Alabama security deposit law

Security Deposit Laws in Alabama: What Your Landlord Can and Cannot Keep

Your landlord has 60 days under Alabama law to return your security deposit, or you may be owed more than what they withheld. If they keep more than they're legally allowed, you can dispute it.

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Alabama security deposit return timeline

Deadline to return

60 days

Statute

Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 (deadline at (b)–(e); penalty at (f))

Within 60 days after BOTH termination of the tenancy AND delivery of possession, the landlord must deliver the itemized written notice together with any amount due. The tenant must give the landlord a valid written forwarding address upon vacating; absent one, the landlord mails first-class to the last known address or the property address, and timely first-class mailing is sufficient compliance. CAUTION: any deposit (or outstanding refund check) unclaimed by the tenant is FORFEITED 90 days after mailing — respond to any refund mailing promptly. Deposit cap: one month's rent, except additional amounts for pets, premises alterations, or increased liability risks.

What can a landlord legally deduct in Alabama?

Allowed

  • ✓Accrued rent
  • ✓Damages the landlord suffered by reason of the tenant's noncompliance with § 35-9A-301, all as itemized in a written notice

Not allowed

  • ✗Anything outside the two categories above

What if your landlord keeps your deposit wrongfully in Alabama?

If the landlord fails to mail a timely refund or accounting within the 60-day period, the landlord SHALL pay the tenant DOUBLE the amount of the tenant's ORIGINAL DEPOSIT (§ 35-9A-201(f)) — the doubling attaches to the whole original deposit, not merely the withheld portion, and no bad-faith showing is required.

How TenantNex helps

  1. 1. Tell us your move-out date, deposit amount, and landlord's address — two minutes.
  2. 2. We generate a demand letter citing Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 (deadline at (b)–(e); penalty at (f)) and your exact deadline.
  3. 3. We mail it to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt.
  4. 4. You track delivery on your case page, with day-7 and day-14 follow-up.

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Alabama tenant rights resources

Every fact on this page is verified against Alabama's official statutory text as of 2026-09-07. TenantNex prepares legal correspondence as a document preparation service, not as your attorney. For complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney in Alabama.

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  • Demand letter citing your state statute, deadline, and penalty
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  • Day-7 and day-14 follow-up with your next steps
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What TenantNex is — and isn't

TenantNex is a document preparation and delivery service, not a law firm. We prepare and send correspondence using publicly available state statutes. We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or guarantee any outcome. For complex legal matters, consult a licensed attorney in your state.