|---|---|
| Grace period | No state grace periodAla. Code § 35-9A-161(c) |
What Alabama law says
Is there a limit on late fees in Alabama?
Alabama sets no statutory cap on residential late fees, so the fee must be in the rental agreement and a court can refuse to enforce an unconscionable one (Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-161, 35-9A-143) (Ala. Code § 35-9A-161 (rental agreement terms)).
Does Alabama require a grace period before a late fee?
Alabama law sets no grace period before a late fee may be charged; rent is due at the time agreed in the lease (Ala. Code § 35-9A-161(c)).
How Alabama compares
31 of 51 verified jurisdictions set no statutory cap. 14 require a grace period.
Florida, Georgia and Mississippi follow the same rule as Alabama; 1 of its 4 neighbors differs.
| Late-fee cap · grace period | States |
|---|---|
| No state cap · none | Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi |
| Statutory formula · 5 days | Tennessee |
Other Alabama rules
| Security deposit limit | 1 month's rent (with exceptions)Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(a) |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | 60 days after move-outAla. Code § 35-9A-201(b)-(f), Ala. Code § 35-9A-141(3) ("day" = calendar day; deadline falling on weekend/holiday rolls to next business day) |
| Entry notice | 48 hours' noticeAla. Code § 35-9A-303 |
| Rent-increase notice | No state ruleAla. Code § 35-9A-161 (rent set by agreement), Ala. Code § 35-9A-441(b) |
| Month-to-month termination | 30 days (either side)Ala. Code § 35-9A-441(a)-(b) |