Alabama's rule on getting a security deposit back turns on a feature the national template does not capture: The cap is 1 month's rent (exceptions for pets, alterations, or increased liability). The return deadline is 60 days after termination of the tenancy, with an itemized statement of deductions. Interest: No statewide interest requirement for ordinary residential deposits. The controlling authority is Ala. Code § 35-9A-201. Wrongful withholding can support recovery of the deposit plus damages under the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
Key takeaways
- Maximum deposit: 1 month's rent (exceptions for pets, alterations, or increased liability)
- Return deadline: 60 days after termination of the tenancy, with an itemized statement of deductions
- Interest: No statewide interest requirement for ordinary residential deposits.
- Penalties: Wrongful withholding can support recovery of the deposit plus damages under the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
- Primary authority: Ala. Code § 35-9A-201.
Worked example under Alabama law
The illustration below uses only rules already stated for Alabama. It is a research hypothetical, not a prediction of what a court will do.
A residential tenant moves out of a Alabama rental and the landlord has not returned the deposit.
- Check the cap that applied when the deposit was collected: 1 month's rent (exceptions for pets, alterations, or increased liability).
- Calendar the return deadline: 60 days after termination of the tenancy, with an itemized statement of deductions
- Interest, if any: No statewide interest requirement for ordinary residential deposits.
- If the landlord keeps money without the required accounting: Wrongful withholding can support recovery of the deposit plus damages under the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
Alabama caps most residential security deposits at one month’s rent under Ala. Code § 35-9A-201. After move-out, the landlord generally has 60 days to return the balance and itemize lawful deductions. Tenants should provide a forwarding address in writing. Disputes are commonly brought in small claims or district court.
Deposit limits in Alabama
1 month's rent (exceptions for pets, alterations, or increased liability)
When the deposit must be returned
60 days after termination of the tenancy, with an itemized statement of deductions
Interest and accounting
No statewide interest requirement for ordinary residential deposits.
Penalties for wrongful withholding
Wrongful withholding can support recovery of the deposit plus damages under the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
Practical process for tenants and landlords
Alabama caps most residential security deposits at one month’s rent under Ala. Code § 35-9A-201. After move-out, the landlord generally has 60 days to return the balance and itemize lawful deductions. Tenants should provide a forwarding address in writing. Disputes are commonly brought in small claims or district court.
Document the unit with dated photos or video at move-in and move-out, keep the lease and any inspection checklist, and send a dated written demand if the deadline passes without a lawful accounting.
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Case law: security deposits in Alabama
Marlene Sam v. C. James Beaird.
Marlene Sam v. C. James Beaird., 685 So. 2d 742 (1996)
…ourt entered a judgment for Sam for $167, the amount of the security deposit, but the court awarded no other damages. Sam appealed to the Mobile County Circuit Court. In the Circuit Court, Sam amended her complaint to add a claim for constructive eviction. The case was tried before a jury in October 1995. After Sam had presented her case, Beaird filed a motion for a directed ve…
On security deposits, Marlene Sam v. C. James Beaird. speaks to the Alabama dispute in this passage: "Sam for $167, the amount of the security deposit, but the court awarded no other damages. Sam appealed to the Mobile County Circuit Court. In the Circuit Court, Sam amended her complaint to add a claim for constructive eviction. The case was tried before a jury in October 1995." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
Homecorp, a Corporation v. Secor Bank, a Federal Savings Bank.
Homecorp, a Corporation v. Secor Bank, a Federal Savings Bank., 659 So. 2d 15 (1994)
…e rents, issues, and profits from an apartment complex; (2) security deposits paid by tenants who continued in possession after foreclosure; *Page 16 and (3) ad valorem taxes that had been escrowed but not paid. One of the principal issues presented is the legal effect of a "nonrecourse" provision in the mortgage and loan agreements. The trial court interpreted the provisions o…
Homecorp, a Corporation v. Secor Bank, a Federal Savings Bank. is worth reading on Alabama security deposits because the court put the point in its own words: "Page 16 and (3) ad valorem taxes that had been escrowed but not paid. One of the principal issues presented is the legal effect of a 'nonrecourse' provision in the mortgage and loan agreements." Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.
Subway Real Estate Corporation v. Century Plaza Company. Geneice L. Dancy, Benjamin B. Lofton, and Bbl Group, Inc
…disputes involving construction costs, the BBL note, and a security deposit. Subway argues that it presented evidence that it does not owe amounts claimed by Century for construction costs, the BBL note, or the security deposit, while Century presented evidence that Subway does owe these amounts. Century argues that, even if Subway does not owe these amounts, Subway was nevert…
Alabama opinions such as Subway Real Estate Corporation v. Century Plaza Company. Geneice L. Dancy, Benjamin B. Lofton, and Bbl Group, Inc are cited where security deposits is disputed. The court stated: "BBL note, and a security deposit. Subway argues that it presented evidence that it does not owe amounts claimed by Century for construction costs, the BBL note, or the security deposit, while Century presented evidence that Subway does owe these amounts." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
Steve E. Barnett v. Robert R. Quinn, Jr., and Quinn Enterprises, Inc.
Steve E. Barnett v. Robert R. Quinn, Jr., and Quinn Enterprises, Inc., 979 So. 2d 816 (2007)
…amount included the first and last month's rent and a $300 security deposit. Both lease documents provided: "This lease shall become null and void in the event said building should be entirely destroyed by fire or other casualty, or in the event said building should be condemned and ordered torn down or removed by due process of law, and the liability of the Tenant for the ren…
Steve E. Barnett v. Robert R. Quinn, Jr., and Quinn Enterprises, Inc. is worth reading on Alabama security deposits because the court put the point in its own words: "amount included the first and last month's rent and a $300 security deposit. Both lease documents provided: 'This lease shall become null and void in the event said building should be entirely destroyed by fire or other casualty, or in the event said building should be condemned" Use that passage as the starting point, then read the facts that precede it.
Steve EVANS v. W.G. WALDROP
Steve EVANS v. W.G. WALDROP, 2016 Ala. Civ. App. LEXIS 198 (2016)
…a check in the amount of $2,400 for one month’s rent and a “security deposit.” Evans testified that he had informed Waldrop that Miller had executed a sublease and that, “within probably two or three days,” Waldrop told Evans that “he had changed his mind.” One of the recorded telephone conversations between Waldrop and Evans indicates that Wal-drop’s other tenants had expresse…
On security deposits, Steve EVANS v. W.G. WALDROP speaks to the Alabama dispute in this passage: "Evans testified that he had informed Waldrop that Miller had executed a sublease and that, “within probably two or three days,” Waldrop told Evans that “he had changed his mind." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
CHANTILLY PROPERTIES I, LLC v. David P. JUSTICE d/b/a Mattress Fair
…ted that he owed two months’ worth of rental fees minus his security deposit but that he owed nothing else because he had validly invoked an “escape clause” in the lease. After a brief ore tenus proceeding, the trial court entered a judgment in favor of the landlord but assessed damages at $10,000. Following the denial of the landlord’s postjudgment motion to alter, amend, or v…
On security deposits, CHANTILLY PROPERTIES I, LLC v. David P. JUSTICE d/b/a Mattress Fair speaks to the Alabama dispute in this passage: "After a brief ore tenus proceeding, the trial court entered a judgment in favor of the landlord but assessed damages at $10,000." The surrounding opinion shows how the court applied that language to the record.
Robert Thacker v. Bryan Tabor and Suzanne Tabor.
Robert Thacker v. Bryan Tabor and Suzanne Tabor., 1988 Ala. Civ. App. LEXIS 23 (1988)
…l damages amounted to $5,362.74. The tenant had paid a $250 security deposit which was credited against the total amount of damages. We find that the trial court used the proper standard for determining the amount of damages — the cost of repairs necessary to return the building to the condition contemplated by the terms of the lease. Collins v. Windsor, 505 So.2d 1205 (Ala.198…
Alabama opinions such as Robert Thacker v. Bryan Tabor and Suzanne Tabor. are cited where security deposits is disputed. The court stated: "The tenant had paid a $250 security deposit which was credited against the total amount of damages." That is the language to brief; the rest of the decision supplies the procedural posture.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Alabama?
1 month's rent (exceptions for pets, alterations, or increased liability)
How long does a landlord have to return my deposit?
60 days after termination of the tenancy, with an itemized statement of deductions
What if my landlord keeps the deposit without an itemized list?
Wrongful withholding can support recovery of the deposit plus damages under the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
This guide covers Alabama residential security-deposit law as of 2026. Commercial leases and local ordinances can differ — verify the statute that applies to your unit.