At a Glance
| Question | Answer | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Security deposit limit? | 1 month's rent | No additional pet deposit limit specified |
| Rent control? | No | State preemption law prohibits local rent control ordinances |
| Required notice to raise rent? | 30 days | For month-to-month tenancies |
| Lease required in writing? | Yes, for leases > 12 months | Oral agreements valid for shorter terms |
| Landlord entry notice? | 2 days | Reasonable notice required; 2 days is the statutory standard |
Security Deposits
Alabama law limits the amount a landlord can collect as a security deposit and establishes rules for its return.
Landlords may charge a maximum security deposit of one month's rent. The deposit must be held in a separate account at an Alabama financial institution, and the landlord must provide the tenant with the name and address of the depository institution.
Landlords must return the deposit within 60 days of termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession. If the tenant provides a forwarding address in writing, the return period is reduced to 35 days. Landlords must include an itemized list of any deductions.
Eviction Procedures
Alabama requires landlords to follow specific legal procedures to evict a tenant. Self-help evictions (changing locks, shutting off utilities, removing belongings) are illegal under the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.
Notice Requirements
- 7-Day Notice: For nonpayment of rent. The tenant has 7 days to pay or vacate before the landlord can file for eviction
- 14-Day Notice: For material lease violations. The tenant has 14 days to remedy the violation or vacate
- 7-Day Unconditional Quit: For a second similar lease violation within a 6-month period, the landlord may give 7 days' notice without opportunity to cure
Eviction Process
After the notice period expires, the landlord must file an eviction action (unlawful detainer) in district court. Only a court order can legally remove a tenant from the property.
Rent Control
Alabama does not have statewide rent control. Furthermore, Alabama has enacted a preemption law that prohibits cities and counties from adopting local rent control ordinances. Landlords may set and raise rent without statutory caps, though increases cannot be retaliatory or discriminatory.
For month-to-month tenancies, landlords must provide 30 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect.
Lease Agreements
Alabama follows the Statute of Frauds, which requires leases longer than 12 months to be in writing. Month-to-month agreements and leases of one year or less may be oral, though written leases are strongly recommended.
Required Disclosures
Alabama landlords must provide the following disclosures:
- Lead-based paint (pre-1978 properties)
- Move-in checklist: Landlords are encouraged to document the condition of the unit at move-in
- Name and address of landlord or agent: The landlord must disclose the name and address of the person authorized to manage the premises and receive service of process
Tenant Rights
Alabama provides the following protections for tenants under the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act:
- Habitability: Landlords must maintain rental units in compliance with building and housing codes, keep common areas clean and safe, and ensure working plumbing, heating, electricity, and hot water
- Retaliation protection: Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants who report code violations, complain to the landlord about needed repairs, or join tenant organizations
- Discrimination protection: Fair housing laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, and disability
- Right to privacy: Landlords must provide at least 2 days' notice before entering the rental unit, except in emergencies
- Essential services: Landlords cannot deliberately interrupt essential services such as utilities