Landlords and tenants have rights and obligations regarding security deposits and prepaid rent under the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act as outlined below:
A Maximum of One Month’s Rent
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.
Return within 60 Days
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. Any remaining amount due must be returned within 60 days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession. 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.
NOTE: 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.
Tenant Forwarding Address
Upon vacating the premises, the tenant shall provide to the landlord a valid forwarding address, in writing, to which the deposit or itemized accounting, or both, may be mailed. If the tenant fails to provide a valid forwarding address, the landlord shall mail, by first class mail, the deposit or itemized accounting, or both, to the last known address of the tenant or, if none, to the tenant at the address of the property. Any deposit unclaimed by the tenant as well as any check outstanding shall be forfeited by the tenant after a period of 90 days.
First Class Mail
The landlord’s mailing by first class mail to the address provided in writing by the tenant, within 60 days of the refund or itemized accounting, or both, is sufficient compliance with this law.
Other Damages
These requirements do not preclude the landlord or tenant from recovering other damages to which the landlord or tenant may be entitled.
Other Owners
The holder of the landlord’s interest in the premises at the time of the termination of the tenancy is bound by these requirements.
Section 35-9A-201 (Act 2006-316, p. 668, §1; Act 2014-279, p. 886, §1.)
Return to Alabama Landlord-Tenant Laws.