Alabama Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
Alabama rules on rent increases & late fees for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: Local rent control is preempted statewide. No county, city, or other local government may enact, maintain, or enforce a measure controlling the rent charged for leasing private property. There is no statewide rent cap. Ala. Code § 11-80-8.1
The rules in Alabama
| Rent control / increase limits | Local rent control is preempted statewide. No county, city, or other local government may enact, maintain, or enforce a measure controlling the rent charged for leasing private property. There is no statewide rent cap. Enacted by Acts 1993, No. 93-421. Source: Ala. Code § 11-80-8.1 |
|---|---|
| Late fees | No statutory cap. The statute mentions late fees only as an item that can be listed in a nonpayment notice. A search of the official Code of Alabama turned up no late-fee cap or grace-period statute for residential leases. Source: Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(b) |
Free calculators
- Late Fee Checker — Check a late fee against your state's cap and grace period.
- Rent Increase Calculator — In states with a statewide rent cap, see the most your rent can go up this year.
Related questions
- Can a landlord raise the rent in the middle of a lease?
- How much can a landlord charge for a late fee?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent?
- Can a landlord evict you for no reason?
Alabama vs. neighboring states
| State | Rent control / increase limits | Late fees |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Local rent control is preempted statewide. No county, city, or other local government may enact, maintain, or enforce a measure controlling the rent charged for leasing private property. There is no statewide rent cap. Ala. Code § 11-80-8.1 | No statutory cap. The statute mentions late fees only as an item that can be listed in a nonpayment notice. Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(b) |
| Florida | Local rent control is prohibited. Counties and municipalities may not adopt or maintain any measure that would control rents; residential tenancy regulation is preempted to the state. Fla. Stat. §§ 125.0103(2), 83.425 | No statutory cap or grace period for residential late fees. Fla. Stat. Ch. 83 Part II |
| Georgia | Local rent control is preempted. No county or city may enact, maintain, or enforce any ordinance or resolution regulating the rent charged for privately owned single-family or multi-unit residential rental property. Exceptions: property the local government (or its authority) owns, and voluntary agreements with private persons that regulate rent. No statewide rent cap. O.C.G.A. § 44-7-19 | No statutory cap or grace period identified. Georgia statutes treat late fees as charges a landlord may collect: they may be demanded in the 3-business-day pay-or-vacate notice and deducted from the security deposit. O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50(c) (as amended by HB 404, 2024); O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34(a) |
| Mississippi | No rent control. State law bars cities and towns (§ 21-17-5(2)(h)) and counties (§ 19-3-40(3)(g)) from regulating, directly or indirectly, the rent charged for private residential property in which they have no property interest, unless the Legislature gives prior approval. Miss. Code Ann. § 21-17-5(2)(h); § 19-3-40(3)(g) | No statutory cap or grace period. The Residential Landlord and Tenant Act does not regulate late fees. Miss. Code Ann. §§ 89-8-1 to 89-8-45 (no late-fee provision) |
| Tennessee | Prohibited statewide: local governments may not enact, maintain or enforce any ordinance or resolution that would control the rent charged for private residential or commercial property. Local mandatory below-market (inclusionary) housing requirements are also barred, but voluntary incentive programs are allowed. T.C.A. 66-35-102 | URLTA counties: no late fee may be charged until after a 5-day grace period, counting the due date as day 1. If the last day falls on a Sunday or legal holiday, no fee may be charged if rent is paid the next business day. Late fees may not exceed 10% of the past-due rent. Non-URLTA counties: no statute caps late fees or sets a grace period; the lease governs. T.C.A. 66-28-201(d); ch. 66-7 (checked) |
City rules that may add to state law
More Alabama rental law
- Alabama Security Deposit Law
- Alabama Eviction Laws
- Alabama Notice to Vacate Rules
- Landlord Entry Rules in Alabama
- Alabama Repairs & Tenant Remedies
- Breaking a Lease in Alabama
- Squatters' Rights in Alabama
- Alabama Rental Fee Rules
- Alabama Section 8, Records & Right to Counsel
- Alabama Mold, Pests, Heat & AC Rules
- Alabama Privacy, Guests & Animal Rules
- Alabama Landlord Selling the House
- Alabama Lockouts, Utility Shutoffs & Retaliation
- Alabama Subletting, Lease Endings & Tenant Death
- All Alabama landlord-tenant rules
- Free legal help in Alabama
Compare rent increases & late fees in all 50 states and DC →
Alabama Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws FAQ
Is there rent control or a limit on rent increases in Alabama?
Local rent control is preempted statewide. No county, city, or other local government may enact, maintain, or enforce a measure controlling the rent charged for leasing private property. There is no statewide rent cap. (Ala. Code § 11-80-8.1)
Is there a limit on late fees in Alabama?
No statutory cap. The statute mentions late fees only as an item that can be listed in a nonpayment notice. (Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(b))
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.