{"id":371337,"date":"2016-03-31T21:34:18","date_gmt":"2016-04-01T02:34:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-leases-and-rental-agreements-laws.html"},"modified":"2024-12-27T14:38:51","modified_gmt":"2024-12-27T19:38:51","slug":"alabama-leases-and-rental-agreements-laws","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/state\/alabama-law\/alabama-leases-and-rental-agreements-laws.html","title":{"rendered":"Alabama Leases and Rental Agreements Laws"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Alabama Leases and Rental Agreements Laws<\/h1>\n
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\n By Christie Nicholson, J.D.<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Laura Temme, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Alabama landlord-tenant laws regulate issues such as rent control, late rent payments, and the eviction process. While many of Alabama\u2019s laws on rental agreements and other tenancy-related problems are similar to those of other states, there are specific laws unique to Alabama.<\/p>\r\n

Whether you\u2019re a lessee (renter) or lessor (landlord), you have a right to certain legal protections. For example, if a tenant abandons your rental property, do you still have to proceed with an eviction? Or, if your landlord claims that they\u2019re evicting you for nonpayment of rent and you have paid on time, do you have a legal claim?<\/p>\r\n

Alabama landlord-tenant law answers these questions. We\u2019ll discuss these laws in more detail throughout this article, including the laws on rental agreements, lease terms, and eviction. If you still have questions about late fees and grace periods, consider contacting a landlord-tenant attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

Eviction Laws in the State of Alabama<\/b><\/h2>\r\n

The eviction process<\/a> in Alabama is relatively straightforward. Landlords can typically complete an eviction within weeks of filing a lawsuit with the court.<\/p>\r\n

Ideally, once the landlord serves the tenant with the requisite 7-day notice to quit, the parties can amicably agree that the lease is over and the tenant leaves without issue. Unfortunately, it rarely happens this way. Usually, the tenant refuses to leave or disagrees that they have violated the lease terms.<\/p>\r\n

Regardless of how much the landlord and tenant disagree, the eviction process is the same. According to Ala. Code Section 35-9A-421, et. seq., the eviction process is as follows:<\/p>\r\n