Landlord-tenant law

Alabama Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notice periods, lease termination requirements, and late fee rules for Alabama.

Not legal advice. Current as of May 2026. Verify with a local attorney before any compliance decision.

$
Security Deposit Max
1 month's rent
Ala. Code § 35-9A-201
↩
Deposit Return Deadline
60 days
Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(b)
!
Non-Payment Eviction Notice
7-day notice to pay or quit
Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(b)
✕
Month-to-Month Termination
30 days
Ala. Code § 35-9A-441(b)
¢
Late Fee Cap
No statutory cap (must be reasonable and stated in lease)
⏱
Grace Period
No statutory grace period (7-day eviction notice functions as de-facto cure window)
Alabama specific notes

Alabama applies its Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act only in counties that have specifically adopted it (most populous counties have). Verify local adoption before citing statewide rules.

FAQ

Common Alabama landlord questions

What is the maximum security deposit in Alabama?+
1 month's rent. Governed by Ala. Code § 35-9A-201. Deposit must be returned within 60 days after the lease ends.
What notice is required to evict a tenant in Alabama for non-payment of rent?+
7-day notice to pay or quit. Per Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(b). This is the notice period before a landlord can file an eviction lawsuit.
How much notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in Alabama?+
30 days. Per Ala. Code § 35-9A-441(b). This applies to no-cause terminations of month-to-month leases.
Are late fees regulated in Alabama?+
No statutory cap (must be reasonable and stated in lease). Grace period: No statutory grace period (7-day eviction notice functions as de-facto cure window). Even where no statutory cap exists, late fees must be reasonable and clearly disclosed in the lease.
References

Authoritative sources for Alabama

Compare

See how Alabama stacks up

Deposit Limits — All 50
Side-by-side max deposit and return deadlines.
Eviction Notice — All 50
Notice periods for non-payment and termination.
Late Fee Laws — All 50
Caps and grace periods.
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