An Alabama rental application helps landlords or property managers review prospective tenants. This form is effective in screening applicants and finding reliable tenants before drafting and signing a lease agreement.
Laws
- Application Fee – Non-refundable.
- Fee Limits – No limits.
- Security Deposit – Deposits can only exceed one month’s rent when pets, changes to the premises, or increased liability risks are involved.
Application Fee
- In Alabama, there is no law regarding the amount of the fee that the landlord can charge.
- The fee should be proportional to the costs of processing the application, such as running the background check.
- The average application fee ranges from $10 to $25, and any fee charged is non-refundable.
Fair Housing Protections
- A rental application cannot contain questions about a tenant’s race, religion, national origin, familial status, disability, or sex (gender identity and sexual orientation) per the federal and state Fair Housing Act. [1]
- Discriminating in the terms, conditions, or services related to housing, making discriminatory statements, or falsely claiming a dwelling is unavailable based on these same factors is also unlawful.
Security Deposit Limits
- Landlords cannot charge more than one month’s rent as a security deposit for an unfurnished apartment.
- Landlords must provide information regarding the deposit amount, the cases in which it may be withheld, and the return timeframe. The deposit must be returned to the tenant within 60 days of vacating the property. [2]
Pet Deposits
If you decide to charge a pet or other additional deposit besides a security deposit, you should separate the amount from the security deposit. For instance, “Security deposit: $800. Pet deposit: $100.”
Sample
