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Alabama Security Deposit Law

An Alabama landlord may collect up to 1 month's rent as a security deposit, with 3 exceptions to that limit. It must refund the deposit, or an itemized list of deductions, within 60 calendar days after move-out.

Last verified: 2026-10-27 · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed

Alabama deposit rules

Alabama security deposit rules at a glance
Rule	What the law says
Deposit limit	1 month's rent (with exceptions)Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(a)
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)
Itemized deductions	RequiredAla. Code § 35-9A-201(b)-(c)
Interest on deposit	Not required statewideAla. Code § 35-9A-201 (silent on interest)

Maximum deposit

Landlords may not collect a security deposit above one month's periodic rent, except for added deposits tied to pets, changes to the premises, or increased liability risks (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(a)). (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(a))

One month's periodic rent; additional amounts allowed for pets, changes to the premises, or increased liability risks

Exceptions

Pets → no limit
Changes (alterations) to the premises → no limit
Increased liability risks to the landlord or premises → no limit

Return deadline

Landlords must mail the deposit refund and/or an itemized list of amounts withheld within 60 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant delivers possession (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(b), (c), (e)). (Ala. 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))

Itemized statement of deductions

A landlord who keeps any part of the deposit must give the tenant a written itemized list of amounts withheld within the 60-day period (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(b)-(c)). (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(b)-(c))

Interest on the deposit

Alabama law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 is silent). (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 (silent on interest))

Penalty for wrongful withholding

A landlord who fails to mail a refund or itemized accounting within 60 days must pay the tenant double the original deposit (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(f)). (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(f)-(g), Ala. Code § 35-9A-163(a)(1), (b) (lease may not waive deposit requirements; up to one month's rent plus attorney's fees if landlord knowingly enforces prohibited term))

More Alabama deposit rules

Where the deposit is held

Alabama does not tell landlords where to keep a security deposit, so there is no separate-account, escrow or anti-commingling rule (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201). (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 (deposit section; silent))

Receipt or written notice of the deposit

Nothing in Alabama's landlord-tenant act requires a written receipt for a deposit or a notice saying where the money is held (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201). (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 (deposit section; silent))

Move-in condition checklist

Alabama has no statutory move-in inspection or condition checklist, and deductions are not tied to one (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201). (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 (deposit section; silent))

Pet deposits

Alabama's one-month deposit cap does not cover deposits for pets, so a landlord may require a pet deposit on top of the regular deposit, with no statutory limit on its size (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(a)). (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(a))

Pet deposits are one of three stated exceptions to the one-month cap, and the statute sets no ceiling on the extra amount.

Nonrefundable fees

Alabama statutes neither ban nor regulate nonrefundable move-in, cleaning or application fees (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201). (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 (deposit section; silent), Ala. Code § 35-9A-163 (prohibited lease terms; no fee rule))

Small-landlord exemptions

Alabama's deposit rules apply to every landlord covered by the act regardless of size; the act excludes only arrangements such as hotels, institutions, employer housing and a seller staying on after a sale (Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-122, 35-9A-201). (Ala. Code § 35-9A-122, Ala. Code § 35-9A-201)

Deposit alternatives and installments

There is no Alabama statute on surety bonds, deposit insurance, waiver fees or installment payment of deposits (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201). (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 (deposit section; silent))

How Alabama compares

Alabama shares its 1-month cap with 14 other states among the 50 states and DC. Its 60 days return window: 46 faster, none longer.

Alabama and neighboring states: security deposit rules
State	Deposit limit	Return deadline	Itemized deductions
Alabama	1 month's rent (with exceptions)Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(a)	60 days after move-outAla. Code § 35-9A-201(b)-(f)	RequiredAla. Code § 35-9A-201(b)-(c)
Florida	No state cap	15 days after the lease ends	Required
Georgia	2 months' rent	30 days after move-out	Required
Mississippi	No state cap	45 days after the triggering event	Required
Tennessee	No state cap	No fixed deadline	Required

Alabama deposit return deadline calculator

Move-out date

Example: Deadline: Wednesday, April 1, 2026

60 calendar days after move-out on Saturday, January 31, 2026.

Weekend and holiday flags use the federal holidays in 5 U.S.C. § 6103; Alabama state holidays are not checked.

Maximum deposit in Alabama

Monthly rent (USD)

Example: $2,000 a month

Maximum deposit: $2,000 (1 month's rent × $2,000; Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(a))

Where an exception applies

Pets: no limit
Changes (alterations) to the premises: no limit
Increased liability risks to the landlord or premises: no limit

Put the deposit terms in a lease

Write a deposit of no more than 1 month's rent and the 60-day return window into an Alabama lease. Creating it is free with no card; an account is needed to save or e-sign.

Create an Alabama lease

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