Alabama Landlord-Tenant Laws: Key Rental Rules (2026)
Security deposits, notice periods, landlord entry, and other key rental rules in Alabama, each linked to the state law it comes from.
By the ListMyHomes.com™ Editorial TeamPublished Last reviewed
This page summarizes the main landlord-tenant rules in Alabama. Each rule in the table below links to the law it comes from.
Key rules at a glance
| Rule | Alabama |
|---|---|
| Where these laws apply | Code of Alabama Title 35, Chapter 9A applies to rental agreements for dwelling units located in Alabama, with no county or population limit. Counties and municipalities may not enact or enforce resolutions or ordinances on residential landlords, rental housing codes, or residential landlord and tenant rights and obligations; they may enact and enforce building codes, health codes and other general laws that affect rental property if those laws equally affect similarly situated owner-occupied residential property. Unless set up to avoid the chapter, it does not govern residence at an institution incidental to detention or to medical, geriatric, educational, counseling, religious or similar services; occupancy by a buyer under a contract of sale; occupancy by a member of a fraternal or social organization in its building; transient occupancy in a hotel, motel or lodgings; occupancy by an employee whose right to occupy depends on employment in and about the premises; occupancy by a condominium unit owner or a cooperative proprietary lease holder; rentals primarily for agricultural purposes; or a seller or the seller's family staying on for no more than 36 months after a sale. Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-121, 35-9A-122 |
| Security deposit limit | One month's periodic rent, except for pets, changes to the premises, or increased liability risks to the landlord or premises. Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(a) |
| Where deposits are held | No rule on where or how a deposit is held in Code of Alabama Title 35, Chapter 9A. Ala. Code tit. 35, ch. 9A (no provision) |
| Returning the deposit | Within 60 days after the tenancy ends and possession is delivered, the landlord must refund the deposit or give the tenant a written, itemized accounting of amounts withheld together with any amount due. On moving out, the tenant must give the landlord a valid forwarding address in writing; if the tenant does not, the landlord must mail the refund or accounting by first class mail to the tenant's last known address or, if none, to the rental property's address. A deposit left unclaimed, or a refund check left outstanding, is forfeited by the tenant after 90 days. If the landlord does not mail a timely refund or accounting within the 60 days, the landlord must pay the tenant double the original deposit. Whoever holds the landlord's interest in the premises when the tenancy ends is bound by these rules. Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(b)-(d), (f), (h) |
| Deposit deductions | Accrued rent, and damages the landlord has suffered because of the tenant's noncompliance with Code of Alabama Section 35-9A-301, all itemized in a written notice to the tenant. Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(b) |
| Interest on deposits | |
| Landlord entry notice | Except as the section otherwise provides or where it is impracticable, the landlord may show the premises at reasonable times by giving at least two days' notice of the intent to enter, and may enter only at reasonable times; a note posted on the tenant's main entry door stating the time and purpose of the entry is a permitted form of notice. No additional notice is needed when the landlord has given, separately from the lease, a general notice or an advance schedule of more than two days for repairs, maintenance, pest control or health or safety service; the tenant may agree to entry with less than two days' notice. The tenant may not unreasonably refuse consent to entry to inspect, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or show the unit to prospective or actual buyers, mortgagees, tenants, workers or contractors. A tenant who asks for repairs, maintenance or improvements is treated as consenting to entry to do that work. The landlord may not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Without the tenant's consent, the landlord may enter only in an emergency; under a court order; as permitted by Sections 35-9A-422 and 35-9A-423(b); at reasonable times with the notice above to show the unit to a prospective tenant or buyer, in their company, if the tenant signed a general notice, separate from the lease, allowing such access within four months of the lease's expiration; or when the landlord has reasonable cause to believe the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises. Ala. Code § 35-9A-303 |
| Notice to end a month-to-month lease | Either the landlord or the tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy by written notice given at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice. A week-to-week tenancy may be ended by written notice given at least 7 days before the termination date named in the notice. Unless the lease sets a definite term, a tenancy is week-to-week if the tenant pays weekly rent and month-to-month in all other cases. Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-441(a), (b), 35-9A-161(d) |
| Rent-increase notice | No notice period in Code of Alabama Title 35, Chapter 9A. A landlord may not retaliate by discriminatorily raising rent because the tenant complained to a government agency responsible for enforcing a building or housing code about a violation materially affecting health and safety, complained to the landlord of a violation of Section 35-9A-204, or organized or joined a tenants' union or similar organization. Ala. Code tit. 35, ch. 9A (no provision); Ala. Code § 35-9A-501(a) |
| Late fees | No limit or grace period in Code of Alabama Title 35, Chapter 9A. Ala. Code tit. 35, ch. 9A (no provision) |
| Notice for unpaid rent | If rent is unpaid when due, the landlord may give a written notice to terminate stating the rent and any late fees owed, with a termination date at least seven business days after the tenant receives it; if the tenant does not pay within the seven business days, the rental agreement ends. Without the landlord's express written consent, a tenant may not cure a breach of the lease more than two times in any 12-month period. Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(b), (d) |
| Rent control | Not allowed. Counties, cities, towns and other local governmental units may not enact, maintain or enforce an ordinance, resolution or rule that would have the effect of controlling the amount of rent charged for leasing private property. This does not limit a local governmental unit's right to manage and control property in which it has a property interest. Ala. Code § 11-80-8.1 |
| Required landlord disclosures | In writing, at or before the start of the tenancy, the landlord or anyone authorized to sign leases for the landlord must disclose the name and business address of the person authorized to manage the premises, and of an owner or a person authorized to act for the owner to receive service of process, notices and demands. This information must be kept current and binds any successor landlord, owner or manager. A person who does not make this disclosure becomes the landlord's agent for service of process, notices and demands, and for performing the landlord's obligations. Ala. Code § 35-9A-202 Federal law: For housing built before 1978 (with limited exceptions): before the tenant is bound by the lease, the landlord must give the EPA lead-hazard pamphlet and disclose any known lead-based paint or hazards and any available reports. 42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR 745.107 |
| Fair housing protected classes | Race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin and handicap. These are the same classes as the federal Fair Housing Act. Ala. Code § 24-8-4(1), (6); 42 U.S.C. § 3604 |
What this means for renters
Before you sign, compare the lease's deposit amount, rent due date, and late-fee terms with the rules above. At move-in, record the unit's condition with dated photos. When you move out, give the written notice your lease and the rules above call for, leave a forwarding address, and keep copies of everything you send and receive.
What this means for landlords who manage their own rental
List the unit with its rent, deposit, and lease terms. Screen every applicant by the same written criteria, within fair-housing law. Collect the deposit and give notices following the rules above, and keep records of the unit's condition at move-in and move-out.
List your rental on ListMyHomes.com for one flat fee, or browse rentals in Alabama listed directly by owners.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Alabama?
One month's periodic rent, except for pets, changes to the premises, or increased liability risks to the landlord or premises. See the source in the table above.
How long does a Alabama landlord have to return a security deposit?
Within 60 days after the tenancy ends and possession is delivered, the landlord must refund the deposit or give the tenant a written, itemized accounting of amounts withheld together with any amount due. On moving out, the tenant must give the landlord a valid forwarding address in writing; if the tenant does not, the landlord must mail the refund or accounting by first class mail to the tenant's last known address or, if none, to the rental property's address. A deposit left unclaimed, or a refund check left outstanding, is forfeited by the tenant after 90 days. If the landlord does not mail a timely refund or accounting within the 60 days, the landlord must pay the tenant double the original deposit. Whoever holds the landlord's interest in the premises when the tenancy ends is bound by these rules. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Alabama landlord give before entering?
Except as the section otherwise provides or where it is impracticable, the landlord may show the premises at reasonable times by giving at least two days' notice of the intent to enter, and may enter only at reasonable times; a note posted on the tenant's main entry door stating the time and purpose of the entry is a permitted form of notice. No additional notice is needed when the landlord has given, separately from the lease, a general notice or an advance schedule of more than two days for repairs, maintenance, pest control or health or safety service; the tenant may agree to entry with less than two days' notice. The tenant may not unreasonably refuse consent to entry to inspect, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or show the unit to prospective or actual buyers, mortgagees, tenants, workers or contractors. A tenant who asks for repairs, maintenance or improvements is treated as consenting to entry to do that work. The landlord may not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Without the tenant's consent, the landlord may enter only in an emergency; under a court order; as permitted by Sections 35-9A-422 and 35-9A-423(b); at reasonable times with the notice above to show the unit to a prospective tenant or buyer, in their company, if the tenant signed a general notice, separate from the lease, allowing such access within four months of the lease's expiration; or when the landlord has reasonable cause to believe the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises. See the source in the table above.
How much notice ends a month-to-month lease in Alabama?
Either the landlord or the tenant may end a month-to-month tenancy by written notice given at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice. A week-to-week tenancy may be ended by written notice given at least 7 days before the termination date named in the notice. Unless the lease sets a definite term, a tenancy is week-to-week if the tenant pays weekly rent and month-to-month in all other cases. See the source in the table above.
How much notice is required for a rent increase in Alabama?
No notice period in Code of Alabama Title 35, Chapter 9A. A landlord may not retaliate by discriminatorily raising rent because the tenant complained to a government agency responsible for enforcing a building or housing code about a violation materially affecting health and safety, complained to the landlord of a violation of Section 35-9A-204, or organized or joined a tenants' union or similar organization. See the source in the table above.
How much can a Alabama landlord charge for late rent?
No limit or grace period in Code of Alabama Title 35, Chapter 9A. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Alabama landlord give when rent is unpaid?
If rent is unpaid when due, the landlord may give a written notice to terminate stating the rent and any late fees owed, with a termination date at least seven business days after the tenant receives it; if the tenant does not pay within the seven business days, the rental agreement ends. Without the landlord's express written consent, a tenant may not cure a breach of the lease more than two times in any 12-month period. See the source in the table above.
Does Alabama have rent control?
Not allowed. Counties, cities, towns and other local governmental units may not enact, maintain or enforce an ordinance, resolution or rule that would have the effect of controlling the amount of rent charged for leasing private property. This does not limit a local governmental unit's right to manage and control property in which it has a property interest. See the source in the table above.
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