Title 27, Property and Conveyances

(a) This chapter must 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 rental of dwelling units and the rights and obliga…

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

Every 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 performances or enforcement.

(a) If the court as a matter of law, finds: (1) a rental agreement was unconscionable when made, the court may refuse to enforce the rental agreement; (2) any provision of a rental agreement was unconscionable when made, the court may enforce the remainder of the agreement withou…

(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 him at the time in question he has reason to know that it exists. A person "knows" or …

Unless displaced by the provisions of this chapter, the principles of law and equity, including the law relating to capacity to contract, mutuality of obligations, principal and agent, real property, public health, safety and fire prevention, estoppel, fraud, misrepresentation, d…

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

(a) If the landlord does not sign and deliver a written rental agreement which has been 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 …

(a) A rental agreement may not provide that the tenant: (1) agrees to waive or forego rights or remedies under this chapter; (2) authorizes any person to confess judgment on a claim arising out of the rental agreement; (3) agrees to the exculpation or limitation of any liability …

A rental agreement, assignment, conveyance, trust deed, mortgage, or security instrument may not permit the receipt of rent absent the obligation to comply with SECTION 27-40-440(a).

This chapter being a general chapter 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.

(a) Upon termination of the tenancy, property or money held by the landlord as security must be returned less amounts withheld by the landlord for accrued rent and damages which the landlord has suffered by reason of the tenant's noncompliance with Section 27-40-510. Any deductio…

(a) A landlord or any person authorized to enter into a rental agreement on his behalf shall disclose to the tenant in writing at or before the commencement of the tenancy the name and address of an owner of the premises or a person authorized to act on behalf of the owner as age…

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 27-40-440. The landlord may bring an action for possession against any person wrongfully in possession and may recover the damages…

(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 reasonably necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition; (3) keep all common …

(a) Unless otherwise agreed, a landlord who conveys the 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 noti…

(a) The remedies provided by this chapter must be so administered that an aggrieved party may recover appropriate damages. The aggrieved party has a duty to mitigate damages. (b) Any right or obligation declared by this chapter is enforceable by action unless the provision declar…

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 the dwelling unit and that part of the premises that he uses reasonably safe and reasonably clean…

(a) A landlord, from time to time, may adopt rules or regulations, however described, concerning the tenant's use and occupancy of the premises. They are enforceable against the tenant only if: (1) their purpose is to promote the convenience, safety, or welfare of the tenants in …

(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 his dwelling unit only as a dwelling unit and shall not conduct or permit any illegal activities thereon.

A claim or right arising under this chapter or on a rental agreement, if disputed in good faith, may be settled by agreement.

(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 27-40-440 materially affecting health and safety or the physical condition of the property, the tenant may deliver a written noti…

(a) If the landlord fails to deliver possession of the dwelling unit to the tenant as provided in SECTION 27-40-430, rent abates until possession is delivered and the tenant may: (1) terminate the rental agreement upon at least five days' written notice to the landlord and upon t…

(a) If the landlord is negligent or wilful in failing to provide essential services as required by the rental agreement or SECTION 27-40-440, the tenant may give written notice to the landlord specifying the breach and may: (1) procure reasonable amounts of the required essential…

(a) In an action for possession based upon nonpayment of the rent or in an action for rent concerning a period when the tenant is in possession, the tenant may rely on the rental agreement or the provisions of this chapter to assert defenses and to counterclaim for any amount rec…

(a) If the dwelling unit or premises are damaged or destroyed by fire or casualty to the extent that normal use and occupancy of the dwelling unit is substantially impaired, the tenant may: (1) immediately vacate the premises and notify the landlord in writing within seven days t…

If a landlord unlawfully removes or excludes the tenant from the premises, or wilfully diminishes services to tenant by interrupting or causing interruption of essential services, the tenant may recover possession or terminate the rental agreement and, in either case, recover an …

(A) Except as provided in this chapter, if there is a noncompliance by the tenant with the rental agreement other than nonpayment of rent or a noncompliance with Section 27-40-510 materially affecting health and safety or the physical condition of the property, or Section 27-40-5…

(a) If there is noncompliance by the tenant with Section 27-40-510 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 fo…

(a) The unexplained absence of a tenant from a dwelling unit for a period of fifteen days after default in the payment of rent must be construed as abandonment of the dwelling unit. (b) If the tenant has voluntarily terminated the utilities and there is an unexplained absence of …

(a) A contractual lien or contractual security interest on behalf of the landlord in the tenant's household goods is not enforceable unless perfected before the effective date of this chapter. (b) A landlord may enforce collection of rent by distress only pursuant to Chapter 39, …

If the rental agreement is terminated, the landlord has a right to possession and for rent and a separate claim for actual damages for breach of the rental agreement and reasonable attorney's fees.

A landlord may not recover or take possession of the dwelling unit by action or otherwise, including wilful diminution of required essential services to the tenant by interrupting or causing the interruption of services, except in case of abandonment, surrender, termination, or a…

(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 the tenant refuses to allow lawful access, the landlord may obtain injunctive relief in magistrates' or circuit court without posting bond to compel access, or terminate the rental agreement. In either case the landlord may recover actual damages and reasonable attorney's …

In any action where the landlord sues for possession and the tenant raises defenses or counterclaims pursuant to this chapter or the rental agreement: (a) The tenant is required to pay the landlord all rent which becomes due after the issuance of a written rule requiring the tena…

(a) Upon appeal to the circuit court, the case must be heard, in a manner consistent with other appeals from magistrates' court, as soon as is feasible after the appeal is docketed. (b) It is sufficient to stay execution of a judgment for ejectment that the tenant sign an underta…

(a) Except as provided in this section, a landlord shall not retaliate by increasing rent to an amount in excess of fair-market value or decreasing essential services or by bringing an action for possession after: (1) the tenant has complained to a governmental agency charged wit…

Chapter 35, Title 27, Chapter 37, Title 27, and Article 3, Chapter 39, Title 27, of the 1976 Code are not applicable to the leasing or renting or to leases or rental agreements concerning any real property insofar as they are inconsistent with the provisions of this chapter, incl…

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…

Transactions entered into before the effective date of this chapter, and not extended or renewed on or 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 …