Alabama Security Deposit Demand Letter
In Alabama, a landlord has 60 days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions (as of 2026; source: Ala. Code §35-9A-201). This letter cites that deadline, states the amount and your forwarding address, and gives the landlord a date to respond before you file. Free, no signup.
Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
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Alabama deposit rules at a glance
- Return deadline
- 60 days after move-out
- Deposit cap
- 1 month's rent
As of 2026. Source: Ala. Code §35-9A-201 ↗. Want the exact due date? Use the deposit return calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Alabama landlord have to return the deposit?
60 days after you move out, as of 2026 (source: Ala. Code §35-9A-201). Counted in calendar days; check the statute for whether the clock starts at move-out, lease end, or receipt of your forwarding address, and whether a weekend deadline rolls over. Use the deposit return calculator to get the exact date.
Is there a limit on how much deposit a Alabama landlord can charge?
Yes: 1 month's rent (as of 2026; source: Ala. Code §35-9A-201). If you paid more than the cap, say so in the letter; the excess is usually recoverable too.
How much can I sue for in Alabama if the landlord ignores this?
$6,000 exclusive of interest and costs on the small claims docket. Claims of $6,000-$20,000 go on the regular District Court civil docket; over $20,000 must be filed in Circuit Court. The court is the Small Claims Division (Small Claims Docket) of the District Court, and the filing fee is $35 (claims up to $1,500) / $109 ($1,500-$3,000) / $198 (over $3,000) per Ala. Code §12-19-71, plus service costs and county-specific add-ons. As of 2026; source: Ala. Code §12-12-31.
Do I need a lawyer in Alabama small claims?
Attorneys are allowed (not required); an attorney-fee award can only be sought by a party represented by a licensed attorney, and assignees of claims (e.g. collection buyers) must be represented by an attorney. Source: Ala. Code §12-12-31 (as of 2026).
Deposit rules in every state, cited to statute: security deposit limits by state.
How Alabama compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for Alabama: Ala. Code §35-9A-201 ↗.
- Deposit return deadline
Deposit return deadline: 60 days — about 2× the national median of 30 days across the 51 states with a statutory rule.
Ranked #1 of 51 states (tied with 2) — higher means more time for the landlord to return the deposit.
2 other states use the same figure.
Deposit return deadline in neighboring states — Florida (30 days), Georgia (30 days), Mississippi (45 days), Tennessee (30 days). Alabama's 60 days is the longest among its neighbors.
The rest of what Alabama requires
The figures below are Alabama's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full Alabama page for that document.
- Security deposit cap · as of 2026
- 1 month's rent Ala. Code §35-9A-201 ↗
- Deposit return deadline · as of 2026
- 60 days after move-out Ala. Code §35-9A-201 ↗
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026
- 30 days Ala. Code §35-9A-201 ↗
- Notice for unpaid rent · as of 2026
- 7 days to pay or quit Ala. Code § 35-9A-421 ↗
- Notice to cure a lease violation · as of 2026
- 7 days Ala. Code § 35-9A-421 ↗
- Small claims limit · as of 2026
- $6,000 Ala. Code §12-12-31 ↗
- Where you file · as of 2026
- Small Claims Division (Small Claims Docket) of the District Court · filing fee $35 (claims up to $1,500) / $109 ($1,500-$3,000) / $198 (over $3,000) per Ala. Code §12-19-71, plus service costs and county-specific add-ons Ala. Code §12-12-31 ↗
- Rental application fee · as of July 2026
- No statutory limit Alabama URLTA ↗
- Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026
- Not required Alabama DOR / DMV.ORG ↗
- Power of attorney signing · as of 2026
- Notarization recommended Ala. Code §26-1A-105 (form §26-1A-301) ↗
- LLC operating agreement · as of 2026
- Not required by statute, but it controls over the default rules Ala. Code § 10A-5A-1.02(l) ↗
- Recording a deed · as of 2026
- Judge of Probate (county Probate Office) · no witnesses Ala. Code § 35-4-20 ↗
Security deposit demand letter in other states
More Alabama legal forms
Different state? See security deposit demand letters by state →