Alabama Rental Fee Rules
Alabama rules on rental fees for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: No statute — Alabama's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Ch. 35-9A) does not cap or regulate rental application or screening fees, and has no portable-screening-report rule. Ala. Code Title 35, Ch. 9A (checked)
The rules in Alabama
| Application / screening fees | No statute — Alabama's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Ch. 35-9A) does not cap or regulate rental application or screening fees, and has no portable-screening-report rule. Full-text search of the Code for 'rental application' / 'application fee' found no landlord-tenant fee provision. § 35-9A-421(a) lets a landlord terminate, without cure, for an intentional material misrepresentation in an application. Text read 2026-10-22 from the official ALISON Code of Alabama database (the same data that renders on this page). |
|---|---|
| Other rental fees | No general rental junk-fee statute. A lease may not require the tenant to pay the landlord's attorney fees or costs of collection, confess judgment, or waive deposit rules; a landlord who knowingly tries to enforce such a clause owes actual damages plus up to one month's rent and attorney fees. Security beyond one month's rent is allowed only for pets, changes to the premises, or increased liability risk. No statute found on convenience/online-payment fees or total-cost advertising. Text read 2026-10-22 from the official ALISON Code of Alabama database (the same data that renders on this page). |
Related questions
- How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee?
- What rental fees are illegal (junk fees)?
Alabama vs. neighboring states
| State | Application / screening fees | Other rental fees |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | No statute — Alabama's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Ch. 35-9A) does not cap or regulate rental application or screening fees, and has no portable-screening-report rule. Ala. Code Title 35, Ch. 9A (checked) | No general rental junk-fee statute. A lease may not require the tenant to pay the landlord's attorney fees or costs of collection, confess judgment, or waive deposit rules; a landlord who knowingly tries to enforce such a clause owes actual damages plus up to one month's rent and attorney fees. Security beyond one month's rent is allowed only for pets, changes to the premises, or increased liability risk. Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-163, 35-9A-201(a) |
| Florida | No statute caps or regulates residential rental application or screening fees. Since 2023, local governments are preempted from regulating rental applications, screening and application fees. Fla. Stat. § 83.425 | No general statutory cap on late fees or other rental fees. Specific rules: an optional fee in lieu of a security deposit requires written disclosures (including that the tenant may choose a deposit instead at any time); liquidated damages for failing to give end-of-lease notice require a landlord notice that lists all fees, penalties and charges. Local fee regulation is preempted. Fla. Stat. §§ 83.425, 83.491, 83.575(2) |
| Georgia | Not verified yet | Not verified yet |
| Mississippi | Not verified yet | Not verified yet |
| Tennessee | No statute - Tennessee has no cap or refund rule for rental application or screening fees. T.C.A. Title 66, Chapter 28 | No general statute limiting move-in, convenience or other rental fees. The only statutory fee limit is on late fees in URLTA counties: none until after a 5-day grace period, and no more than 10% of the past-due rent. T.C.A. 66-28-201(d) |
City rules that may add to state law
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Compare rental fees in all 50 states and DC →
Alabama Rental Fee Rules FAQ
Is there a limit on rental application fees in Alabama?
No statute — Alabama's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Ch. 35-9A) does not cap or regulate rental application or screening fees, and has no portable-screening-report rule. (Ala. Code Title 35, Ch. 9A (checked))
What rental fees are banned or limited in Alabama?
No general rental junk-fee statute. A lease may not require the tenant to pay the landlord's attorney fees or costs of collection, confess judgment, or waive deposit rules; a landlord who knowingly tries to enforce such a clause owes actual damages plus up to one month's rent and attorney fees. Security beyond one month's rent is allowed only for pets, changes to the premises, or increased liability risk. (Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-163, 35-9A-201(a))
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.