AI Alabama Residential Lease Agreement

Generate a complete, ready-to-use Alabama Residential Lease Agreement, enter property address, rent, term, parties, and rules to get a fully drafted lease including security-deposit terms, required disclosures, entry-notice rules, and all state-mandated protections., -

This Residential Lease Agreement (this "Agreement") is entered into as of [[Agreement Date]] by and between [[Landlord Full Name]] ("Landlord"), with a mailing address of [[Landlord Mailing Address]], and [[Tenant Full Name(s)]] (jointly and severally, "Tenant"). Landlord and Tenant agree as follows., -

1. Definitions

"Premises" means the dwelling unit and any appurtenant parking, storage, or furnishings identified in Section 2. "Rent" means all periodic and other monetary obligations of Tenant under this Agreement. "Lease Term" means the period in Section 3. "Security Deposit" means the sum held pursuant to Section 6 and Ala. Code § 35-9A-201. "URLTA" means the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-101 et seq. Words importing the singular include the plural and vice versa.

2. Premises; Parking; Storage; Furnishings

Landlord leases to Tenant the residential dwelling unit located at [[Property Address, City, State, ZIP]] (the "Premises"). Assigned parking space(s): [[Parking Space(s) or "None"]]. Storage area: [[Storage Area or "None"]]. Furnishings and appliances included: [[Furnishings and Appliances Included, or "See Move-In Checklist"]]. Tenant has inspected and accepts the Premises in its current condition except as noted in the Move-In Inventory & Condition Checklist (Exhibit A). The Premises shall be used solely as a private residence.

3. Term; Possession; Holdover

3.1 Fixed Term. The Lease Term is [[Lease Term Length (e.g., 12 months)]], beginning on [[Lease Start Date]] and ending on [[Lease End Date]] (the "Expiration Date").

3.2 Month-to-Month Conversion. If Landlord accepts Rent after the Expiration Date without a new written agreement, the tenancy automatically converts to a month-to-month tenancy on the same terms, terminable by either party on 30 days' prior written notice as required by Ala. Code § 35-9A-441.

3.3 Delayed Possession. If Landlord cannot deliver possession by the Lease Start Date, Rent abates until possession is tendered. If possession is delayed beyond [[Delayed Possession Cure Period (e.g., 5 days)]], Tenant may terminate this Agreement and receive a full refund of all prepaid sums.

3.4 Holdover. A Tenant who remains in possession after the Expiration Date without Landlord's written consent is a holdover tenant and shall pay holdover use and occupancy of [[Holdover Rate (e.g., 150% of daily Rent per day)]] and is liable for all resulting damages, including costs of securing replacement tenancy.

4. Rent; Payment

Tenant shall pay Rent of [[Monthly Rent Amount]] per month, due in advance on the [[Rent Due Day (e.g., 1st)]] day of each month without demand, deduction, or offset, payable to [[Payee Name]] by [[Accepted Payment Methods (e.g., check, ACH, online portal)]] at [[Rent Payment Address or Portal URL]]. If the Lease Term begins on a day other than the first day of the month, the first month's Rent shall be prorated on a 30-day basis. Acceptance of partial or late payment shall not constitute a waiver of default or reinstate a tenancy after a notice to vacate has been served.

5. Late Charges; Returned Payments; Grace Period

5.1 Grace Period. Rent shall be deemed late if not received within [[Grace Period (e.g., 5 days)]] calendar days after the due date.

5.2 Late Charge. If Rent is not paid by the end of the grace period, Tenant shall pay a late charge of [[Late Fee Amount or Percentage]]. Alabama law imposes no statutory cap on late fees; however, the charge must represent a reasonable estimate of the actual loss to Landlord. Landlord will not apply a late charge to Rent that is paid within the grace period.

5.3 Returned Payment Fee. A fee of [[Returned Payment Fee (e.g., $35)]] applies to each returned or dishonored payment. After [[Number of Returned Payments (e.g., two)]] returned payments in any twelve-month period, Landlord may require all future Rent to be paid by certified funds.

6. Security Deposit

6.1 Amount. Upon execution of this Agreement, Tenant shall pay a security deposit of [[Security Deposit Amount]] (the "Security Deposit"). Alabama law (Ala. Code § 35-9A-201) does not cap the amount of a security deposit, but it must be held in a manner consistent with the URLTA.

6.2 Purpose. The Security Deposit secures Tenant's performance and may be applied to: (a) unpaid Rent; (b) costs to repair damage to the Premises or its contents beyond ordinary wear and tear; (c) costs to restore the Premises to its move-in cleanliness condition; and (d) any other sum due under this Agreement or permitted by the URLTA.

6.3 Accounting and Return. Within 60 days after Tenant vacates the Premises and returns all keys, Landlord shall: (i) return the Security Deposit in full; or (ii) provide Tenant with a written itemized statement of deductions accompanied by copies of receipts or invoices for repair costs, together with any remaining balance. Failure to comply shall entitle Tenant to recover the Security Deposit in full plus damages as provided by Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(f).

6.4 No Last-Month's-Rent Application. Tenant may not apply the Security Deposit against last month's Rent without Landlord's prior written consent.

6.5 Interest. Alabama law does not require Landlord to pay interest on the Security Deposit.

7. Utilities; Services

Tenant shall pay for: [[Tenant-Paid Utilities (e.g., electricity, gas, water, internet)]]. Landlord shall pay for: [[Landlord-Paid Utilities (e.g., trash, none)]]. Tenant shall place all tenant-paid utilities in Tenant's name effective on the Lease Start Date and shall not allow service to be interrupted or terminated during the Lease Term. Landlord is not liable for any interruption of services outside of Landlord's control.

8. Occupants; Guests

The Premises shall be occupied solely by Tenant and the following additional occupants: [[Additional Authorized Occupants' Names and Ages]]. No other person may reside in the Premises without Landlord's prior written consent. A guest occupying the Premises for more than [[Guest Stay Limit (e.g., 14)]] consecutive days without Landlord's written consent may be treated as an unauthorized occupant and a material breach of this Agreement.

9. Use; Conduct; Compliance with Law

Tenant shall use the Premises only as a private residential dwelling, shall not create or allow a nuisance, shall comply with all applicable federal, state, and local laws and ordinances, and shall not disturb the peaceful enjoyment of other tenants or neighbors. Business use that requires customer visits, signage, or special permits is prohibited without Landlord's prior written consent.

10. Pets; Assistance Animals

Pet Policy: [[Pet Policy (e.g., No pets permitted / Pets permitted with prior written approval and pet deposit)]]. No animal may be kept in or about the Premises without Landlord's prior written consent, except an assistance animal or service animal that must be permitted under applicable federal or state fair housing law. Tenant is responsible for all damage, cleaning costs, nuisance, or injury caused by any animal on the Premises.

11. Smoking; Cannabis

Smoking Policy: [[Smoking Policy (e.g., No smoking of any substance in or about the Premises)]]. Tenant is responsible for any damage caused by smoking or vaping inside the Premises, including deodorization and repainting required beyond ordinary wear and tear.

12. Parking; Vehicles

Only operable, currently registered vehicles may be parked in the assigned parking area. Inoperable, abandoned, or unauthorized vehicles may be towed at the vehicle owner's expense after any notice required by applicable law. Additional parking rules: [[Additional Parking Rules]].

13. Landlord's Duty to Maintain, Habitability

Landlord shall, at all times during the Lease Term, comply with the requirements of Ala. Code § 35-9A-204 and maintain the Premises in a fit and habitable condition, including:
(a) effective weatherproofing and protection of the Premises from weather and the elements;
(b) functioning plumbing, heating, and electrical facilities;
(c) maintenance of all common areas in a safe, clean, and sanitary condition;
(d) maintenance of the roof, floors, and structural components of the Premises;
(e) maintenance of all smoke detectors provided by Landlord in working order; and
(f) maintenance of all Landlord-supplied appliances in safe and working condition.

14. Tenant's Obligations, Care of Premises

Pursuant to Ala. Code § 35-9A-301, Tenant shall:
(a) keep the Premises safe, clean, and sanitary;
(b) dispose of all garbage and waste in proper receptacles;
(c) use all plumbing, electrical, and HVAC fixtures reasonably and properly;
(d) not intentionally or negligently damage, destroy, or remove any part of the Premises or its fixtures;
(e) not permit any guest or occupant to do any of the foregoing;
(f) replace HVAC filters at [[Filter Replacement Interval (e.g., every 90 days)]];
(g) replace smoke detector and carbon monoxide detector batteries as needed;
(h) keep plumbing clear of debris and report any leaks promptly; and
(i) maintain lawn, landscaping, and exterior areas as agreed: [[Yard/Landscaping Responsibility]].

15. Repair Requests; Emergencies

Tenant shall submit all routine repair requests in writing to [[Repair Contact Name, Method, and Address/Email]]. Landlord shall respond within a reasonable time. For emergencies threatening life, safety, or property (e.g., fire, flooding, gas leak), Tenant shall immediately call 911 if appropriate and then contact [[Emergency Contact Name and Phone Number]]. Tenant's failure to promptly report a known defect that results in damage may limit Tenant's remedies under the URLTA.

16. Alterations; Fixtures; Locks

Tenant shall not paint, wallpaper, install fixtures, satellite dishes, antennas, or security systems, or make any structural or cosmetic alterations to the Premises without Landlord's prior written consent. Any Tenant-installed improvements for which Landlord has not agreed to pay become Landlord's property upon installation unless the parties agree otherwise in writing. Tenant shall not install additional or replacement locks without giving Landlord a corresponding key before installation.

17. Landlord's Right of Entry

Pursuant to Ala. Code § 35-9A-303, Landlord may enter the Premises to inspect, make repairs or improvements, supply services, or show the Premises to prospective tenants, purchasers, lenders, or contractors, upon at least two (2) days' prior written notice delivered to Tenant, during normal business hours (8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.), except in an emergency. In an emergency, Landlord may enter without prior notice. Entry without proper notice, except in emergency, is unlawful.

18. Renter's Insurance; Waiver of Subrogation

18.1 Renter's Insurance. Tenant is strongly encouraged to obtain and maintain renter's insurance with personal liability coverage of at least [[Recommended Minimum Coverage (e.g., $100,000)]] throughout the Lease Term. Landlord's property insurance does not cover Tenant's personal property or personal liability.

18.2 Waiver of Subrogation. Each party waives all claims against the other for loss or damage to the extent covered by their respective insurance policies, and each party shall obtain from its insurer, if applicable, a waiver of subrogation endorsement.

19. Liability; Indemnification

Except to the extent caused by Landlord's negligence or willful misconduct or Landlord's violation of the URLTA, Tenant shall indemnify, defend, and hold harmless Landlord from and against all claims, liabilities, and expenses (including reasonable attorneys' fees) arising from Tenant's use or occupancy of the Premises or from the acts or omissions of Tenant, occupants, or guests. Landlord is not liable for damage to Tenant's personal property.

20. Assignment; Subletting

Tenant shall not assign this Agreement or sublet all or any portion of the Premises without Landlord's prior written consent, which Landlord may grant or withhold in Landlord's reasonable discretion. Any purported assignment or sublease without consent is void and constitutes a material breach. Consent to one assignment or sublease is not consent to any subsequent one.

21. Rules and Regulations; HOA/Condo Rules

Tenant shall comply with the Rules and Regulations attached as Exhibit B, as amended by Landlord on reasonable written notice. If the Premises is subject to a homeowners' or condominium association, Tenant shall comply with all applicable association rules, regulations, and declarations: [[HOA/Condo Rules Reference or "N/A"]]. Landlord shall provide Tenant a copy of any applicable association rules upon request.

22. Damage or Destruction (Casualty)

If the Premises is damaged by fire, flood, or other casualty not caused by Tenant's negligence or misconduct and is rendered wholly or substantially uninhabitable, Rent shall abate proportionally from the date possession is lost. If the Premises cannot reasonably be repaired to habitable condition within [[Casualty Repair Period (e.g., 45 days)]], either party may terminate this Agreement on written notice, and Landlord shall promptly refund prepaid Rent and the Security Deposit as provided herein.

23. Condemnation; Eminent Domain

If all or a material part of the Premises is taken or condemned by any governmental authority, this Agreement shall terminate as to the portion taken on the date possession is required, and Rent shall be adjusted accordingly. Landlord is entitled to the entire condemnation award. Tenant may separately pursue a claim for moving expenses or relocation assistance to the extent authorized by law.

24. Default by Tenant; Landlord's Remedies

24.1 Non-Payment of Rent. If Tenant fails to pay Rent when due, Landlord may deliver a written notice requiring Tenant to pay the full amount of overdue Rent or vacate the Premises within 7 days of delivery of the notice (Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(a)).

24.2 Material Noncompliance. If Tenant materially fails to comply with any provision of this Agreement (other than non-payment of Rent), Landlord shall deliver a written notice describing the noncompliance and requiring Tenant to remedy the breach within 14 days of delivery, or 30 days if the breach is not remediable within 14 days but Tenant begins and diligently pursues cure. If the breach is not remedied within the applicable period, Landlord may terminate the tenancy (Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(b)).

24.3 Repeat Violations. If Tenant commits a materially similar violation within 6 months after written notice of a prior violation, Landlord may terminate this Agreement on 14 days' notice without giving Tenant an opportunity to cure.

24.4 Remedies. Upon default and termination, Landlord may recover possession through a civil court action, recover unpaid Rent through the end of the Term (subject to the duty to mitigate by taking reasonable steps to re-rent the Premises), recover costs and attorneys' fees as permitted by Section 36, and apply the Security Deposit as provided herein.

24.5 No Self-Help. Landlord shall not engage in self-help remedies, including changing locks, removing doors, or shutting off utilities to force Tenant to vacate, as prohibited by Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-406 and 35-9A-407.

25. Default by Landlord; Tenant's Remedies

25.1 Habitability. If Landlord fails to maintain the Premises in a habitable condition as required by the URLTA, Tenant shall deliver written notice of the deficiency. If Landlord fails to remedy the condition within a reasonable time (generally not more than 14 days after notice, except for emergencies), Tenant may pursue remedies under Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-401 through 35-9A-407, which may include termination of the Agreement and recovery of damages.

25.2 No Repair-and-Deduct. Alabama law does not provide a statutory right to repair defects and deduct repair costs from Rent. Tenant's remedies are limited to those expressly permitted by the URLTA.

25.3 Emergency Repairs. If a repair is urgently needed to protect Tenant's health or safety and Landlord fails to make the repair within a reasonable time after notice, Tenant may seek judicial relief.

26. Abandonment; Personal Property

If Tenant abandons the Premises (as defined by the URLTA), Landlord may retake possession and dispose of any personal property left behind only in the manner authorized by Alabama law after any notice required by Ala. Code § 35-9A-421. Landlord has no obligation to store abandoned personal property beyond the period required by law.

27. Bankruptcy; Insolvency

Tenant's filing for bankruptcy protection or insolvency shall not enlarge Tenant's right to retain possession contrary to this Agreement, to the maximum extent permitted by applicable law.

28. Surrender; Move-Out; Final Inspection

At the end of the tenancy, Tenant shall: (a) remove all personal property; (b) return all keys, access cards, and remote-control devices; (c) leave the Premises in the same clean condition as received (ordinary wear and tear excepted), as documented in Exhibit A; (d) restore any Tenant-installed alterations (if required by Landlord's prior written notice); and (e) provide Landlord a written forwarding address for the Security Deposit accounting. Tenant may request a joint pre-move-out inspection. Landlord shall provide written notice of any deficiencies at or following that inspection.

29. Notices; Communication

All notices under this Agreement shall be in writing. Notices to Tenant may be delivered: (i) personally to Tenant at the Premises; (ii) left at the Premises with a person of suitable age and discretion; (iii) posted conspicuously on the main entry door and mailed by first-class mail. Notices to Landlord shall be sent to: [[Landlord Notice Address and/or Email]]. Notices by mail are deemed delivered 3 days after deposit in the U.S. mail with proper postage. Electronic notice is effective only if both parties agree in writing to electronic communication.

Month-to-Month Termination. To terminate a month-to-month tenancy, either party shall provide at least 30 days' prior written notice (Ala. Code § 35-9A-441).

30. Subordination; Estoppel; Attornment

This Agreement is and shall be subordinate to any present or future mortgage, deed of trust, or other security interest encumbering the Premises. Tenant shall, within ten (10) days of Landlord's written request, execute and deliver a commercially reasonable estoppel certificate certifying the status of this Agreement. Upon any foreclosure or transfer of title, Tenant shall attorn to the successor owner.

31. Waiver; Non-Waiver; Course of Dealing

No delay or failure by either party to enforce any provision of this Agreement constitutes a waiver of that party's right to enforce it thereafter. A waiver of any one breach is not a waiver of any subsequent breach of the same or any other provision. Acceptance of Rent with knowledge of a default shall not be deemed a waiver of the default unless expressly stated in writing.

32. Severability

If any provision of this Agreement is found invalid, unenforceable, or contrary to law, that provision shall be deemed severed, and the remaining provisions shall continue in full force and effect.

33. Time Is of the Essence

Time is of the essence with respect to all dates, deadlines, and notice periods under this Agreement.

34. Entire Agreement; Amendments; Counterparts

This Agreement, together with all Addenda and Exhibits identified herein, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the Premises and supersedes all prior oral or written negotiations, representations, or agreements. This Agreement may be modified only by a writing signed by both Landlord and Tenant. It may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be an original.

35. Electronic Signatures

This Agreement may be executed by electronic signature pursuant to the Alabama Uniform Electronic Transactions Act, Ala. Code §§ 8-1A-1 et seq. An electronic signature has the same legal effect as a handwritten signature.

36. Joint and Several Liability

Each person signing as Tenant is jointly and severally liable for all monetary and non-monetary obligations under this Agreement.

37. Attorneys' Fees; Costs

In any action or proceeding to enforce this Agreement or to recover possession or damages arising from this Agreement, the prevailing party may recover reasonable attorneys' fees and court costs to the extent permitted by applicable Alabama law and the URLTA.

38. Governing Law; Venue

This Agreement is governed by the laws of the State of Alabama, including the URLTA, Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-101 et seq. Any dispute shall be adjudicated in the court of appropriate jurisdiction in the county in which the Premises is located.

39. Retaliation Prohibition

Landlord shall not retaliate against Tenant by increasing Rent, reducing services, or bringing or threatening an eviction action because Tenant has (a) reported a housing code violation to a governmental authority; (b) organized or joined a tenants' organization; (c) testified in a judicial proceeding against Landlord; or (d) exercised any right afforded by the URLTA (Ala. Code § 35-9A-409).

40. Servicemembers Civil Relief Act

A Tenant who is a servicemember or the dependent of a servicemember may terminate this Agreement before the Expiration Date upon entering military service, receiving permanent change-of-station orders, receiving deployment orders for a period in excess of 90 days, or upon any other qualifying circumstance, by delivering written notice with a copy of the military orders to Landlord. The termination is effective not earlier than 30 days after the next rental due date following delivery of the notice, pursuant to 50 U.S.C. § 3955.

41. Domestic Violence; Sexual Assault; Stalking Protections

Pursuant to Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-460 through 35-9A-468, a Tenant who is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, or stalking may be entitled to early termination of this Agreement upon providing Landlord with documented evidence of the status (e.g., a court protective order, law-enforcement report, or written statement of a qualified third-party professional). Landlord shall not disclose confidential information provided under this Section except as required by law.

42. Disclosures (Alabama)

42.1 Lead-Based Paint (Pre-1978 Properties). If the Premises was constructed before 1978, the federal Lead-Based Paint Disclosure and the EPA pamphlet *Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home* are attached as Exhibit C (42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 C.F.R. Part 745). Landlord's known lead-based paint hazards: [[Lead Paint Hazard Disclosure or "None Known"]].

42.2 Smoke Detectors. Landlord certifies that at least one operable smoke detector is installed on each floor of the Premises as required by Ala. Code § 24-9-2. Tenant shall test smoke detectors monthly, replace batteries as needed, and shall not remove or disable any detector.

42.3 Carbon Monoxide Detectors. If the Premises contains a fossil-fuel-burning appliance, attached garage, or other source of carbon monoxide, Landlord has installed a functioning carbon monoxide detector. Tenant shall maintain it as described in Section 42.2.

42.4 Flood Disclosure. Flood-hazard status of the Premises: [[Flood Zone Designation or "See FEMA Flood Map"]]. Tenant is advised to inquire about the availability of flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

42.5 Mold. Landlord is not aware of any active mold growth in the Premises at the time of this Agreement. Mold disclosure: [[Known Mold Conditions or "None Known"]]. Tenant shall promptly notify Landlord in writing of any visible mold or moisture intrusion.

42.6 Shared Utility Metering. If a utility meter serves units in addition to the Premises, the method of calculating Tenant's share is: [[Shared Meter Proration Method or "N/A, Separate Meter"]].

42.7 Sex Offender Registry. Information about registered sex offenders in Alabama is available to the public through the Alabama Sex Offender Registry at www.acic.org. Landlord makes no specific disclosure about offenders in the vicinity of the Premises.

42.8 Mandatory Fees. The following recurring fees in addition to base Rent are required as a condition of this tenancy: [[Mandatory Fee Description and Amount, or "None"]].

42.9 Prior Meth-Lab Use. Landlord's disclosure of known prior methamphetamine manufacture on the Premises: [[Disclosure or "None Known"]].

43. Move-In; Move-Out Condition; Move-In Checklist

Within [[Days to Complete Checklist (e.g., 5 days)]] days after Tenant takes possession, Tenant shall complete, sign, and return the Move-In Inventory & Condition Checklist (Exhibit A). The checklist documents the condition of the Premises and its contents as of the Lease Start Date and shall be used as the baseline when assessing move-out deductions from the Security Deposit. Failure to return the completed checklist within the specified period constitutes Tenant's acceptance of the Premises in the condition described by Landlord in Exhibit A.

44. Addenda and Exhibits

The following are attached and incorporated into this Agreement by reference:

• Exhibit A, Move-In Inventory & Condition Checklist
• Exhibit B, Rules and Regulations
• Exhibit C, Lead-Based Paint Disclosure and EPA Pamphlet (if Premises built before 1978)
• Exhibit D, Pet Addendum (if applicable): [[Pet Addendum or "N/A"]]
• Exhibit E, Additional Addenda: [[Additional Addenda Description or "None"]], -

Signatures

LANDLORD

By: _______________________
Printed Name: [[Landlord Signatory Name]]
Title (if entity): [[Title or "Owner"]]
Date: __________, -

TENANT

_______________________
Printed Name: [[Tenant Name, Primary]]
Date: __________, -

_______________________
Printed Name: [[Tenant Name, Additional (if any)]]
Date: __________, -

GUARANTOR (if applicable)

The undersigned personally and unconditionally guarantees all of Tenant's monetary and performance obligations under this Agreement.

By: _______________________
Printed Name: [[Guarantor Full Name]]
Address: [[Guarantor Address]]
Date: __________, -

*Template, not professional advice. Consult a licensed Alabama real estate attorney or the Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service before using this document. Alabama statutes cited are current as of June 2026; verify against the current Alabama Code and applicable local ordinances before use.*

Statutory sources: Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-101 et seq. (Alabama URLTA); § 35-9A-201 (security deposit, 60-day return); § 35-9A-204 (habitability); § 35-9A-301 (tenant duties); § 35-9A-303 (landlord's right of entry, 2-day notice); §§ 35-9A-401, 35-9A-407 (tenant remedies; self-help prohibition); § 35-9A-409 (retaliation prohibition); §§ 35-9A-421(a)(b) (7-day pay-or-quit; 14-day cure-or-quit); § 35-9A-441 (30-day month-to-month termination); §§ 35-9A-460, 35-9A-468 (domestic violence/stalking protections); § 24-9-2 (smoke detectors); §§ 8-1A-1 et seq. (UETA, electronic signatures); 42 U.S.C. § 4852d (federal lead-based paint disclosure); 40 C.F.R. Part 745 (lead disclosure regulations); 50 U.S.C. § 3955 (SCRA). As of June 2026.