CSP Chapter 6 Lesson 2: Alabama State Rental Laws

Each 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.

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.
    • Section 35-9A-121 Territorial application.
    • Section 35-9A-122 Exclusions from application of chapter.
    • Section 35-9A-123 Jurisdiction and service of process.
  • Division 3 General Definitions and Principles of Intrepretation: Notice.
    • Section 35-9A-141 Definitions.
    • Section 35-9A-142 Obligation of good faith.
    • Section 35-9A-143 Unconscionability.
    • Section 35-9A-144 Notice.
  • Division 4 General Provisions.
    • Section 35-9A-161 Terms and conditions of rental agreement.
    • Section 35-9A-162 Effect of unsigned or undelivered rental agreement.
    • Section 35-9A-163 Prohibited provisions in rental agreements.
    • Section 35-9A-164 Payment of rent prerequisite to enforcing remedies under this chapter.
• Article 2 Landlord obligations.
  • Section 35-9A-201 Security deposits; prepaid rent.
  • Section 35-9A-202 Disclosure.
  • Section 35-9A-203 Landlord to deliver possession of dwelling unit.
  • Section 35-9A-204 Landlord to maintain premises.
  • Section 35-9A-205 Limitation of liability.
• Article 3 Tenant Obligations.
  • Section 35-9A-301 Tenant to maintain dwelling unit.
  • Section 35-9A-302 Rules and regulations.
  • Section 35-9A-303 Access.
  • Section 35-9A-304 Tenant to use and occupy.
• 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.
    • Section 35-9A-441 Periodic tenancy; holdover remedies.
    • Section 35-9A-442 Landlord and tenant remedies for abuse of access.
  • Division 4 Court Actions by Landlord.
    • Section 35-9A-461 Landlord’s action for eviction, rent, monetary damages, or other relief.
• Article 5 Retaliatory Conduct.
  • Section 35-9A-501 Retaliatory conduct prohibited.
• Article 6 Effective Date, Savings Clause, Severability.
  • Section 35-9A-601 Effective date.
  • Section 35-9A-602 Savings clause.
  • Section 35-9A-603 Severability.