Alabama Deposit return deadline
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Alabama?
Refund or itemized list of deductions within 60 days after the tenancy ends and possession is delivered; if late, the landlord owes double the original deposit.
Verified Source: Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(b), (c), (f) · last checked 2026-10-23
How this works in Alabama
Alabama gives you 60 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant hands back possession to refund the deposit or send an itemized list of what you kept. Missing that window is expensive: the law makes you pay double the original deposit.
Worked example for Alabama
Say a tenant with a $1,000 deposit ends the lease and returns the keys on March 31, 2026. You find $250 of damage. By May 30, 2026 (day 60) you mail the $750 balance with an itemized list showing the $250. If nothing goes out by then, the tenant can claim double the original deposit, which here is $2,000.
Alabama timelines and limits
| Refund or itemized list due | Within 60 days after the tenancy ends and possession is delivered |
|---|---|
| Penalty for missing it | Double the tenant's original deposit |
Alabama FAQ
How long does an Alabama landlord have to return a deposit?
60 days after the tenancy ends and possession is delivered, under Ala. Code § 35-9A-201.
What if I keep part of the deposit?
Within the same 60 days you must give the tenant an itemized list of the amounts withheld.
What happens if I miss the 60 days?
The landlord must pay the tenant double the amount of the original deposit.
Sources for this section: Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(b), (c), (f) (checked 2026-10-23)
Same topic in neighboring states
All Alabama landlord-tenant law · Alabama landlord FAQ · Security deposit limit · Notice to enter · Required lease disclosures · Required disclosures (mold, lead, radon, bedbug, asbestos, flood zone) · Move-in checklist
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