A brief guide to Alabama landlord-tenant law
A rental or lease contract between two parties involves many different responsibilities and commitments. Alabama landlord-tenant laws have many conditions which must be followed at all stages of any property agreement.
As a renter, before you commit to any real estate contract, it is important to examine any property. While Alabama landlord-tenant laws require the owner of any property to maintain it in "livable" condition, it is important to make sure that this is the case before committing to any agreement. If you notice any problems, such as faulty electrical wiring or non-functioning toilets, point them out to the landlord and create a written agreement concerning repairs. You risk losing your Alabama landlord-tenant law rights if committing to an agreement with any landlord who is not willing to do so.
Alabama landlord-tenant law will require you to sign a written contract detailing the terms of your rental or lease. This document should include how much you will be expected to pay every month, the date payment will be expected, and the condition in which you must maintain property. At this time, it is important to determine who will be responsible for conducting any repairs which arise.
Alabama landlord-tenant law does not permit the owner of property to deny tenants of their legal rights. This means that you should not sign any contract which absolves the landlord of responsibility for repairs or makes you responsible for their legal fees in case of a dispute.
Any detail which concerns you should be documented in a contract. For example, you and your landlord may agree to use a neutral third party for mediation sessions in case of disputes before pursuing litigation.
As a tenant, you have certain responsibilities. If you fail to make payments in a timely fashion, damage the property and do not repair it, or maintain an unclean living space, you are in violation of Alabama landlord-tenant laws. The owner of your property has the right to inspect their property, providing that they provide you with advance written notice and come at a mutually agreed-upon time.
However, Alabama landlord-tenant law also limits the actions of property owners. For example, someone who wishes to evict you because you have not paid your rent cannot simply change the locks on your door or otherwise deny you access to property. They must follow the procedures documented in Alabama landlord-tenant laws, beginning by providing you with written notification of the actions they intend to take. There is a set timeline for eviction which must be followed
If you feel that your rights under Alabama landlord-tenant laws have been violated, you may choose to go to civil court to resolve the issue. Generally speaking, the outcome of litigation pursued under the rules of Alabama landlord-tenant law is to obtain financial compensation related to violation of the terms of a contract. You are allowed to pursue such litigation by yourself. However, the technicalities of Alabama landlord-tenant laws mean that you will generally have a better chance of obtaining your desired outcome with representation from a legal professional.
