SB316 Alabama 2011 Session

Updated Feb 27, 2026

Notable

Summary

Primary Sponsor: Del Marsh
Republican
Session: Regular Session 2011
Title: Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, definitions, unenforceable provisions in a rental agreement, access to rental property by a landlord for repairs, attorney fees, noncompliance by landlord or tenant, noncurable default, a landlord's remedy for abandonment of rental property by a tenant, further provided for, Secs. 35-9A-141, 35-9A-163, 35-9A-303, 35-9A-401, 35-9A-421, 35-9A-423, 35-9A-426 am'd.
Summary: This bill updates Alabama's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to define terms, ban certain unfavorable rental clauses, clarify landlord access, and strengthen remedies and damages for both landlords and tenants.
What This Bill Does
The bill defines key rental terms such as dwelling unit, premises, tenant, and landlord. It bans certain rental provisions that waive rights, allow confession of judgment, require payment of the landlord's attorney fees, or indemnify the landlord against liability, and lets tenants recover up to one month’s rent plus reasonable attorney’s fees if such provisions are enforced. It sets rules for landlord access to a rental unit, including emergencies, court orders, or reasonable notice with a two-day notice for typical entries, and prohibits harassment. It strengthens remedies for noncompliance by either side, including a landlord's ability to terminate for tenant breaches after a 14-day cure period and a tenant's ability to sue for damages and attorney fees for landlord noncompliance, while also addressing noncurable tenant defaults and abandonment and clarifying damages after termination.

Who It Affects
Tenants living in Alabama rental properties who gain protections against unenforceable lease clauses, clearer landlord access rules, and potential damages and attorney-fee remedies when the landlord breaches.
Landlords and property managers who must follow defined access rules, may pursue possession and damages after termination, and face new or clarified remedies when tenants breach or abandon a unit.

Key Provisions
Provision 1: Prohibited rental agreement provisions. A rental agreement may not require a tenant to waive rights under specified sections, confess judgment, pay the landlord's attorney's fees or costs, or indemnify the landlord for liability; if such provisions exist or are enforced, the tenant may recover up to one month’s rent plus reasonable attorney’s fees in addition to actual damages.
Provision 2: Landlord access, remedies, and abandonment rules. The bill outlines when a landlord may access the unit (emergencies, court orders, or with notice for repairs or showing), the notice requirements (generally two days, with exceptions), and the remedies related to noncompliance by either party, including termination procedures (14 days for landlord breach, 7 days for rent nonpayment or certain tenant breaches), noncurable defaults (like illegal drug use, firearm discharge, and certain assaults), abandonment rules, and post-termination damages.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 25, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.
Subjects: Landlord-Tenant