Alabama Landlord-Tenant Laws: Complete Guide for Property Owners

Alabama's landlord-tenant relationships are primarily governed by the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AURLTA), enacted in 2006 and applicable to all residential rental agreements entered into or renewed after January 1, 2007. Alabama is widely considered a landlord-friendly state, with no rent control laws, no mandatory grace periods, and relatively straightforward eviction procedures.

Disclaimer: This guide provides general legal information for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Landlord-tenant laws change frequently. Always consult a licensed attorney in Alabama for guidance specific to your situation. Information last verified: March 2026.

Key Alabama Rental Laws at a Glance

Security Deposits

Alabama limits security deposits to one month's rent for residential properties under the AURLTA. Landlords are not required to hold deposits in a separate account or pay interest on them.

After the tenant moves out, the landlord must return the deposit (or provide an itemized list of deductions) within 60 days. Failure to comply may result in the tenant being awarded double the deposit amount in damages.

For more detail, see our Security Deposits deep dive.

Rent Increases

Alabama has no rent control laws and no statewide cap on rent increases. Landlords may raise rent by any amount. However, they must follow proper notice requirements:

• Month-to-month leases: At least 30 days' written notice before the increase takes effect
• Fixed-term leases: Rent cannot be increased mid-lease unless the lease agreement permits it
• Week-to-week leases: At least 7 days' notice

Rent increases cannot be discriminatory (based on protected classes) or retaliatory (in response to a tenant exercising legal rights).

For more detail, see our Rent Increases guide.

Eviction Procedures

Alabama provides a relatively streamlined eviction process:

At-Fault Evictions

• 7-Day Notice to Pay or Quit — for nonpayment of rent; if the tenant pays within 7 days, the eviction stops
• 7-Day Notice to Cure or Quit — for lease violations; tenant has 7 days to fix the issue
• Repeat violations — if the same violation occurs within 6 months, the landlord may issue a 7-day notice without the opportunity to cure
• Unconditional Quit — for serious violations like illegal activity or substantial property damage

No-Fault Evictions

• 30-Day Notice — for terminating month-to-month tenancies without cause

Self-help evictions (changing locks, shutting off utilities) are illegal in Alabama. All evictions must go through the court system.

For more detail, see our Eviction Process guide.

Required Disclosures

Alabama landlords must make specific disclosures before or at the start of a tenancy:

1. Agent/Owner Identity — Name and business address of the property manager and the owner (or authorized agent for service of process)
2. Material Defects and Hazards — Any known defects or hazards in the property
3. Lead-Based Paint — For properties built before 1978 (federal requirement)

For more detail, see our Required Disclosures guide.

Maintenance and Habitability

Under Alabama's implied warranty of habitability (§ 35-9A-204), landlords must maintain rental units in a habitable condition. This includes:

• Compliance with all applicable building and housing codes
• Working plumbing, electrical, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems
• Hot and cold running water
• Clean and safe common areas
• Proper waste removal facilities

Upon receiving written notice from a tenant, landlords generally have 14 days to make necessary repairs. For emergencies, repairs should be addressed within 24–48 hours.

Unlike some states, Alabama does not allow tenants to use a "repair and deduct" remedy or withhold rent for habitability issues. The tenant's remedies are to terminate the lease or sue for damages.

For more detail, see our Maintenance Obligations guide.

Late Fees

Alabama law does not cap the amount landlords can charge for late fees, but the AURLTA requires that fees be "reasonable" (§ 35-9A-421). Key points:

• Late fees must be specified in the written lease agreement
• There is no mandatory grace period — rent can be considered late the day after the due date
• NSF (bounced check) fees — landlords can charge up to $30 for returned checks (§ 8-8-15)

For more detail, see our Late Fees guide.

Lease Requirements

Alabama accepts both oral and written lease agreements, though written leases are strongly recommended. Key considerations:

• Landlords may set their own terms including rent amount, lease duration, and pet policies
• Lease clauses that waive tenant rights under the AURLTA or exempt landlords from liability for negligence are unenforceable
• For tenancies longer than one year, a written agreement is required under the statute of frauds

For more detail, see our Lease Requirements guide.

Getting Started with Compliance

Navigating Alabama's landlord-tenant laws doesn't have to be complicated. Landager helps landlords track lease terms, manage security deposits, set return deadline reminders, and stay organized across their entire rental portfolio.

Explore more Alabama compliance topics:

• Security Deposits
• Eviction Process
• Required Disclosures
• Rent Increases
• Lease Requirements
• Maintenance Obligations
• Late Fees