Alabama Notice to Vacate

A legally compliant notice to vacate under Alabama's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-101 through 35-9A-603). Use the correct notice type based on the reason for termination: 30-day no-cause termination of a month-to-month tenancy (Ala. Code § 35-9A-441(b)), 7-day pay-or-quit for nonpayment of rent (§ 35-9A-421(b)), 14-day cure-or-quit for a lease violation (§ 35-9A-421(a)), or tenant-to-landlord 30-day termination notice., -

Notice Type Selection Guide

Select the applicable notice type before completing the form. Using the wrong notice type may void the notice and prevent the landlord from proceeding with an unlawful-detainer action.

> Important, computing deadlines: Alabama uses calendar days. Notice periods begin on the date of receipt (not the mailing date). If served by mail, add three (3) calendar days for deemed receipt under Ala. Code § 35-9A-141. Do not count the day of service; begin counting the day after receipt., -

NOTICE TO VACATE ### (Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-101 et seq.)

Date of Notice: [[Date of Notice]]

FROM (Sending Party):
[[Sender Full Name]]
[[Sender Mailing Address]]
[[Sender City]], Alabama [[Sender ZIP Code]]
Phone: [[Sender Phone Number]]
Email: [[Sender Email Address]]

TO (Receiving Party):
[[Recipient Full Name(s)]]
AND ALL OCCUPANTS of the premises located at:
[[Rental Property Address]], [[City]], Alabama [[ZIP Code]] (the "Premises")

RE: Tenancy at the Premises, [[Describe Tenancy Type: month-to-month / week-to-week / fixed term ending [[Lease End Date]]]]

Tenancy Commencement Date (approximate): [[Tenancy Start Date]], -

*(Select and complete ONLY the section that applies to your situation. Strike or delete the others.)*, -

OPTION A, 30-Day Notice of Termination of Month-to-Month Tenancy *(Ala. Code § 35-9A-441(b), No-Cause Termination by Landlord)*, -

30-DAY NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF MONTH-TO-MONTH TENANCY

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Ala. Code § 35-9A-441(b), your month-to-month tenancy for the Premises described above is hereby TERMINATED, effective at the end of the rental period that falls at least thirty (30) days after the date this notice is received.

Tenancy Termination Date: [[Termination Date, must be the last day of a rental period at least 30 days after receipt of this notice]]

You are required to vacate and surrender possession of the Premises in clean condition, with all personal belongings removed, no later than 11:59 p.m. on [[Termination Date]].

On or before the Termination Date, please:

1. Remove all personal property from the Premises.

2. Return all keys, garage-door openers, mailbox keys, and any other access devices to [[Landlord Name or Authorized Agent]] at [[Return Location / Address]].

3. Ensure all utilities in your name are canceled or transferred, effective [[Termination Date]].

4. Provide your forwarding address in writing to ensure timely return of your security deposit.

This notice does not reflect any fault or wrongdoing on your part. It is a no-cause termination of a periodic tenancy as permitted under Alabama law. Alabama does not impose a statewide just-cause requirement for termination of month-to-month residential tenancies.

Security Deposit: Your security deposit of $[[Security Deposit Amount]] is held by [[Landlord or Agent Name]]. Pursuant to Ala. Code § 35-9A-201, after you vacate and provide a forwarding address, the landlord must either return the deposit in full or provide a written itemization of deductions with supporting receipts within sixty (60) days.

All rent and other charges due under the tenancy through [[Termination Date]] remain payable. If you remain in possession of the Premises after [[Termination Date]] without the landlord's written consent, you will be a holdover tenant subject to a daily use-and-occupancy charge and to unlawful-detainer proceedings., -

OPTION B, 7-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit *(Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(b), Nonpayment of Rent)*, -

7-DAY NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that you are in default of your rental obligation at the Premises for failure to pay rent when due. Pursuant to Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(b), the following amounts are past due and unpaid as of the date of this notice:

Itemized Rent Due:

Total Rent Due: $[[Total Rent Amount]]

> Alabama Law Note: This demand is for rent only. Late fees, attorney fees, and other charges are not includable in a pay-or-quit rent demand and do not extend the seven-day period. Do not include non-rent amounts in the total.

You are hereby NOTIFIED AND DEMANDED to do ONE of the following within SEVEN (7) CALENDAR DAYS of receipt of this notice:

1. PAY IN FULL the total rent due of $[[Total Rent Amount]] to [[Landlord or Authorized Agent Full Name]] at [[Payment Address / Method]]; OR

2. VACATE AND SURRENDER POSSESSION of the Premises no later than 11:59 p.m. on [[7th Day After Deemed Receipt, Date]].

The deadline to pay or vacate is: [[Deadline Date]].

If you fail to pay the total rent owed or vacate by the deadline, the landlord will terminate your rental agreement and file an unlawful-detainer action in the appropriate Alabama court to recover possession, back rent, costs, and all other relief the court may award.

Reinstatement: Payment of the full amount due within the notice period will cure this default and reinstate your tenancy. Partial payment will not cure the default unless the landlord expressly agrees in writing. Acceptance of partial rent after this notice does not constitute a waiver of the right to proceed with eviction unless stated in writing., -

OPTION C, 14-Day Notice to Cure Lease Violation or Quit *(Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(a), Material Lease Violation, Remediable)*, -

14-DAY NOTICE TO CURE LEASE VIOLATION OR QUIT

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that you are in material noncompliance with the terms of your rental agreement for the Premises. Pursuant to Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(a), the following violation(s) has/have been identified:

Description of Violation(s):
> [[Detailed Description of Lease Violation, e.g., "You have kept an unauthorized pet (a dog) at the Premises in violation of Section 12 of the Lease Agreement, which expressly prohibits pets without prior written landlord approval. The pet was observed on the Premises on [[Date(s) Observed]]."]]

Date(s) of Observed Violation: [[Date(s) Violation Observed or Occurred]]

Lease Provision(s) Violated: [[Cite Specific Lease Section(s), e.g., Section 12; and/or Ala. Code § 35-9A-301 if health/safety related]], -

You are hereby NOTIFIED AND DEMANDED to do ONE of the following within FOURTEEN (14) CALENDAR DAYS of receipt of this notice:

1. CURE THE VIOLATION by performing the following specific action(s):
[[Specific Remedial Action Required, e.g., "Remove the unauthorized pet from the Premises and provide the landlord with written confirmation of removal."]]
Cure must be completed no later than [[14th Day After Deemed Receipt, Date]]; OR

2. VACATE AND SURRENDER POSSESSION of the Premises no later than 11:59 p.m. on [[14th Day After Deemed Receipt, Date]].

If you adequately remedy the breach within fourteen (14) days, the rental agreement will not terminate. Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(a) provides that if the tenant cures the violation, the notice is nullified and the tenancy continues. If you fail to cure or vacate by the deadline, the rental agreement will terminate on [[Termination Date]] and the landlord will immediately file an unlawful-detainer action.

Note on Non-Remediable Violations: If the lease violation involves substantial damage to the property, criminal activity on or near the Premises, or conduct that is not curable by its nature, this notice may be modified to require unconditional vacature within 14 days without a cure opportunity, as permitted under Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(a), second paragraph., -

OPTION D, 7-Day Unconditional Notice to Quit *(Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(a), Repeated Violation, Same Breach Within 6 Months)*, -

7-DAY UNCONDITIONAL NOTICE TO QUIT

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that you have committed the same or substantially similar lease violation for which you previously received written notice within the past six (6) months. Pursuant to Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(a), you have NO RIGHT TO CURE this repeated breach and your rental agreement is hereby terminated.

Prior Written Notice:

• Date of Prior Notice: [[Date of Prior Written Notice]]
• Violation Identified in Prior Notice: [[Description of Prior Violation]]

Current Repeated Violation:

• Date of Current Violation: [[Date of Current Violation]]
• Description: [[Detailed Description of Current Repeated Violation, same type as prior notice]]

You are hereby NOTIFIED AND DEMANDED to vacate and surrender possession of the Premises no later than 11:59 p.m. on [[7th Day After Deemed Receipt, Date]]. You are not entitled to cure this violation.

Failure to vacate by the deadline will result in the landlord immediately filing an unlawful-detainer action in the appropriate Alabama court., -

OPTION E, 30-Day Tenant Notice to Vacate (Tenant-to-Landlord) *(Ala. Code § 35-9A-441(b), Tenant Termination of Month-to-Month Tenancy)*, -

TENANT'S 30-DAY NOTICE TO VACATE

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that pursuant to Ala. Code § 35-9A-441(b), I, the undersigned Tenant, hereby provide notice of my intent to terminate and vacate the Premises described above, effective at the end of the rental period at least thirty (30) calendar days from the date this notice is received.

Intended Move-Out / Vacate Date: [[Vacate Date, at least 30 days from date of delivery to landlord]]

I intend to:

1. Remove all personal property from the Premises by [[Vacate Date]].

2. Return all keys, access devices, and garage-door openers to [[Landlord Name or Agent]] at [[Return Location]] by [[Vacate Date]].

3. Leave the Premises in clean condition, free of damage beyond ordinary wear and tear.

4. Provide the following forwarding address for return of the security deposit:

Forwarding Address: [[Tenant's Forwarding Address, City, State, ZIP]]

Pursuant to Ala. Code § 35-9A-201, I understand that the landlord must return the security deposit or provide a written itemization of deductions within sixty (60) days after I vacate and provide a forwarding address.

All rent due through [[Vacate Date]] will be paid as agreed., -

OPTION F, End-of-Fixed-Term Notice to Vacate *(Post-Lease-Expiration, Tenant Already Occupying After Term End)*, -

NOTICE TO VACATE, END OF LEASE TERM

PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the Lease Agreement for the Premises expired on [[Lease Expiration Date]]. Your tenancy has not been renewed, and no new rental agreement has been executed. You are hereby notified that you must vacate and surrender possession of the Premises.

Vacate Deadline: No later than 11:59 p.m. on [[Vacate-By Date]].

As of [[Lease Expiration Date]], you occupy the Premises as a holdover tenant without the landlord's consent. Daily use-and-occupancy charges of $[[Daily Holdover Rate]] per day accrue from [[Lease Expiration Date]] until possession is surrendered. The landlord reserves all rights to recover holdover damages and to file an unlawful-detainer action without further notice if you remain in possession after the stated deadline.

Please return all keys, access devices, and garage-door openers to [[Landlord or Agent Name]] at [[Return Location]] by the vacate deadline. Provide your forwarding address for security deposit accounting. The landlord will account for the security deposit within sixty (60) days of your surrender and will apply any lawful deductions per Ala. Code § 35-9A-201., -

Signature and Date

*(Complete for ALL notice types)*, -

*Signature of Sending Party (Landlord / Authorized Agent / Tenant)*

___________________________________
[[Sender Full Name]]
[[Title: Owner / Property Manager / Authorized Agent / Tenant]]
[[Sender Mailing Address]]
[[City]], Alabama [[ZIP Code]]
Phone: [[Sender Phone Number]]

Date Signed: [[Date Signed]], -

Service of Notice, Permitted Methods *(Ala. Code § 35-9A-141)*

Alabama law authorizes the following methods of serving a notice to vacate:

Method 1, Personal Delivery
Hand-deliver the notice directly to the tenant (or, for a tenant notice, to the landlord or their authorized agent). The notice period begins the day of actual delivery.

Method 2, First-Class Mail
Send by first-class U.S. Mail addressed to the recipient at the Premises (or at the landlord's address for a tenant notice). The notice is deemed received three (3) calendar days after the date of mailing under Ala. Code § 35-9A-141. Add 3 days to all deadlines when using mail only.

Method 3, Posting and Mailing (Substituted Service)
If personal delivery is not possible, affix a copy of the notice to the main entrance of the Premises and send a second copy by first-class mail to the same address. Deemed received three (3) days after mailing.

> Best Practice: Use certified mail, return receipt requested in addition to posting or personal service. Retain the certified-mail receipt and signed return card as evidence. Alabama courts require proof of proper service before an unlawful-detainer action may proceed., -

Certificate / Proof of Service

*(Complete the section for the method used. Sign and retain. File with the court if required.)*, -

Certificate A, Personal Delivery

I, [[Server's Full Name]], certify under penalty of perjury that on [[Date of Service]], at approximately [[Time of Service a.m./p.m.]], I personally served the foregoing Notice to Vacate upon:

Recipient: [[Recipient Full Name(s)]]

at the premises located at [[Rental Property Address]], [[City]], Alabama [[ZIP Code]],

by:
- ☐ Handing a copy directly to the recipient
- ☐ Leaving a copy with [[Name of Person], a person of suitable age and discretion residing at / present at the Premises

The notice period begins on [[Date of Service]] and the deadline is [[Deadline Date]].

___________________________________
Signature of Server

[[Server's Full Name]]
[[Server's Address]]
[[City]], Alabama [[ZIP Code]]

Date Certificate Signed: [[Date]], -

Certificate B, First-Class and/or Certified Mail

I, [[Server's Full Name]], certify under penalty of perjury that on [[Date of Mailing]], I mailed the foregoing Notice to Vacate to:

Recipient: [[Recipient Full Name(s)]]
Address: [[Rental Property Address]], [[City]], Alabama [[ZIP Code]]

by:
- ☐ First-class U.S. Mail, postage prepaid
- ☐ Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, USPS Tracking No. [[Tracking Number]]

Pursuant to Ala. Code § 35-9A-141, the notice is deemed received three (3) days after mailing on [[Deemed-Receipt Date (Mailing Date + 3 Days)]]. The compliance/vacate deadline is [[Deadline Date]].

___________________________________
Signature of Server

[[Server's Full Name]]
[[Server's Address]]
[[City]], Alabama [[ZIP Code]]

Date Certificate Signed: [[Date]], -

Certificate C, Posting and Mailing (Substituted Service)

I, [[Server's Full Name]], certify under penalty of perjury that on [[Date of Posting]], after being unable to serve the recipient personally, I affixed a copy of the foregoing Notice to Vacate to the main entrance/front door of the Premises located at [[Rental Property Address]], [[City]], Alabama [[ZIP Code]], and on [[Date of Mailing]] sent a second copy by first-class U.S. Mail, postage prepaid, to the same address.

• ☐ Certified Mail also sent, USPS Tracking No. [[Tracking Number]]

Pursuant to Ala. Code § 35-9A-141, the notice is deemed received three (3) days after mailing on [[Deemed-Receipt Date]]. The compliance/vacate deadline is [[Deadline Date]].

___________________________________
Signature of Server

[[Server's Full Name]]
[[Server's Address]]
[[City]], Alabama [[ZIP Code]]

Date Certificate Signed: [[Date]], -

Date Computation Guide

30-Day No-Cause Example, Mailed June 2:
- Mailing date: June 2
- Deemed received: June 5 (Day 0)
- 30-day period ends: July 5
- Termination date: June 30 (last day of rental period falling on or after July 5, use July 31 if June 30 is earlier than 30 days)

> Tip: For a month-to-month tenancy with rent due on the 1st, serve the 30-day notice no later than the 1st of the month to ensure termination falls on the last day of that calendar month (e.g., serve on June 1 → termination June 30)., -

Alabama Notice to Vacate, Statutory Quick Reference

Pre-Filing Checklist, Before Filing Unlawful Detainer

Complete all items before filing an eviction (unlawful-detainer) action in Alabama District or Circuit Court:

• [ ] Correct notice type selected for the stated ground
• [ ] Statutory notice period has fully elapsed with no cure or vacatur
• [ ] Notice served by a permitted method (personal delivery, first-class mail, or posting + mail)
• [ ] Proof-of-service certificate completed and signed
• [ ] Certified-mail receipt and/or return card retained in landlord's file
• [ ] For 7-day pay-or-quit: demand states rent only, no late fees or non-rent charges included
• [ ] For 14-day cure-or-quit: specific lease provision and factual basis for breach stated in the notice
• [ ] For repeated-violation: prior written notice within the last 6 months retained and referenced
• [ ] No self-help eviction actions taken (no lock change, utility shutoff, or property removal)
• [ ] SCRA check: tenant is not on active military duty (50 U.S.C. §§ 3901 et seq.)
• [ ] No retaliation trigger present (tenant has not recently made a housing complaint, organized, or exercised a statutory right)
• [ ] No fair housing protected-class issue involved in the termination decision
• [ ] Filing venue confirmed: District Court (claims under $20,000) or Circuit Court ($20,000+), -

Retaliation and Discrimination Warning

Retaliation: Under Ala. Code § 35-9A-409, a landlord may not terminate a tenancy, increase rent, or decrease services in retaliation for the tenant having: (1) complained to a government agency about a housing code violation; (2) organized or joined a tenants' association; or (3) exercised any statutory right under the URLTA. A court may award the tenant up to three months' rent plus attorney fees for retaliatory conduct.

Fair Housing: A notice to vacate may not be based, in whole or in part, on the tenant's race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status, or disability under the federal Fair Housing Act (42 U.S.C. § 3604) or the Alabama Fair Housing Law (Ala. Code § 24-8-4). A notice motivated by protected-class status exposes the landlord to substantial civil liability and federal/state administrative complaints.

Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA): Active-duty military tenants have special protections under 50 U.S.C. § 3931 that may limit or delay eviction. Verify military status before serving any notice., -

Disclaimer and Sources

> Template, not professional legal advice. This template provides general guidance on Alabama notice-to-vacate requirements as of June 2026 and is not a substitute for advice from a licensed Alabama attorney. Eviction law and local ordinances are subject to change; consult a qualified real estate attorney to verify that all statutory periods, service requirements, and court procedures are current and applicable to your specific situation. This notice alone does not remove a tenant from possession, a separate unlawful-detainer court action is required if the tenant fails to comply.

Sources (as of June 2026):

• Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-101 through 35-9A-603
• Ala. Code § 35-9A-141 (Notice, method and delivery)
• Ala. Code § 35-9A-201 (Security deposits, 60-day return)
• Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-406, 35-9A-407 (Tenant's remedies; landlord prohibited acts, no self-help)
• Ala. Code § 35-9A-409 (Retaliation)
• Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-421, 35-9A-441 (Noncompliance; termination and notice)
• Fair Housing Act, 42 U.S.C. § 3601 et seq.
• Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, 50 U.S.C. §§ 3901 et seq.
• Alabama Fair Housing Law, Ala. Code § 24-8-1 et seq.