AL

Landlord/Tenant Regulations

Alabama residential lease agreements are regulated by the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AURLTA) under Title 35, Chapter 9A of the Alabama Code. [1]

Alabama Residential Lease Requirements

In-writing – Leases that are longer than one (1) year must be in writing. [2]

Required Disclosure Forms Landlord must give to Tenants (3)

  1. Lead-Based Paint Disclosure Form and EPA Brochure – Landlords must provide a disclosure form and EPA brochure for properties built before 1978.
  2. Landlord Information – The lease must include the landlord’s name and mailing address for tenant notices.
  3. Absence Notification – If tenants need to notify the landlord of absences longer than 14 days, it must be stated in the lease.

Sources

  1. alacourt.gov
  2. AL Code § 35-9A-421

Sample Alabama Residential Lease Agreement

What is included in the Alabama Month-to-Month Rental Agreement Form?

The Alabama Month-to-Month Lease Agreement includes the rental terms, property information, rent, due dates, and security deposit. It also includes policies on pets, smoking, parking, furnishings, utilities, and renter insurance. The agreement covers late fees, NSF fees, early move-in, prepayment terms, subletting, inspections, and legal disclosures (e.g., lead paint). Additional sections address tenant responsibilities, maintenance, prohibited activities, and legal notice requirements.

Alabama Lease Termination Laws

Summary (§ 35-9A-441(a)): The following states the minimum termination period in Alabama..

  • Week-to-Week Tenancy – 7-days
  • Month-to-Month – 30 days

Sample Alabama Month-to-Month Rental Agreement PDF

What to Include in an Alabama Lease-to-Own Agreement?

An Alabama lease-to-own (or rent-to-own) agreement lets a tenant rent a property with the option to buy it later. This type of deal includes parts of the regular lease with a purchase contract. It includes rent details, security deposits, late fees, and rules on occupancy, furnishings, utilities, and pets. The agreement covers maintenance, property access, and tenant rights if the landlord sells the property.

Lease Details, Option Fees, and Purchases

  • Lease Details – The agreement should include the lease length, monthly rent, payment dates, late fees, and who is responsible for maintenance and repairs.
  • Purchase Option – This gives the Tenant the choice (but not the obligation) to buy the property. It includes the purchase price, how to exercise the option, and any rent that goes toward the purchase price.
  • Option Fee – Tenants pay a non-refundable option fee to have the option to buy in future.

Landlord-Tenant Laws, Terms, and Required Disclosures

  • Landlord-Tenant Laws – Lease-to-own agreements are under Alabama’s landlord-tenant laws – the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. It covers rental agreements, Tenant rights, and Landlord duties.
  • Required Disclosures – Landlords must follow state and federal disclosure laws.

Attach Addendum

  • An attached lease addendum includes the purchase option, price, financing, inspection period, any fixtures or personal property that come with the sale, rules on disputes, property safety, and lead paint disclosure.

Sample Alabama Rent-to-Own Lease Agreement

An Alabama power of attorney is a legal form that is used by an individual to appoint someone else as their “Agent” to make decisions on their behalf. This form is used by people who want someone to represent them when they are unable to do so themselves.

Medical Power of Attorney Form – PDF

What is the Definition of “Power of Attorney”?

Definition by the Uniform Power of Attorney Act:

“A “Power of attorney” is a document that gives an agent the authority to act on behalf of the principal.”

Source: Section 102(7)

Power of Attorney Flow Chart 📈

POA-Flow-Chart

Law Alert ⚖️

Alabama Uniform Power of Attorney

Sample Alabama Power of Attorney

Rental Application – Recommended for tenants to fill out this form before signing the agreement in order for landlords to verify tenants credit and employment history.

Alabama Lease Agreements By Type (6)

 

 

Alabama-Residential-Lease-Agreement-Template

 Alabama Residential Lease Agreement – Used for residential properties with a standard 1-year lease term.

Download: PDF | Word (.docx)
 

Alabama-Commercial-Lease-Agreement

 Alabama Commercial Lease Agreement – Business use such as retail spaces, office buildings, warehouses, and industrial facilities.

Download: PDF | Word (.docx)
 

Month-to-Month

 Alabama Month-to-Month Lease Agreement – Also known as “tenancy at will” with automatic renewals every 30 days unless the lease says otherwise.

Download: PDF | Word (.docx)
 

Rent-to-Own

 Alabama Rent to Own Lease Agreement – A standard lease that includes the option for the to purchase the property within a certain period of time.

Download: PDF | Word (.docx)
 

Alabama-Roommate-Rental-Lease-Agreement-Template

 Alabama Roommate Lease Agreement – Shared living arrangements. A binding contract outlining responsibilities and agreements between co-tenants.

Download: PDF | Word (.docx)
 

Sublease-Agreement

 Alabama Sublease Agreement – Used to Sublet unit with landlords approval.

Download: PDF | Word (.docx)

What the Alabama Lease Agreement Form covers?

This document includes the following subjects that pertain to the laws regarding the relationship between the landlord and tenant in Alabama:

Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AURLTA)

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

Security Deposit Law

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

  • 60 Days – Amount of time landlord has to return deposit. Tenant may sue up to double the security deposit amount if 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 security deposit.

How Can I Break my Lease Legally in Alabama

Both landlords and tenants have special rights to cancel a lease if there is 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.

Landlord’s Access to the Rental Property

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

Rent Due Dates and Late Fees

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]

Eviction Procedures and Notices

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]

Property Maintenance Requirements

  • The landlord is required to make repairs (upon written notice from the tenant) and maintain an habitable living environment, failure to do so allows the tenant to the following:
  • Terminate lease or seek damages if repairs aren’t made 14 days after delivering 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]

Required Disclosure Forms

  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]

Hunting Land for Lease

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

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

Abandonment

  • Absence – It must be written in the lease agreement if Landlords required Tenants to give notice if they’ll be 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 get rid of them.[17]

Sample Printable Alabama Lease Agreement Form

Sources

  1. Ala. Code §§ 35-9A
  2. Ala. Code § 35-9A-201
  3. Ala. Code § 35-9A-441
  4. Ala. Code § 35-9A-303
  5. Ala. Code § 35-9A-161
  6. Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-421 to 35-9A-461
  7. Ala. Code § 35-9A-204
  8. § 35-9A-201(a)
  9. 42 U.S. Code § 4852d
  10. § 35-9A-423(a)
  11. afoa.org
  12. revenue.alabama.gov
  13. § 35-9A-423(a)
  14. § 35-9A-423(b)
  15. § 35-9A-426
  16. § 35-9A-423(e)
  17. § 35-9A-423(d)