Alabama caps residential security deposits at one month's rent under the URLTA and requires return within sixty days of move-out with an itemized statement of any deductions, with extra deposits allowed for pets or specific risks.
Section 35-9A-201 of the Alabama URLTA caps the standard security deposit at one month's periodic rent. Landlords may charge additional deposits for pets, increased liability risk, or modifications to the unit, but these must be disclosed in writing. After tenancy ends and the tenant provides a forwarding address, landlords have sixty days to return the deposit minus itemized lawful deductions for damage beyond ordinary wear, unpaid rent, or charges authorized in the lease. Mobile has no separate local rule altering these state defaults.
Failing to return the deposit or itemize deductions within sixty days exposes landlords to recovery of the wrongfully withheld amount plus attorney fees under Alabama law.
See how Mobile's security deposit rules rules stack up against other locations.
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