LOCAL RULES

Alabama rental inspection report requirements

Your Alabama rental inspection report has 3 rules to meet. ReportDraft puts every one on your checklist and checks your draft before you sign.

  • The refund or itemized list of amounts withheld within 60 days
  • The tenant's forwarding address in writing
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Alabama ties every deposit deduction to a list. The Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act lets a landlord apply the deposit to accrued rent and to damages caused by the tenant not meeting the duties in section 35-9A-301, and the refund or an itemized list of amounts withheld is due within 60 days. Here is each rule with a link to the Code of Alabama, and how walkthrough notes become the reports behind it.

Last reviewed October 10, 2026 against the official sources listed below.

Rental inspectionALABAMA / SAMPLE

Sample notes, 87 words

Move-in inspection
Address: 22 Cedar Court, Unit 4B, Montgomery, AL
Date: 2026-09-30
Landlord: Pinecrest Property Management
Tenant: Jordan Lee and Priya Raman
...
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79%of your draft is ready from these notes

We sorted 13 items into 6 sections and flagged 5 to fix soon.

  • Fix soonLiving and dining areas

    Carpet has a stain near the sofa wall.

  • Fix soonKitchen

    Dishwasher not working.

  • Fix soonKitchen

    Counter chipped near the sink.

3 Alabama rules on your checklist, including the refund or itemized list of amounts withheld within 60 days.

Still to add

  • RecommendedNotes for entry and hallways
  • RecommendedNotes for laundry and utility

Filled in for you

Inspection typeMove-in
Rental unit address22 Cedar Court, Unit 4B, Montgomery, AL
Inspection dateSep 30, 2026
Landlord or property managerPinecrest Property Management
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What Alabama requires

  • Within 60 days after the tenancy ends and possession is delivered, the landlord refunds the deposit or, if not refunding all of it, gives the tenant an itemized list of the amounts withheldCode of Ala. 1975, s. 35-9A-201 (b), (c)
  • The deposit may be applied to accrued rent and to damages the landlord suffered because the tenant did not meet the tenant's duties under section 35-9A-301, all itemized in a written noticeCode of Ala. 1975, s. 35-9A-201 (b)
  • The tenant keeps the part of the premises they use as clean and safe as its condition permits, disposes of waste cleanly and safely, keeps plumbing fixtures as clear as their condition permits, uses electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling and other facilities and appliances reasonably, and does not deliberately or negligently damage or remove any part of the premises or knowingly, recklessly or negligently let anyone else do soCode of Ala. 1975, s. 35-9A-301
  • On moving out the tenant gives a valid forwarding address in writing; without one, the landlord mails the deposit or accounting first class to the last known address or the property address; first-class mailing to the tenant's written address within the 60 days is enough, and a deposit left unclaimed for 90 days is forfeitedCode of Ala. 1975, s. 35-9A-201 (d), (e)
  • A landlord who does not mail a timely refund or accounting within the 60 days pays the tenant double the original deposit; either side may still recover other damagesCode of Ala. 1975, s. 35-9A-201 (f), (g)
  • The tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord entering to inspect; the access section sets at least two days' notice of the landlord's intent to enter, at reasonable times, and a note on the main entry door stating the time and purpose is a permitted way to give it; the landlord may not abuse access or use it to harass, and a tenant's repair request is consent to enter for that repairCode of Ala. 1975, s. 35-9A-303 (a), (c), (e)
  • The landlord keeps the premises habitable, common areas clean and safe, and supplied facilities and appliances in good and safe working order, but the tenant's rights do not arise for a condition caused by the willful or negligent act of the tenant, their family, or others there with their consentCode of Ala. 1975, s. 35-9A-204 (a), (f)
  • At or before the start of the tenancy the landlord discloses in writing the name and business address of the manager and of an owner or agent for notices and service of process, and keeps it currentCode of Ala. 1975, s. 35-9A-202

What the deposit can cover

The deposit may be applied to accrued rent and to the damages the landlord suffered because the tenant did not meet the duties in section 35-9A-301, itemized in a written notice. Those duties are specific: keep the part of the premises the tenant uses as clean and safe as its condition permits, dispose of waste cleanly and safely, keep plumbing fixtures clear, use electrical, plumbing, heating, cooling and other facilities and appliances reasonably, and not deliberately or negligently damage the premises or let others do so.

That gives a move-out report its shape: for each item of damage, which duty was not met. A move-in report shows what the unit looked like before the tenant's duties began.

60 days, a forwarding address, and double the deposit

Within 60 days after the tenancy ends and possession is delivered, the landlord refunds the deposit or gives an itemized list of the amounts withheld. The tenant gives a valid forwarding address in writing on moving out; without one, the landlord mails first class to the last known address or the property. Mailing first class within the 60 days to the address the tenant gave is enough, and a deposit unclaimed for 90 days is forfeited.

A landlord who does not mail a timely refund or accounting pays the tenant double the original deposit. Either side may still recover other damages.

Inspections during the tenancy

The tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord entering to inspect. The access section sets at least two days' notice of the landlord's intent to enter, at reasonable times, and a note posted on the main entry door stating the time and purpose is a permitted way to give it. The landlord may not abuse access or use it to harass, and a tenant who asks for a repair consents to entry for that repair.

The landlord keeps the premises habitable and supplied facilities in good and safe working order, but the tenant cannot claim for a condition the tenant, their family or their guests caused willfully or negligently. A dated inspection report records which was which.

From walkthrough notes to a finished Alabama report

At move-in, note each room and its condition, along with the manager's and owner's names and business addresses given to the tenant. At move-out, walk the same rooms. ReportDraft writes each up room by room, describes each item of damage plainly enough for the itemized list, keeps ordinary aging apart from damage, and leaves lines for the landlord and the tenant to sign.

Common mistakes

  • Missing the 60 days after the tenancy ends and possession is delivered.
  • Withholding without an itemized list of the amounts kept.
  • Charging for something that is not unpaid rent or damage from a breach of the tenant's duties.
  • Mailing to an old address when the tenant gave a forwarding address in writing.
  • Entering without the two days' notice the access section sets.

Sources

Last reviewed October 10, 2026. Next review due January 10, 2027. This page explains published rules to help you write your report. It is not legal advice; the official text linked above governs.