Alabama Landlord-Tenant Guide — Rights & Rules

Receiving an official notice starts a legal clock that directly affects your rights. In Alabama, you have 7 business days days to cure a nonpayment notice by paying in full. Similarly, for lease violations, you have 7 business days days to fix the problem after receiving a 7 business days-day notice. If you recently exercised a legal right (requesting repairs, reporting code violations), retaliation is prohibited and presumed if the landlord acts within 180 days. Even under a valid notice, your landlord cannot change locks, remove belongings, or shut off utilities — that is illegal self-help and carries a penalty of actual damages plus up to 3 months' rent. Do not ignore any notice — even if you believe it is defective, responding within the deadline preserves your ability to raise defenses in court.

Eviction in Alabama is called unlawful detainer. A landlord cannot remove a tenant without going through court — Self-help eviction (changing locks, removing belongings, shutting off utilities) is prohibited §35-9A-407.

For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must provide 7 business days days' written notice §35-9A-421(b). Tenants have 7 business days days to cure (pay) after receiving a nonpayment notice §35-9A-421(b).

For lease violations, 7 business days days' notice is required §35-9A-421(a). The tenant has 7 business days days to cure the violation.

Alabama's security deposit limit is 1 month's rent §35-9A-201. After move-out, the landlord has 60 days to return the deposit with an itemized list of deductions.

Alabama recognizes an implied Warranty of habitability §35-9A-204. Landlords must maintain the property in a condition fit for human habitation, including running water, hot water, heat, electricity, sanitation.

The landlord has 14 days to make repairs after receiving written notice. Alabama does not allow repair-and-deduct — tenants must pursue other remedies such as lease termination or court action.

Retaliatory eviction is prohibited §35-9A-501. Retaliation is presumed if the landlord takes adverse action within 180 days of the tenant exercising a legal right.

Self-help eviction is illegal. If a landlord changes your locks, removes your belongings, or shuts off utilities, the penalty is actual damages plus up to 3 months' rent §35-9A-407.

Landlord-tenant cases are often decided on notice periods and deadlines. Missing a deadline — whether it is responding to a notice, filing an answer, or requesting a hearing — can result in losing rights that would otherwise be available. Preserving written evidence (photos, texts, emails, receipts) is critical.