Know your rights as a renter in Alabama. This guide covers security deposits, landlord entry, rent increases, eviction protections, and more under Alabama law.
Legal basis: Alabama landlord-tenant law — Alabama Code
1 month's rent (exceptions for pets, alterations, or increased liability; § 35-9A-201)
Return Deadline
60 days
Interest on deposits not required
Separate escrow account not required
Deposit & Fee Details
Penalties, interest & late-fee rules under Alabama law
Security deposit protections
If your deposit is wrongfully or late returned
If the landlord fails to mail a timely refund or itemized accounting within 60 days, the landlord must pay the tenant double the amount of the tenant's original deposit (§ 35-9A-201(f)).
Interest on your deposit is not required
Late-fee rules
Grace period
No grace period is required by law. Before ending the lease for unpaid rent, the landlord must give written notice and 7 business days to pay
Must be in the lease
Yes — a late fee is only enforceable if it is written into your lease
Governing statute: Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-161, 35-9A-421(b)
Landlord Entry Rights
Your privacy protections
Required Notice Period
2 days
to show the home; other entry needs your consent, which you may not unreasonably withhold, and you may agree to less notice (Ala. Code § 35-9A-303)
In Alabama, this notice is not a fixed minimum: you may consent to less than two days' notice.
Exceptions: Landlords may enter without notice in cases of emergency (fire, flooding, etc.) or if you've abandoned the property.
More Alabama Tenant Protections
How much notice is required to raise rent in Alabama?
No notice statute; no caps
•No Alabama statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before raising rent
•Either side can end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice at least 30 days before the rent date (Ala. Code § 35-9A-441(b))
•No statewide cap, and cities and counties may not cap rent (Ala. Code § 11-80-8.1)
•A landlord may not raise rent to retaliate for a code complaint or joining a tenant group (Ala. Code § 35-9A-501)
Legal basis: No Statute
How long does a landlord have to make repairs in Alabama?
14 days to fix after written notice
•Landlord must make repairs needed to keep the home habitable (Ala. Code § 35-9A-204)
•Written notice: if not fixed within 14 days, you can end the lease (Ala. Code § 35-9A-401)
•Heat, water, hot water, electricity or gas not made available: end the lease on 14 days' written notice, or sue for lost rental value (Ala. Code § 35-9A-404)
•No repair-and-deduct; if you counterclaim in an eviction, you must pay rent into court (Ala. Code § 35-9A-405)
Legal basis: Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-204, -401, -404
Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant in Alabama?
Protected
•Retaliation prohibited
•Cannot evict for complaints
•Document all communications
Legal basis: Alabama Code § 35-9A-501
Can a domestic violence survivor break a lease in Alabama?
No statewide early-exit law
•Alabama has no statewide law that lets a domestic violence victim end a lease early
•Alabama's landlord-tenant act also bars cities and counties from adding one (Ala. Code § 35-9A-121)
•A court protection order may be able to order the abuser out of the home
•If your home is federally assisted (public housing or a voucher), the federal Violence Against Women Act gives separate protections
•A domestic violence hotline (1-800-799-7233) or legal aid can help you plan a safe move
Legal basis: No state statute
Can a landlord lock you out or shut off utilities in Alabama?
Self-help illegal
•Self-help evictions illegal
•Court process required
•Call police if locked out
Legal basis: Alabama Code § 35-9A-427
Did You Know?
Important facts about Alabama rental law
1
Alabama has no cap on security deposits—landlords can charge any amount they choose.
2
Alabama landlords must return your deposit within 60 days after move-out.
3
Alabama doesn't require landlords to pay interest on security deposits.
4
In Alabama, landlords must provide at least 2 days' notice before entering (Ala. Code § 35-9A-303).
In Alabama, the security deposit limit is 1 month's rent (exceptions for pets, alterations, or increased liability; § 35-9A-201).
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Alabama?
Alabama landlords must return security deposits within 60 days after you move out.
How much notice must a landlord give before entering in Alabama?
In Alabama, landlords must give 2 days' notice before entering your rental unit (to show the home; other entry needs your consent, which you may not unreasonably withhold, and you may agree to less notice (Ala. Code § 35-9A-303)).
How much can a landlord charge for a late fee in Alabama?
Late fees in Alabama: No statutory cap. No grace period is required by law. Before ending the lease for unpaid rent, the landlord must give written notice and 7 business days to pay.
How much notice is required to raise rent in Alabama?
No notice statute; no caps. No Alabama statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before raising rent. Either side can end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice at least 30 days before the rent date (Ala. Code § 35-9A-441(b)). No statewide cap, and cities and counties may not cap rent (Ala. Code § 11-80-8.1). A landlord may not raise rent to retaliate for a code complaint or joining a tenant group (Ala. Code § 35-9A-501). Source: No Statute.
How long does a landlord have to make repairs in Alabama?
14 days to fix after written notice. Landlord must make repairs needed to keep the home habitable (Ala. Code § 35-9A-204). Written notice: if not fixed within 14 days, you can end the lease (Ala. Code § 35-9A-401). Heat, water, hot water, electricity or gas not made available: end the lease on 14 days' written notice, or sue for lost rental value (Ala. Code § 35-9A-404). No repair-and-deduct; if you counterclaim in an eviction, you must pay rent into court (Ala. Code § 35-9A-405). Source: Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-204, -401, -404.
Can a landlord retaliate against a tenant in Alabama?
Protected. Retaliation prohibited. Cannot evict for complaints. Document all communications. Source: Alabama Code § 35-9A-501.
Can a domestic violence survivor break a lease in Alabama?
No statewide early-exit law. Alabama has no statewide law that lets a domestic violence victim end a lease early. Alabama's landlord-tenant act also bars cities and counties from adding one (Ala. Code § 35-9A-121). A court protection order may be able to order the abuser out of the home. If your home is federally assisted (public housing or a voucher), the federal Violence Against Women Act gives separate protections. A domestic violence hotline (1-800-799-7233) or legal aid can help you plan a safe move. Source: No state statute.
Can a landlord lock you out or shut off utilities in Alabama?
Self-help illegal. Self-help evictions illegal. Court process required. Call police if locked out. Source: Alabama Code § 35-9A-427.
What are my rights as a tenant in Alabama?
Alabama tenants have rights including security deposit protections, notice requirements for landlord entry, habitability standards, and protections against retaliation. Use Honestkey to analyze your specific lease against Alabama law.
More for Alabama renters
Common tenant-rights questions
Plain-language answers that apply in Alabama and beyond