How Long Does a Landlord Have to Return a Deposit in Alabama?
In Alabama, a landlord has 60 calendar days to return a security deposit. The deadline is measured from this trigger: After termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession. The verified penalty formula is landlord must pay the tenant double the amount of the tenant's original deposit if refund or accounting is not mailed within 60 days under Ala. Code § 35-9A-201.
Key facts
| Deadline | 60 calendar days |
|---|---|
| Deadline trigger | after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession |
| Penalty formula | landlord must pay the tenant double the amount of the tenant's original deposit if refund or accounting is not mailed within 60 days |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Statute citation | Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 |
Statute says
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 with Section 35-9A-301 all as itemized by the landlord in a written notice delivered to the tenant together with the amount due 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. 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.
What this means
Read the deadline, trigger, and penalty together. Match the date you can prove to the trigger above, then compare the landlord's response to the rule in Ala. Code § 35-9A-201.
FAQ
Does Huntsville have its own security deposit law?
No separate city security-deposit ordinance is listed in the verified data. Check the applicable Alabama law and local rules.
What happens if a landlord misses the Alabama deposit deadline?
The verified penalty formula is landlord must pay the tenant double the amount of the tenant's original deposit if refund or accounting is not mailed within 60 days under Ala. Code § 35-9A-201. Keep the move-out date, forwarding address records, and any itemized statement before you act.
Does a demand letter change the legal deadline?
No. The deadline is still 60 calendar days. The deadline trigger is After termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession. A letter documents the timeline and asks the landlord to resolve the deposit before the next step.
If the deadline passed
Send the letter that starts the clock and keeps the demand tied to the verified Alabama deadline.
If the landlord stays silent, review landlord ignoring the deadline before choosing the next step.