Title 35 — Title 35

This chapter shall be known and may be cited as the “Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.” History: (Act 2006-316, p. 668, §1.)

(a) This chapter shall be liberally construed and applied to promote its underlying purposes and policies. (b) Underlying purposes and policies of this chapter are: (1) to simplify, clarify, modernize, and revise the law governing the rental of dwelling units and the rights and o…

Unless displaced by the provisions of this chapter, the principles of law and equity, including, but not limited to, the law relating to capacity to contract, mutuality of obligations, principal and agent, real property, public health, safety and fire prevention, estoppel, fraud,…

This chapter being a general act intended as a unified coverage of its subject matter, no part of it is to be construed as impliedly repealed by subsequent legislation if that construction can reasonably be avoided. History: (Act 2006-316, p. 668, §1.)

(a) The remedies provided by this chapter shall be so administered that an aggrieved party may recover appropriate damages. The aggrieved party has a duty to mitigate damages; provided, the duty of a landlord shall not take priority over the landlord’s right to first rent other v…

A claim or right arising under this chapter or on a rental agreement, if disputed in good faith, may be settled by agreement. History: (Act 2006-316, p. 668, §1.)

A cause of action or civil complaint initiated pursuant to this chapter is not subject to the notice requirement of subsection (j) of Section 34-27-31. History: (Act 2006-316, p. 668, §1.)

This chapter applies to and is the exclusive remedy to regulate and determine rights, obligations, and remedies under a rental agreement, wherever made, for a dwelling unit located within this state. No resolution or ordinance relative to residential landlords, rental housing cod…

Unless created to avoid the application of this chapter, the following arrangements are not governed by this chapter: (1) residence at an institution, public or private, if incidental to detention or the provision of medical, geriatric, educational, counseling, religious, or simi…

(a) The district and circuit courts of this state, according to their respective established jurisdictions, may exercise jurisdiction over any landlord with respect to any conduct in this state governed by this chapter or with respect to any claim arising from a transaction subje…

Subject to additional definitions contained in subsequent articles of this chapter which apply to specific articles or divisions thereof, and unless the context otherwise requires, in this chapter: (1) “action” includes recoupment, counterclaim, set-off, suit in equity, and any o…

Every agreement and duty under this chapter and every act which must be performed as a condition precedent to the exercise of a right or remedy under this chapter imposes an obligation of good faith in its performance or enforcement. History: (Act 2006-316, p. 668, §1.)

(a) If the court, as a matter of law, finds: (1) a rental agreement or any provision thereof was unconscionable when made, the court may refuse to enforce the agreement, enforce the remainder of the agreement without the unconscionable provision, or limit the application of any u…

(a) A person has notice of a fact if: (1) the person has actual knowledge of it; (2) the person has received a notice or notification of it; or (3) from all the facts and circumstances known to the person at the time in question, the person has reason to know that it exists. (b) …

(a) A landlord and a tenant may include in a rental agreement terms and conditions not prohibited by this chapter or other law, including rent, term of the agreement, and other provisions governing the rights and obligations of the parties. (b) In absence of agreement, the tenant…

(a) If a landlord does not sign and deliver a written rental agreement signed and delivered to the landlord by the tenant, acceptance of rent without reservation by the landlord gives the rental agreement the same effect as if it had been signed and delivered by the landlord. (b)…

(a) A rental agreement may not provide that the tenant: (1) agrees to waive or forego rights or remedies established under Section 35-9A- 204, 35-9A-401, or 35-9A-404, or requirements of security deposits established by this chapter or under the law of unlawful detainer; (2) auth…

Chapter. The tenant may not withhold payment of rent to the landlord, while in possession, to enforce any of the tenant’s rights under this chapter. History: (Act 2006-316, p. 668, §1.)

(a) A landlord may not demand or receive money as security, in an amount in excess of one month’s periodic rent, except for pets, changes to the premises, or increased liability risks to the landlord or premises, for tenant’s obligations under a rental agreement. (b) Upon termina…

(a) A landlord or any person authorized to enter into a rental agreement on the landlord’s behalf shall disclose to the tenant in writing at or before the commencement of the tenancy the name and business address of: (1) the person authorized to manage the premises; and (2) an ow…

At the commencement of the term, a landlord shall deliver possession of the premises to the tenant in compliance with the rental agreement and Section 35-9A- 204. The landlord may bring an action for possession against any person wrongfully in possession and may recover the damag…

(a) A landlord shall: (1) comply with the requirements of applicable building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety; (2) make all repairs and do whatever is necessary to put and keep the premises in a habitable condition; (3) keep all common areas of the premis…

(a) Unless otherwise agreed, a landlord who conveys premises that include a dwelling unit subject to a rental agreement in a good faith sale to a bona fide purchaser is relieved of liability under the rental agreement and this chapter as to events occurring after written notice t…

A tenant shall: (1) comply with all obligations primarily imposed upon tenants by applicable provisions of building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety; (2) keep that part of the premises that the tenant occupies and uses as clean and safe as the condition of…

(a) “Rules” or “regulations” pertaining to a residential lease are defined as policies of the landlord affecting the maintenance, operation, or governance of the common areas of the premises, or concerning the general conduct of tenants in their use and enjoyment of the leased pr…

(a) A tenant shall not unreasonably withhold consent to the landlord to enter into the dwelling unit in order to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or exhibit the dwelling unit to…

Unless otherwise agreed, a tenant shall occupy the dwelling unit only as a dwelling unit. The rental agreement may require that the tenant notify the landlord of any anticipated extended absence from the premises in excess of 14 days no later than the fifth day of the extended ab…

(a) Except as provided in this chapter, if there is a material noncompliance by the landlord with the rental agreement or a noncompliance with Section 35-9A-204 materially affecting health and safety, the tenant may deliver a written notice to the landlord specifying the acts and…

(a) If the landlord fails to deliver possession of the dwelling unit to the tenant as provided in Section 35-9A-203, rent abates until possession is delivered and the tenant may: (1) terminate the rental agreement upon written notice to the landlord and within five days thereafte…

Services. (a) The landlord is not responsible for the payment of utility services unless agreed in the lease. (b) If contrary to the rental agreement or Section 35-9A-204, after receiving notice of the breach from the tenant, the landlord willfully or negligently fails to promptl…

(a) In an action for possession or in an action for rent when the tenant is in possession, the tenant may counterclaim for any amount the tenant may recover under the rental agreement or this chapter. It is in the court’s discretion whether the tenant is to remain in possession. …

(a) If the dwelling unit or premises are damaged or destroyed by fire or casualty not caused by the tenant to an extent that enjoyment of the dwelling unit is substantially impaired, the tenant may: (1) immediately vacate the premises and notify the landlord in writing within 14 …

Diminution of Service. If a landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant from the premises or willfully diminishes services to the tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of heat, running water, hot water, electric, gas, or other essential service, the tenant may…

(a) Except as provided in this chapter, if there is a material noncompliance by the tenant with the rental agreement, an intentional misrepresentation of a material fact in a rental agreement or application, or a noncompliance with Section 35-9A-301 materially affecting health an…

If there is noncompliance by the tenant with Section 35-9A-301 materially affecting health and safety that can be remedied by repair, replacement of a damaged item, or cleaning, and the tenant fails to comply as promptly as conditions require in case of emergency or within seven …

(a) If a rental agreement requires the tenant to give notice to the landlord of an anticipated extended absence in excess of 14 days pursuant to Section 35-9A-304 and the tenant willfully fails to do so, the landlord may recover actual damages from the tenant. (b) During any abse…

Acceptance of rent with knowledge of a default by the tenant or acceptance of performance by the tenant that varies from the terms of the rental agreement constitutes a waiver of the landlord’s right to terminate the rental agreement for that breach, unless otherwise agreed after…

(a) A lien or security interest on behalf of the landlord in the tenant’s household goods is not enforceable unless perfected before January 1, 2007. (b) Distraint for rent is abolished. History: (Act 2006-316, p. 668, §1.)

If a rental agreement is terminated, the landlord has a claim for possession and for rent and a separate claim for actual damages for breach of the rental agreement and reasonable attorney’s fees. History: (Act 2006-316, p. 668, §1; Act 2011-700, p. 2154, §1.)

A landlord may not recover or take possession of the dwelling unit by action or otherwise, including willful diminution of services to the tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of heat, running water, hot water, electric, gas, or other essential service to the tenant…

(a) The landlord or the tenant may terminate a week-to-week tenancy by a written notice given to the other at least seven days before the termination date specified in the notice. (b) The landlord or the tenant may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by a written notice given to t…

(a) If a tenant refuses to allow lawful access, the landlord may obtain injunctive relief to compel access, or terminate the rental agreement pursuant to Section 35- 9A-421. In either case, the landlord may recover actual damages. (b) If a landlord makes an unlawful entry or a la…

Relief. (a) A landlord’s action for eviction, rent, monetary damages, or other relief relating to a tenancy subject to this chapter shall be governed by the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure and the Alabama Rules of Appellate Procedure except as modified by this chapter. (b) Distr…

(a) Except as provided in this section, a landlord may not retaliate by discriminatorily increasing rent or decreasing services or by bringing or threatening to bring an action for possession because: (1) the tenant has complained to a governmental agency charged with responsibil…

Except for subsection (b) of Section 35-9A-163 which shall become effective January 1, 2008, this chapter shall become effective on January 1, 2007. It applies to rental agreements entered into or extended or renewed on and after that date. History: (Act 2006-316, p. 668, §1.)

Transactions entered into before January 1, 2007, and not extended or renewed on and after that date, and the rights, duties, and interests flowing from them remain valid and may be terminated, completed, consummated, or enforced as required or permitted by any statute or other l…

If any provision of this chapter or the application thereof to any person or circumstance is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or application of this chapter which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application, and to this end the pr…