State law guide · Checked November 14, 2026

Alabama landlord rules: late fees, deposits and rent increases

Alabama's landlord and tenant act says little about late fees and rent increases, and it is specific about deposits. Here is what the Code of Alabama says, with the section for each rule.

Late fees in Alabama

Limit

None in the statute. The chapter mentions late fees in the nonpayment notice section, which refers to "any late fees owed", but it sets no limit. Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(b)

Grace period

None in the statute. Rent is payable without demand or notice at the time and place agreed upon by the parties. Ala. Code § 35-9A-161(c)

Other conditions

None specific to late fees. A court can refuse to enforce a lease term it finds unconscionable. A lease can't make the tenant agree to pay the landlord's attorney's fees or cost of collection. Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-143(a), 35-9A-163(a)(3)

Security deposits in Alabama

Maximum deposit

One month's periodic rent. More can be demanded for pets, changes to the premises, or increased liability risks. The statute sets no limit on those extra amounts. Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(a)

Return deadline

60 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant delivers possession. The tenant must give the landlord a written forwarding address. A deposit the tenant doesn't claim is forfeited after 90 days. Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(b), (c)

Itemized deductions

Required, in writing, within the same 60 days. Mailing the refund or the itemized list to the tenant's written forwarding address within the 60 days is enough. Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(b), (c), (e)

Interest

The statute doesn't require it. Ala. Code § 35-9A-201

How it's held

No special account or bond in the statute. The statute requires no separate account and no bond. Ala. Code § 35-9A-201

Penalty

The landlord pays the tenant double the original deposit if no timely refund or accounting is mailed. The statute ties the double amount to a failure to mail within the 60 days. It does not bar the landlord or tenant from recovering other damages. Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(f), (g)

Rent increases in Alabama

Notice to raise rent

No statute sets a notice period for a rent increase. The closest rule covers ending a month-to-month tenancy: written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date. Check your lease for its own notice term. Ala. Code § 35-9A-441(b)

Statewide cap

None in the statute. A landlord may not retaliate by discriminatorily increasing rent. Ala. Code § 35-9A-501(a)

City rent control

Not allowed. A county, city, town or other local government may not enact, maintain or enforce a rule that controls the rent charged for leasing private property. Ala. Code § 11-80-8.1(b)

This page covers Alabama state law for ordinary residential rentals. Cities and counties can add their own rules, and subsidized housing and mobile home lots follow different ones.

Questions landlords ask

Free templates you can use in Alabama

These are plain templates that aren’t tied to one state. Fill in the numbers your statute and lease call for.

• Rent increase letter kit: increase notice, renewal offer, pricing worksheet and delivery log.
• Late rent notice kit: friendly reminder, past-due notice, payment plan and delivery log.
• Security deposit return kit: itemized return letter, wear-and-tear guide and move-out checklist.
• Move-in kit: inspection checklist and deposit receipt, signed by the tenant.
• Rent ledger: running tenant balances and printable statements.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. It summarizes state statutes as read on November 14, 2026; laws change and courts interpret them. Check the current statute (Code of Alabama, Title 35, chapter 9A) or talk to a local attorney before you act.