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Get your security deposit back in Alabama

Your landlord must act within 60 days after termination and delivery of possession under Ala. Code § 35-9A-201. If they missed it, a statute-cited demand letter is the fastest first move.

60 days
to return or itemize
2×
potential damages on wrongful withholding
$29
letter + certified mail, one-time
Start my Alabama letter →

One flat fee. No subscription. Not a law firm.

What Alabama law says

Deadline to return / itemizewithin 60 days after termination and delivery of possession
StatuteAla. Code § 35-9A-201 — read the official text
Itemized deduction statementRequired if any portion is withheld
Exposure for wrongful withholdingIf the landlord fails to refund within the deadline, the tenant may recover double the deposit.
Worth knowingDeposit capped at one month's rent (pet/special exceptions). Tenant must supply a valid forwarding address in writing; unclaimed refunds are forfeited after 90 days.

This is general legal information about Ala. Code § 35-9A-201, not legal advice about your situation. Statutes contain conditions and exceptions, and legislatures amend them — always check the official text linked above.

What that can mean in dollars

Example: $1,500 deposit wrongfully withheld in full → exposure of up to $3,000.

Most landlords understand this math, which is why a letter that cites Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 and states the deadline they missed is often enough to get a check without going to court.

Calculate your own numbers →

How your Alabama letter works

1. Answer a few questions

Your deposit amount, move-out date, landlord's address, and what happened. About 3 minutes.

2. We prepare the letter

A formal demand letter citing Ala. Code § 35-9A-201, the 60-day deadline, and the remedies the statute provides.

3. We mail it certified

Printed and sent by USPS Certified Mail with tracking — your proof of delivery if this ends up in small claims court.

Start my letter — $29

Alabama deposit questions

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Alabama?
Under Ala. Code § 35-9A-201, the landlord generally must act within 60 days after termination and delivery of possession. If the landlord keeps any portion, an itemized written statement of deductions is required. This is general legal information — the statute contains conditions and exceptions.
What happens if my landlord misses the Alabama deadline?
If the landlord fails to refund within the deadline, the tenant may recover double the deposit. A written demand letter that cites Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 puts the landlord on notice that you know the deadline has passed and what the statute allows you to pursue.
Do I need a lawyer to send a demand letter in Alabama?
No. A demand letter is something any tenant can send on their own behalf. Our service prepares the letter from the facts you provide and the current text of Ala. Code § 35-9A-201, and mails it by USPS Certified Mail so you have proof of delivery. If your dispute is complex or high-value, talking to a licensed Alabama attorney is a sensible next step — many take deposit cases because several statutes shift attorney's fees to the landlord.