Join the 550,000+ independent landlords who rely on TurboTenant to create welcoming rental experiences.
No tricks or trials to worry about. So what’s the harm? Try it today!
Alabama is ranked as the second state for lowest property taxes and seventh for the most affordable housing market, which makes it a great place to invest in rental property. Birmingham has been ranked the number one most affordable city, which makes it a hot spot for those looking to relocate as well.
Laws that impact the rental market, landlords, and tenants are constantly being decided in states. Make sure you know what’s on your ballot – find Alabama voting information here.
When it comes to Alabama rental laws, there are a few specifics landlords need to know:
There are no additional rental application fee laws.
Landlords can charge up to one month’s rent as the security deposit, although that amount can increase if pets are allowed.
Build an Alabama lease agreement in less than 15 minutes.
There are three sections to a residential lease agreement. The first section outlines the custom details of the contract, such as who’s involved and for what address. Here’s an example Alabama lease agreement listing details found in Section 1:
Below are answers to some of the most commonly-asked questions when it comes to landlord-tenant laws in Alabama:
Renters are able to pay for repairs that the landlord fails to make and deduct the cost from next month’s rent.
Evicting a tenant in Alabama can take anywhere from one month to multiple months depending on the reason for eviction.
Alabama is considered a landlord-friendly state because of the lack of rent control laws.
There are six reasons a landlord may file for eviction in Alabama. The six reasons include failure to pay rent, violation of the lease agreement, misleading information on the application, the end of the lease term, safety violation, and illegal activity. Depending on the violation, the landlord must give the tenant notice and anywhere from 7 to 30 days to cure their violation.
If the tenant fails to cure or quit, then the landlord may file a complaint with the court, which costs $256. After the complaint is filed, it will be served to the tenant at least six days before the return date of the process.
After the tenant receives the summons and complaint, they are required to file an answer with the court within seven days. After the answer is filed, the court will schedule a hearing.
If the court rules in favor of the landlord, then a writ of execution will be issued immediately. Upon being served the writ of execution, the tenant will have to move out within seven days.
Landlords must give a 30-day notice before asking a month-to-month tenant to vacate the property.
TurboTenant has utilized many municipal sources, along with official state statutes, in order to compile this information to the best of our ability. However, local laws are always in flux, and landlords and tenants alike should do their due diligence and consult legal help when it’s needed. We hope the following list can serve as a valuable resource and allow you to succeed as a landlord or tenant in Alabama. Be sure to take proper precautions when it comes to finding the top candidates for your unit by utilizing our online rental application and tenant screening services.
Disclaimer: TurboTenant, Inc does not provide legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only. All users are advised to check all applicable local, state, and federal laws, and consult legal counsel should questions arise.
Create a single Alabama lease agreement, or subscribe and receive unlimited lease agreements, landlord forms pack, and e-signs for a simple annual fee. Be confident with all the legal forms and tools you need as a professional landlord.
Discover Our Unlimited PlanJoin the 550,000+ independent landlords who rely on TurboTenant to create welcoming rental experiences.
No tricks or trials to worry about. So what’s the harm? Try it today!