Free Alabama Cash for Keys Agreement Template

Last reviewed September 2026

Written by LawLease Editorial

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Alabama Cash for Keys Agreement

This Cash for Keys Agreement is built with Alabama as the governing state. These are the Alabama landlord-tenant rules that most often bear on it, with the statute for each.

Alabama rules at a glance

Alabama rules for a Cash for Keys Agreement
Security deposit limit	1 month’s rent, plus extra security allowed for pets, alterations, or higher-liability activitiesAla. Code §35-9A-201
Deposit return	60 days after the tenancy ends and possession is returned; late = double the depositAla. Code §35-9A-201
Double-deposit penalty	A landlord who misses the 60-day window owes the tenant double the amount of the original deposit — not double the amount withheld (§35-9A-201(f)).
Month-to-month termination	30 days’ written notice before the rental dateAla. Code §35-9A-441
Nonpayment eviction notice	7 business days to pay or the lease terminatesAla. Code §35-9A-421(b)
Nonpayment of rent	Written notice stating the rent and late fees owed; the lease terminates if the tenant doesn’t pay within 7 business days after receiving it (§35-9A-421(b)).

Security deposits in Alabama

Alabama caps the security deposit at one month’s periodic rent (§35-9A-201). Unlike most capped states, the statute expressly lets a landlord collect additional security on top of that ceiling in three situations — so a flat “one month, no exceptions” rule overstates the limit.

Carve-outs above the cap — Extra security may be required for pets, for changes the tenant makes to the premises, and for tenant activities that increase the landlord’s liability risk (§35-9A-201).
What can be deducted — The deposit may be applied to accrued rent and to damages the landlord suffers because the tenant failed to meet the tenant’s statutory maintenance duties (§35-9A-201(b), §35-9A-301).
60-day return — Within 60 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant delivers possession, the landlord must mail the refund, or an itemized list of amounts withheld with any balance, to the tenant’s forwarding address (or last known address if none was given).
Double-deposit penalty — A landlord who misses the 60-day window owes the tenant double the amount of the original deposit — not double the amount withheld (§35-9A-201(f)).
Unclaimed refunds — If a refund mailed to the tenant goes unclaimed for 90 days, it becomes the landlord’s property.

Ending an Alabama tenancy

A periodic tenancy ends with written notice from either side. For month-to-month, the notice must be given at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in it (§35-9A-441).

Notice to end an Alabama tenancy with no fixed term (§35-9A-441)
Week-to-week	7 days
Month-to-month	30 days before the rental date

Nonpayment of rent — Written notice stating the rent and late fees owed; the lease terminates if the tenant doesn’t pay within 7 business days after receiving it (§35-9A-421(b)).
Other material breaches — A written notice gives the tenant 7 business days to cure. Certain breaches — including illegal drug activity, illegal firearm use and criminal assault — can’t be cured, and the same breach can’t be cured more than twice in 12 months without the landlord’s consent (§35-9A-421(a), (d)).
Holdover — A tenant who willfully holds over in bad faith can be made to pay up to the greater of three months’ rent or actual damages, plus reasonable attorney’s fees (§35-9A-441(c)).
Military — Servicemembers with qualifying orders can end a lease early under the federal SCRA (50 U.S.C. §3955).

Alabama Cash for Keys Agreement FAQs

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Alabama?

No more than one month’s periodic rent. Alabama does allow additional security beyond that cap for pets, for alterations the tenant makes to the premises, and for activities that increase the landlord’s liability risk (Ala. Code §35-9A-201).

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Alabama?

Sixty days after the tenancy ends and the tenant returns possession. The landlord must mail the refund, or an itemized list of deductions with any balance, within that window — missing it makes the landlord liable for double the original deposit (§35-9A-201).

Cash for Keys Agreement in other states

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