Alabama Notice to Quit

The Alabama Notice to Quit is a type of eviction notice form used by landlords, property managers, and property management companies to notify tenants that they must either comply with an order, or quit and give up possession of the rental property within a certain period of time. Alabama Notice to Quit forms are commonly used to inform the tenant of nonpayment of rent, lease termination, and health hazard or injury to the property.

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Alabama Notice to Quit - Why it is important?

Landlord and tenant discussing the importance of an Alabama Notice to Quit

You can use the notice to quit form to end your Alabama Residential Lease if the tenant has failed to pay rent. The Alabama Notice to Quit Form should not be confused with the "Writ of Possession" (read more about Alabama eviction notice) which is issued by the courts. The Notice to Quit Form is the beginning of the eviction process, and it communicates the intention to initiate eviction proceedings if a tenant does not comply with an order and remains on the premises beyond the specified date. If the tenant does not comply with the notice (for example they must pay rent or quit the lease and vacate the premises), you may be forced to take legal action to have the tenant removed from the property. If the notice has been ignored by the tenant and the move out date in the notice has passed, you have grounds to bring forth a lawsuit for “unlawful detainer”, in which case the tenant has the option to fight the eviction in court.Alabama Notice to Quit is important in following cases:

  • Serving a Notice to Quit is one of the first steps Alabama property management companies can take to regain possession of rental property from the tenant.
  • Alabama Notice to Quit notifies tenants they have violated the terms of the lease agreement and must vacate the premises within a certain period of time if they cannot comply with the remedy order.

Alabama Notice to Quit – When should it be used?

Signing an Alabama Notice to Quit rental document

Before the eviction process, when a landlord or property manager in Alabama wants a tenant to either comply with an order or vacate the rental property if they cannot comply, they will use the Alabama Notice to Quit Form to inform tenants they must remedy the problem within a short period of time (often 3-7 days), or leave the premises (quit) by a certain date (usually 30 days).

  • First Step in Eviction: A Notice to Quit is the initial step for Alabama property managers to regain possession of rental property from a tenant.
  • Violation Notification: It informs tenants that they have breached the lease and must vacate within a specific timeframe, unless they remedy the violation.
  • Legal Requirement: Alabama law mandates a Notice to Quit before initiating eviction proceedings in court. Without this notice, eviction cannot proceed.
  • Common Reasons: The notice is typically issued for nonpayment of rent, property damage, illegal subletting, or other lease violations.
  • Notice Periods: A 7-day notice is required for nonpayment of rent, and a 14-day notice is required for other lease violations.
  • Tenant’s Right to Cure: Tenants may have the opportunity to cure the violation (e.g., pay overdue rent) before eviction can proceed, particularly in nonpayment cases.

Property managers can use property management software to track each individual Alabama rental lease and make sure their tenants are paying the correct amount of rent and on time.

Alabama Notice to Quit – What should be included?

Landlord explaining Alabama Notice to Quit requirements to tenant

The Alabama Notice to Quit Form must contain the reason for serving the Notice to Quit and the amount of time the tenant has. The problem must be clearly stated on the notice, so the tenant has reasonable awareness and can either correct the issue, or vacate the rental property. Here are some of the basic details that should be included if the rental property is in Alabama:

Name of Tenant and Other Persons who need to comply with the order or vacate the property:

  1. Address of the Rental Property: Full legal address, including unit number if applicable.
  2. Name of Tenant and Other Persons: Full legal names of all tenants and other individuals required to vacate.
  3. Date of the Notice: The date when the Notice to Quit is issued.
  4. Landlord or Property Manager's Name: The full name or legal business name of the landlord or entity issuing the notice.
  5. Notice Period: Clearly specify the notice duration (e.g., 7 days for nonpayment, 14 days for other violations).
  6. Move-Out Date (Vacate Date): The exact date by which the tenant must vacate the property.
  7. Reason for Lease Termination: Clearly state the reason (e.g., nonpayment, lease violation).
  8. Signature of Party Giving Notice: The signature of the landlord or tenant, depending on who is initiating the notice.
  9. Legal Disclaimer: A statement confirming compliance with Alabama Civil Code and specifying that the notice may not be valid outside Alabama.

Alabama Notice to Quit – What should I do with it?

The Notice to Quit Form must be “served” to the tenant by either Personal Service or Mail Service. In some states you can leave it at the rental property right on the front door, but in most cases it is better for you to have an independent party take two copies of the Alabama Notice to Quit to the rental property, give one to the tenant in person, and get their signature on second copy so that you can retain for your records. If you are mailing the Notice to Quit, you should send the Alabama Notice to Quit Form using First Class Certified Mail and retain the receipt.

Alabama Notice to Quit – What else should I know?

There are generally three types of Alabama Notice to Quit Forms. The Alabama Notice to Quit for Nonpayment of Rent can be used when rent is not paid, and the tenant may be given a short period to either pay up or move out. The Alabama Notice to Quit Form for Termination of Tenancy is similar to the Alabama Notice to Vacate Form and can be used to inform the tenant to leave after the lease is up (common with month to month leases in Alabama), or if there is no lease and you just want the tenant to leave. It is different from the Alabama Lease Termination Form, which terminates the Alabama Lease Agreement when there are other breaches in contract. The Alabama Notice to Quit Form for Health Hazard and Physical Injury should be used if the tenant creates a health hazard or physical injury to the property which is serious or continuing. These forms must be detailed and specific, because an inaccurate or incomplete statement of the problems could cause a later eviction complaint to be dismissed.After receiving the Notice to Quit, the amount of time a tenant has until they have to comply or vacate the property will vary by state, so you should be sure to check with the laws in Alabama. In some states, tenants are given a 30 Day Notice to Quit, while in other states, a 3 Day Notice to Quit is acceptable.

Key Terms & Provisions

A Alabama Notice to Quit is a legal document used by either a landlord or a tenant to formally notify the other party that they intend to end the Rental Agreement. It must comply with Alabama Civil Code and be delivered in a legally acceptable way:

  • Date of Notice – The specific calendar date when the notice is issued.
  • Names of All Parties Involved – Full legal names of the tenant(s) and landlord/property manager.
  • Rental Property Address – Full legal address and unit description.
  • Notice Period: Clearly state the notice length 
  • Move-Out Date
  • Reason for Termination
  • Signature of Party Giving Notice: Landlord’s or tenant’s signature depending on who is initiating the notice.
  • Legal Disclaimer: A statement acknowledging that the form complies with Alabama Civil Code and may not be valid outside Alabama.

Why Alabama Landlords & Property Managers Choose SimplifyEm Notice to Quit Template?

Property manager recommending an Alabama Notice to Quit template

We understand the importance of handling lease terminations legally and efficiently in Alabama. That’s why our Alabama Notice to Quit Template is designed to simplify the process and minimize legal risk. Here’s why property managers and landlords trust SimplifyEm’s template:

  • Legally Compliant – Our Notice to Quit form is up-to-date with Alabama Civil Code and local laws, ensuring your notices are valid and enforceable.
  • Flexible Notice Periods – Whether dealing with nonpayment, lease violations, or other causes, our form accommodates the required notice periods (e.g., 7 days for nonpayment, 30 days for lease violations, depending on the specific situation).
  • Simple & User-Friendly – Designed for ease of use, our template allows landlords to quickly fill in essential details and issue notices accurately.
  • Helps Prevent Disputes – Clear language and proper documentation reduce the risk of misunderstandings or legal challenges during move-out.
  • Trusted by Thousands – SimplifyEm is a top-rated provider of property management tools, trusted by property owners nationwide.

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Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs

What is an Alabama Notice to Quit?

An Alabama Notice to Quit is a written notice from a landlord to a tenant indicating that the tenant must vacate the rental property due to a violation of the lease terms or the end of the rental period. It serves as the first step in the eviction process under Ala. Code § 35-9A-441.

How much notice is required to quit a rental in Alabama?

Under Alabama law (Ala. Code § 35-9A-441):

  • 7 days’ notice is required for week-to-week tenants.
  • 30 days’ notice is required for month-to-month tenants.
  • Fixed-term leases automatically end on the lease expiration date unless renewed.

Can a landlord give a Notice to Quit without stating a reason?

Yes, for month-to-month or week-to-week tenancies, a landlord can terminate the lease without cause, as long as the proper notice (7 or 30 days) is provided. However, the landlord cannot terminate in retaliation or for discriminatory reasons, per Ala. Code § 35-9A-501.

Can a landlord give a Notice to Quit before the lease ends?

Yes, but tenants may be liable for unpaid rent or early termination fees unless:

  • The landlord agrees to early termination in writing,
  • The lease has an early-termination clause,
  • The tenant has a legal justification such as unsafe living conditions (Ala. Code § 35-9A-404), active military duty, or landlord harassment.

What information must be included in a Notice to Quit?

An Alabama Notice to Quit must include:

  • Date of Notice – The specific calendar date when the notice is issued.
  • Names of All Parties Involved – Full legal names of the tenant(s) and landlord/property manager.
  • Rental Property Address – Full legal address and unit description.
  • Notice Period: Clearly state the notice length
  • Move-Out Date
  • Reason for Termination
  • Signature of Party Giving Notice: Landlord’s or tenant’s signature depending on who is initiating the notice.
  • Legal Disclaimer: A statement acknowledging that the form complies with Ala. Code § 35-9A-141.

How should a Notice to Quit be delivered in Alabama?

Legal delivery methods include:

  • Personal delivery to the tenant.
  • Leaving with someone of suitable age at the tenant's residence and mailing a copy.
  • First-class or certified mail.
  • Posting on the premises and mailing if other methods are not feasible.

What happens if a tenant doesn’t leave after receiving a Notice to Quit?

If the tenant does not vacate after the notice period, the landlord can file for an Unlawful Detainer action in court under Ala. Code § 35-9A-461. If the court rules in favor of the landlord, a writ of possession will allow law enforcement to remove the tenant.

Is a Notice to Quit the same as a Notice to Vacate?

No, a Notice to Quit is used to terminate a tenancy, often due to a violation, while a Notice to Vacate is typically given when the landlord or tenant chooses to end the tenancy without a violation.

Do landlords need to give written notice if their lease is ending?

Yes, even for fixed-term leases, tenants are encouraged to give written notice, typically 30 days, before the lease ends unless otherwise specified in the lease agreement. This allows time for move-out inspections and deposit return processing.

Can a landlord email an Alabama Notice to Quit?

No, under Alabama law, email delivery is not a legally recognized method for delivering a Notice to Quit. The notice must be delivered in person, by mail, or posted on the premises per Ala. Code § 35-9A-141.

Does Ala. Code § 35-9A change notice periods in Alabama?

Yes, under Ala. Code § 35-9A-441, landlords can terminate a month-to-month tenancy with proper notice, but they must not discriminate or retaliate against the tenant.

Can an Alabama Notice to Quit be used as a lease termination notice?

Yes, a Notice to Quit can serve as a Lease Termination notice:

  • Month-to-month lease: 30-day notice
  • Week-to-week lease: 7-day notice
  • Fixed-term lease: Ends automatically unless renewed.

If either party wants to terminate the lease early, a mutual agreement or court order is required.

Where can I get an Alabama Notice to Quit Form?

You can download a legally compliant, easy-to-use Alabama Notice to Quit Form for landlords or tenants here:

https://www.simplifyem.com/forms/alabama-notice-to-quit

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Always use a customizable Alabama Notice to Quit template to ensure compliance with Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act and simplify modifications or renewals.

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