Alabama rent late fee law & calculator
No Alabama statute caps residential late fees — the lease and the reasonableness standard govern. See the rules below before setting yours.
Late fee due
$75.00
Paid 9 days late; grace ends 5 days after due
A late fee is only collectible if your lease authorizes it. General information, not legal advice.
The Alabama late-fee rules
- Maximum fee: No statutory cap — must be reasonable
- Grace period: None — the lease sets it
- Alabama's landlord-tenant act (Ala. Code Title 35, Ch. 9A) doesn't address late fees — the lease governs
- A fee not authorized by the lease is generally uncollectible; courts can strike fees that look like penalties rather than compensation
Rules as of August 2026. Statutes change — verify with the current text before relying on a number, and check city and county ordinances, which can be stricter. This is general information, not legal advice; consult a Alabama attorney for your situation.
Not in Alabama? Every state's late-fee rules → Also for Alabama landlords: the security-deposit return deadline →
Late fees that apply themselves
Set the rule once — LetsGoLandlord applies fees on schedule, on their own ledger line. Free for 14 days.