Alabama Lease Agreement

An Alabama lease agreement is a written contract between a landlord or property manager and a tenant that explains all the important rental terms—such as rent amount, due date, lease length, and maintenance responsibilities.

To be legally valid, it must follow Alabama’s Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Title 35, Chapter 9A). This law protects both landlords and tenants by defining their rights and obligations.

Any updates or addendums must be in writing and signed by both parties to be enforceable.

Landlords and property managers in Alabama commonly use a few different types of leases:

• Fixed-Term Lease: Runs for a specific period (for example, 12 months). Rent and terms stay the same until the lease ends.
• Month-to-Month Rental Agreement: Automatically renews every month until either party gives at least 30 days’ written notice to end it.
• Sublease Agreement: Allows an existing tenant to rent out the property to another person (a “subtenant”) — but only with the landlord’s written approval.
• Commercial Lease: Used for business properties like offices or storefronts (governed by separate commercial leasing laws).

A comprehensive Alabama rental agreement should include:

• Tenant and Landlord Names: Full legal names of everyone involved.
• Property Address: Full legal address and unit details.
• Lease Term: Start and end dates, along with renewal or termination terms.
• Rent Details: Monthly rent amount, due date, payment methods, and late fee policies.
• Security Deposit Terms: Deposit amount, refund policy, deductions. Alabama caps deposits at one month’s rent (unless justified). The landlord must return the deposit within 60 days of the tenant moving out (AL Code § 35-9A-204).
• Alabama Required Disclosures:
  • Lead-based paint disclosures (for properties built before 1978).
  • Landlord or Manager disclosure: The lease must clearly identify the property owner or management company and provide their contact information. This helps tenants know who to reach out to for repairs, maintenance, or emergencies. (AL Code § 35-9A-202)
• Signatures of both parties: Both landlord and tenant must sign and date the lease.

The main difference is the duration, flexibility, and legal obligations under Alabama law:

• Lease Agreement: Usually covers a fixed term—such as 6 or 12 months—with rent and terms locked in for that period. Breaking a lease early can lead to financial penalties unless both parties agree or the lease allows it.
• Rental Agreement (Month-to-Month): Typically runs month-to-month and renews automatically. Either party can end it with 30 days’ written notice, and landlords can adjust terms for the next month if they give proper notice (AL Code § 35-9A-441).

No. Under Alabama landlord-tenant law, a landlord cannot increase rent during a fixed-term lease unless the lease specifically allows it.

For month-to-month leases, landlords may raise rent but must give at least 30 days’ written notice before the increase takes effect. Alabama does not limit the percentage of the increase—it simply requires proper notice.

If a tenant ends a lease before it expires, they may still be responsible for rent until the lease term ends—unless the landlord re-rents the unit quickly.

Under the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (§ 35-9A-423), landlords must make reasonable efforts to re-rent the property to reduce the tenant’s financial loss.

Example: If a tenant leaves after six months on a 12-month lease, and the landlord finds a new renter within two weeks, the original tenant only owes rent for that two-week vacancy period.

Some leases include an early termination clause that explains how much notice a tenant needs to give and whether any fees apply for ending the lease early.

Renewal and termination rules for Fixed-Term Leases and Month-to-Month Leases in Alabama are governed by Alabama Code Title 35, Chapter 9A.

• Fixed-Term Lease: Ends automatically on the stated end date unless both parties agree to renew. Renewals should always be done in writing, either through a new lease or a signed addendum. If the tenant stays beyond the term, it may convert to a month-to-month lease unless specified otherwise in the lease.
• Month-to-Month Lease: Automatically renews each month until someone gives proper notice. Either landlord or tenant can end the agreement with 30 days’ written notice (AL Code § 35-9A-441).

Yes — but only if both the landlord and tenant agree in writing.

Any changes should be added as a lease addendum that clearly describes what’s being modified (for example, a rent change, pet policy, or added occupant). Both parties must sign and date the addendum to make it legally binding and must comply with Alabama’s Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Title 35, Chapter 9A).