Alabama Security Deposit Rules (2026)
Alabama caps most residential deposits at 1 month's rent under § 35-9A-201, with narrow exceptions for pet deposits and tenants with risk factors.
Statute: Ala. Code § 35-9A-201
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Maximum deposit
Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 — 1 month's rent for most residential tenancies. Exceptions: pet deposits, deposits tied to risk factors (verifiable damage potential), and certain other items may be charged separately — verify scope.
Return deadline
Within 60 days after termination of tenancy (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201). Send balance plus an itemized statement.
Penalties
Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(f) — failure to provide a timely refund or accounting exposes the landlord to liability for an amount equal to double the original deposit. § 35-9A-201 does not itself authorize attorney fees on the deposit-retention claim; any fee award would have to come from a separate basis.
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