CSP Chapter 6 Lesson 2: Alabama State Rental Laws
Free PreviewEach State has its own version of laws relating to residential rentals. The diagram below shows Federal laws are the foundation and take precedence. This lesson covers the State legislation.
This lesson summarizes some key landlord-tenant laws applicable to residential rental units. Landlord-tenant laws are always changing, and may even vary from county to county. You have a responsibility to perform your own research and cautiously apply the laws to your unique situation. If you have a legal question or concern, you should contact a licensed attorney referral service that is operated by the state bar association. This lesson is not intended to be exhaustive or a substitute for qualified legal advice.

Landlord and Tenant legislation – Alabama
Here are 3 excellent explanations of the Alabama Landlord Tenant Laws:
A Note From The Legal Helpdesk: A General Overview of Alabama’s Laws on Landlords and Tenants
- https://www.alabamarealtors.com/posts/2018/03/13/a-general-overview-of-alabamas-laws-on-landlords-and-tenants
The Alabama Tenants Handbook
- https://www.alabamalegalhelp.org/files/A2447EEE-F644-D86C-0EED-38CCDA102137/attachments/D58BD7A6-D99A-93CB-F1B6-D0BF0AE6B7B3/352521AlabamaTenantsHandbook122006.pdf
2009 Alabama Code Title 35 — PROPERTY. Chapter 9A — UNIFORM RESIDENTIAL LANDLORD AND TENANT ACT.
- Article 1 General Provisions and Definitions.
- Division 1 Short Title, Construction, Application and Subject Matter of the Chapter.
- Section 35-9A-101 Short title.
- Section 35-9A-102 Purposes; rules of construction.
- Section 35-9A-103 Supplementary principles of law applicable.
- Section 35-9A-104 Construction against implicit repeal.
- Section 35-9A-105 Administration of remedies; enforcement.
- Section 35-9A-106 Settlement of disputed claim or right.
- Section 35-9A-107 Notice requirement.
- Division 2 Scope and Jurisdiction.
- Division 3 General Definitions and Principles of Intrepretation: Notice.
- Division 4 General Provisions.
- Division 1 Short Title, Construction, Application and Subject Matter of the Chapter.
- Article 2 Landlord obligations.
- Article 3 Tenant Obligations.
- Article 4 Remedies.
- Division 1 Tenant Remedies.
- Section 35-9A-401 Noncompliance by the landlord.
- Section 35-9A-402 Failure to deliver possession.
- Section 35-9A-403 Reserved.
- Section 35-9A-404 Wrongful failure to make available heat, water, hot water, or essential services.
- Section 35-9A-405 Counterclaims for action for possession or rent.
- Section 35-9A-406 Fire or casualty damage.
- Section 35-9A-407 Tenant’s remedies for landlord’s unlawful ouster, exclusion, or diminution of service.
- Division 2 Landlord Remedies.
- Section 35-9A-421 Noncompliance with rental agreement; failure to pay rent.
- Section 35-9A-422 Failure to maintain.
- Section 35-9A-423 Remedies for absence, nonuse, and abandonment.
- Section 35-9A-424 Waiver of landlord’s right to terminate.
- Section 35-9A-425 Landlord liens; distraint for rent.
- Section 35-9A-426 Remedy after termination.
- Section 35-9A-427 Recovery of possession limited.
- Division 3 Periodic tenancy; holdover; abuse of access.
- Division 4 Court Actions by Landlord.
- Division 1 Tenant Remedies.
- Article 5 Retaliatory Conduct.
- Article 6 Effective Date, Savings Clause, Severability.