Alabama's Residential Landlord-Tenant Act
Alabama's landlord-tenant relationship is governed by the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), found at Code of Alabama §§ 35-9A-101 through 35-9A-603. However, this Act only applies in counties or municipalities that have adopted it. As of 2026, the URLTA has been adopted in Jefferson, Mobile, Madison, and several other counties. In areas where the URLTA is not in effect, older common law and scattered statutes apply—meaning tenant rights depend significantly on where in Alabama you live.
Security Deposits in Alabama
Where the URLTA applies, security deposits are limited to one month's rent for unfurnished units and two months' for furnished units. Landlords must return the deposit (or an itemized written statement of deductions) within 35 days of the tenant vacating. Failing to provide the itemized statement within that window means the landlord forfeits their right to make deductions—you can recover the full deposit. In URLTA jurisdictions, landlords who wrongfully withhold deposits can be sued for double the withheld amount plus attorney's fees.
Habitability Standards
Under the URLTA, landlords must maintain premises in a fit and habitable condition, including functioning heat, plumbing, and electrical systems, and structural soundness. Tenants who report habitability issues have protection against retaliatory eviction—a landlord cannot legally evict you within six months of a good-faith complaint to a building inspector or housing authority.
In non-URLTA counties, Alabama does not recognize an implied warranty of habitability in the same way. This is a meaningful gap that tenant advocates have long sought to close through statewide adoption of the URLTA.
Eviction Procedures
Alabama landlords cannot self-help evict tenants by changing locks, removing belongings, or cutting off utilities. Formal eviction (unlawful detainer) requires written notice (7 days for non-payment in URLTA jurisdictions; 14 days for lease violations) followed by court proceedings. Tenants have the right to appear in court and contest the eviction. Default judgments are common when tenants don't appear—if you receive an eviction notice or court summons, respond promptly.
Your Rights as an Alabama Renter
Regardless of URLTA applicability, Alabama tenants retain basic rights: protection from housing discrimination under federal fair housing law; the right to a receipt for cash rental payments; the right to challenge retaliatory evictions in court; and the right to report code violations without illegal retaliation. Local legal aid societies can assist income-qualifying tenants with eviction defense and habitability disputes at no cost.
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Frequently asked questions
Does the URLTA apply in my Alabama county?
The URLTA applies in Alabama counties and municipalities that have formally adopted it by local ordinance. Check with your county or city government, or contact your local legal aid office, to confirm whether the URLTA applies in your area. If it does not, common law rules and scattered statutory provisions govern your rights.
Can an Alabama landlord raise the rent without notice?
In URLTA jurisdictions, landlords must give written notice of a rent increase at least as long as the rent payment period before it takes effect—for month-to-month tenancies, that means 30 days. Fixed-term leases lock in rent for the lease duration; landlords cannot increase rent mid-lease without your agreement.
What can I do if my landlord won't make repairs in Alabama?
In URLTA jurisdictions, after giving written notice and waiting a reasonable time (typically 14 days for non-emergency repairs), a tenant may terminate the lease and vacate, or in some circumstances hire a repairperson and deduct the cost from rent ("repair and deduct"). In non-URLTA areas, options are more limited, and tenants typically must pursue a housing code complaint with local authorities or bring a civil action.