Security Deposit Demand Letter — Alabama (2026)
In AL, a landlord has 60 days to return your security deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201).
Below: the rule with its citation, a free sample letter you can copy, and a generator that fills in your dates and computes your deadline for $19.
- to return the deposit or itemize deductions
- 60 daysto return the deposit or itemize deductions
- damages available for bad-faith retention
- 2×damages available for bad-faith retention
- Security deposit generally capped at one month's rent (excluding pet/damage deposits).
- CapSecurity deposit generally capped at one month's rent (excluding pet/damage deposits).
Ala. Code § 35-9A-201
Free sample letter
All samplesUse it as-is, or let the generator write it with your amounts and the Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 deadline already computed.
[Your name]
[Your current address]
[Date]
[Recipient name]
[Recipient address]
Re: Demand for return of security deposit — [rental address]
Dear [Landlord name],
I vacated [rental address] on [move-out date] and provided a forwarding address. To date I have received neither my security deposit of [$amount] nor an itemized statement of deductions.
Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 requires a landlord in Alabama to deliver the deposit, or an itemized statement of deductions, within 60 calendar days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession. That period expired on [deadline date].
I request payment of [$amount] within 14 days of the date of this letter, sent to the address above.
If I do not receive it, I intend to file in small claims court. Wrongfully withheld deposit plus, in some cases, twice the amount and attorney's fees.
Sincerely,
[Your name]
Alabama questions
In AL, a landlord has 60 days to return your security deposit or send an itemized statement of deductions (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201).
Yes. They are calendar days, not business days, and they run from the date the tenancy ended.
Wrongfully withheld deposit plus, in some cases, twice the amount and attorney's fees. A dated demand letter sent by certified mail is the evidence a court will expect to see that you asked first.
Security deposit generally capped at one month's rent (excluding pet/damage deposits).
It isn't required, but judges expect it. A dated letter with a certified-mail receipt is the cleanest evidence that you gave the other side a chance to resolve it.
Rule set last curated 2026-08-01. Self-help document service. Not a law firm, and not legal advice. We do not review your letter or represent you. These state rules are under legal review — verify anything you rely on against the current statute.