The Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AURLTA) governs the relationship rules for landlords and tenants in Alabama.  ^[1]

Landlords in Alabama may charge any amount for a security deposit, which must be returned (minus any deductions for damages) to the tenant after vacating when the lease ends.^[2]

• 60 Days – Amount of time the landlord has to return the deposit. The tenant may sue up to double the security deposit amount if the landlord holds for more than 60 days.
• Deductions for damages must be written on an itemized list and given to the tenant.
• Normal wear and tear cannot be deducted from the security deposit.

Both landlords and tenants have special rights to cancel a lease if there is a warrant to do so, with the landlord having more powers than the tenant.^[3]

• Landlord’s Ability to Terminate
  • 7-day notice to pay or be evicted.
  • 14-day notice to fix a violation or be evicted.
• Tenant’s Ability to Terminate
  • With proof of domestic violence, a tenant can terminate the lease early.
  • Provide 30 days notice to terminate if the lease is month-to-month.

Landlords must provide a 2-day notice to the tenant before entering the property unless for emergencies. Tenants may not deny the landlord access unreasonably.^[4]

Alabama does not mandate rent due dates, therefore it is up for the landlord and tenant to agree upon. If no grace periods exist in the agreement, the landlord may charge a late fee immediately one (1) day after rent is late.^[5]

After a lease termination notice is sent and the tenant does not remedy the fault (late payment or violation), the landlord must go through the local court to formalize an eviction before a tenant can be removed.^[6]

• The landlord is required to make repairs (upon written notice from the tenant) and maintain a habitable living environment; failure to do so allows the tenant to do the following:
• Terminate the lease or seek damages if repairs aren’t made 14 days after delivering the written notice.
• Tenants who decide to fix repairs with their own money are not legally entitled to deduct the cost from their rent payment.^[7]

1. Lead-Based Paint Disclosure & EPA Brochure – This disclosure form and EPA brochure are required for all properties built before 1978.^[8]
2. Owner/Manager/Landlord Identification and Mailing Address – The agreement must include this individual’s full legal name and mailing address for tenant notices.^[9]
3. Abandonment (conditional) – If the Landlord requires notification when the Tenant will be absent from the rental property for more than 14 days, it must be written in the lease agreement contract.^[10]

The Alabama Forest Owners’ Association, Inc. provides land that is available for lease on its website.^[11] To list hunting land for lease (for free) mail listing information to:

AFOA Hunting Land,
P.O. Box 361434,
Birmingham, AL 35236.

• Absence – It must be written in the lease agreement if Landlords require Tenants to give notice if they are absent for more than 14 days. ^[13] The Landlord can enter the property during absences.^[14]
• Breaking the Lease – The Landlord can charge rent and damages if the Tenant leaves early but must try to re-rent the unit. ^[15]
• Utility Shutoff – The property is considered abandoned when utilities are off for seven (7) days.^[16]
• Unclaimed Property – Items left behind after 14 days are considered abandoned, and the Landlord can eliminate them.^[17]