Alabama URLTA §35-9A-201 caps residential security deposits at one month's rent (excluding pet, change-in-occupancy, or pet-deposit fees) and requires return within 35 days of move-out, with itemized deductions in writing.
Birmingham landlords must follow the statewide cap. Pet deposits, alteration fees, or change-of-occupancy fees may be charged separately but must be reasonable and disclosed in writing. After a tenant vacates, the landlord has 35 days to return the deposit balance plus an itemized list of deductions. Failure to comply can expose the landlord to actual damages and attorney fees under AL §35-9A-501. Birmingham has no additional local rules, and §11-80-11.5 (2024) prevents the city from imposing stricter caps. Hold deposits in a separate account is best practice but not required by Alabama law.
Withholding without itemization or beyond 35 days lets the tenant sue under AL §35-9A-501 for the deposit plus damages. Charging more than one month's rent (excluding pet/alteration fees) is also a violation.
Birmingham, AL
Birmingham does not maintain a citywide rental-registration or proactive-rental-inspection program. Most enforcement is complaint-based through Title 6 housi...
Birmingham, AL
Birmingham has no just-cause eviction ordinance. Landlords follow the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AL §35-9A-101 et seq.), which perm...
See how Birmingham's security deposit rules rules stack up against other locations.
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