State law · statute quotes
Alabama security deposit laws for landlords and property managers
The words of Alabama's security deposit statute on each topic, quoted verbatim with pinpoint citations and links to the official source. No summaries, no interpretation.
Reviewed by Mark Shvaya, licensed California real estate broker (DRE #02243502), who uses ProFlow360 in a rental portfolio Mark manages
Last reviewed
Quoted on this page
- Deposit limit
- Returning the deposit
- Itemized statement
- Inspections and condition reports
- Photographs
- Normal wear and tear
- Interest
- Wrongful withholding
Ala. Code § 35-9A-201
On this page
What this page covers
Alabama's residential security deposit provisions quoted here come from Ala. Code § 35-9A-201. Below are the statute's own words on 4 topics, each with a pinpoint citation and a link to the official text. This page does not summarize or interpret the law.
What does Alabama law say about the amount of a security deposit?
(a) A landlord may not demand or receive money as security, in an amount in excess of one month’s periodic rent, except for pets, changes to the premises, or increased liability risks to the landlord or premises, for tenant’s obligations under a rental agreement.
What does Alabama law say about returning the deposit?
(b) Upon termination of the tenancy, money held by the landlord as security may be applied to the payment of accrued rent and the amount of damages that the landlord has suffered by reason of the tenant’s noncompliance with Section 35-9A-301 all as itemized by the landlord in a written notice delivered to the tenant together with the amount due 60 days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession.
What does Alabama law say about an itemized statement of deductions?
(c) If the landlord does not refund the entire deposit, the landlord, within the 60-day period, shall provide the tenant an itemized list of amounts withheld.
What does Alabama law say about wrongful withholding?
(f) 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.
Not quoted on this page
inspections and condition reports, photographs, normal wear and tear, interest. That does not mean Alabama law is silent on them; other sections or local rules may apply. Read the full statute.
Has Alabama's security deposit law changed recently?
From our review of the official history notes: History note: (Act 2006-316, p. 668, §1; Act 2014-279, p. 886, §1.) No 2024-2026 amendments shown.
How does ProFlow360 help you document a Alabama tenancy?
ProFlow360 records and organizes inspection evidence; it does not tell you what the statute requires or allows. What it records, for any state:
- Move-in, routine, pre-move-out and move-out inspections with photos timestamped at capture.
- Each move-out photo beside its move-in match, filed under the tenancy.
- Itemized lines with your classification, the amount you entered, and the estimate or invoice attached.
- An issued record that is sealed, shared by a link that expires and can be revoked.
Do this in ProFlow360
Keep the photos, the call and the invoice on the same line
Every deduction line carries the move-in and move-out photos, your classification and its documents, so the record can be followed by someone who was not there.
Kitchen · counter burn, left of range
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MI-21 · Jul 12, 2024
MO-29 · Sep 30, 2026Security deposit statutes in nearby states
Sources
Sources checked October 16, 2026.
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