Deposit laws by state › Alabama
State law · Alabama
Alabama security deposit law
How long your landlord has to return your deposit, what they can deduct, and what happens if they get it wrong.
Short answer: Within 60 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant returns possession, the landlord must refund the deposit, minus itemized unpaid rent and damage.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Alabama?
- Return deadline
- Within 60 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant returns possession, the landlord must refund the deposit, minus itemized unpaid rent and damage.Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(b)
- Itemized list
- Within the same 60 days, the landlord must give an itemized list of amounts withheld.Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(c)
- Forwarding address
- On moving out the tenant must give the landlord a valid forwarding address in writing. A refund that goes unclaimed for 90 days is forfeited by the tenant.Ala. Code § 35-9A-201
Prefer a full page? Use the security deposit deadline calculator.
What happens if an Alabama landlord misses the deadline?
- If the landlord misses it
- Alabama's remedy is double the original deposit rather than a stated forfeiture.Ala. Code § 35-9A-201
- Penalty
- A landlord who fails to refund as required must pay the tenant double the amount of the tenant's original deposit.Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(f)
What can an Alabama landlord deduct from your deposit?
What can be deducted: Unpaid rent, and damages caused by the tenant's failure to meet the tenant's duties under the landlord-tenant act. (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(b))
What the itemized list must include: An itemized list of amounts withheld. (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(c))
Alabama's deposit statute does not separately define normal wear and tear. See what counts as normal wear and tear for how it is generally treated.
More on common charges: normal wear and tear, cleaning, painting, and a missing itemized list.
Is there a limit on security deposits in Alabama?
A landlord may not require a deposit of more than one month's rent. (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(a))
Alabama allows additional deposits for pets, for changes to the unit, and for activities that increase the landlord's liability risk, so a larger total can be legal.
Taking a deposit case to small claims court in Alabama
Small-claims limit: Alabama small claims covers claims up to $6,000. (Alabama district court guidance)
Most deposit disputes never get that far. A clear demand letter, sent by certified mail, often settles them first.
What to do if your Alabama landlord kept your deposit
- Pin down your dates. When you moved out, returned the keys, and gave a forwarding address in writing. Compare them with the deadline above.
- Gather your evidence. Move-in and move-out photos, the lease, the landlord's list of deductions, receipts and messages. The case checklist covers what matters.
- Send a demand letter by certified mail. Ask for the money, cite Alabama's rules, and give a deadline to pay. What a demand letter does.
- If they still don't pay, consider small claims court. You don't need a lawyer there.
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Sources
These rules come from the same verified table the Demand Letter Companion uses, checked against the sources below on October 25, 2026. Laws change; check the current official text before relying on a date.
- Ala. Code § 35-9A-201: alison.legislature.state.al.us
- Alabama district court guidance: cherokee.alacourt.gov
Other states: see the guides for all 50 states and DC
This page is general legal information, not legal advice. Local ordinances can add rules, and your lease and facts matter. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed attorney in Alabama.