Free Alabama Residential Lease Agreement Form

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Table of Contents:

What is an Alabama Residential Lease Agreement
Types of Alabama Lease Agreements
Disclosures for Alabama Lease Agreements
Alabama Lease Agreement Law
Alabama Residential Lease Agreement Sample
Related Documents
FAQs About Alabama Lease Agreement

What is an Alabama Residential Lease Agreement

An Alabama lease agreement is used to establish the terms and conditions that a landlord and tenant must follow in regard to a rental property. It is written in a way that complies with the laws of the state in which the property is located.

Lease agreements are similar to rental agreements, as they are both legally binding contracts that define the terms of use and payment plans for a property. However, a lease agreement typically covers long-term leases while a rental agreement deals with short-term tenancies.

The following information should be included in an Alabama lease agreement.

Period of time in which the tenant can occupy the property
Amount of rent that should be paid
Details about security deposits
Frequency of rental payments
Information about additional costs
Usage terms of the property
Eviction terms and procedures

Types of Alabama Lease Agreements

Before starting an Alabama lease agreement, it is important to know which type to create. There are many distinct varieties of these legal instruments, and each deals with a different type of rental situation.

The most common types of lease agreements in Alabama include:

Type of Lease Agreement	Description
Standard	Fixed set of terms that both the landlord and tenant commit to for a series of months or years.
Rent-to-own	Rent-to-own options allow the possibility for tenants to purchase the property they are renting.
Month-to-month	Similar basic terms to standard lease agreements, but they can be renewed or ended each month.
Commercial	Utilized by tenants that intend to use a piece of real estate to run a business
Room rental	For rental properties that are located within shared living areas.
Condo or mixed unit	Used by landlords of properties that have multiple rental units, such as duplexes or cooperatives.
Sublease	Permits tenants to assign or “sublease” the property to another person.

Disclosures for Alabama Lease Agreements

Alabama lease agreements must contain a few disclosures and addendums when they are completed and signed. This is to properly inform the tenant of any health risks or potential issues with the property, or details about how the property is managed that they must be aware of.

These essential addendums include the following:

Agent/owner identification: The lease agreement must include a section or an addendum that discloses the contact information of the landlord or a chosen agent who will act on their behalf (§ 35-9A-202).
Lead paint disclosure: If the rental unit is in a building constructed before 1978, the landlord or their agent must disclose whether lead paint can be found on the property and must provide safety information for any located on the premises.

Alabama Lease Agreement Law

An Alabama lease agreement must be written and signed within the laws of Alabama state, otherwise, it will be legally contestable and can be declared invalid and block either party from recourse if a violation is committed. These will police how you start and end the contract and control what procedures you can reasonably ask a tenant to follow.

The most important laws to consider when you are renting a property in Alabama include:

Security deposits: Alabama landlords may charge no more than 1 months’ rent (§ 35-9A-201(a)). This must be returned to the tenant within 60 days of vacating the property and returning the keys. Landlords must also give advance notice of any deductions (§ 35-9A-201(b)).
Landlord’s right to enter: Landlords can enter the rental property by giving 48 hours’ advance notice; a written notice is recommended (§ 35-9A-303).

Alabama Residential Lease Agreement Sample

Looking over a completed Alabama lease agreement sample is a good place to start when you’re planning to create your own document. Use our template example below to understand the information that goes into this form and to learn more about what your document can do.

Alabama Residential Lease Agreement Template

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FAQs About Alabama Lease Agreement

It is important to carefully prepare an Alabama lease agreement to suit the needs of the landlord and tenant exactly. To help demystify the process a little, simply review our FAQs below to learn more about the specificities of rental contracts in Alabama.

Can I Write My Own Lease Agreement in Alabama?

It is possible to create an Alabama lease agreement completely online. Using our residential lease agreement maker, you can tailor your document for your specific needs and take advantage of professional templates and expert tips.

Can a Landlord Change an AL Lease?

Usually, an Alabama lease agreement cannot be changed once it is signed. Its terms will remain fixed until it reaches its agreed expiration date or it is terminated due to a violation by either party.

With a rental agreement or month-by-month tenancy, however, the terms of the agreement can potentially be changed each rental period. This means the landlord can amend or end the terms of the contract at the end of a 30-day rental period.

Do I Need to Notarize my Alabama Residential Lease Agreement?

It is not necessary to notarize an Alabama residential lease agreement. However, whilst this might not be a legal requirement in Alabama state, signees are still advised to consider this step to provide further legal enforceability.

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ALABAMA RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT

This Lease Agreement (hereinafter, the "Lease Agreement") is dated as of _________ (hereinafter, the "Effective Date") and is entered into by and between _________ (hereinafter, the "Landlord") and the following resident(s):

_________
(hereinafter, the "Tenant(s)").

The Landlord and the Tenant(s) agree as follows:

1. PROPERTY

The Landlord rents to the Tenant(s) and the Tenant(s) rents from the Landlord the house described below, according to the terms and conditions described in this Lease Agreement:

A house located at _________, _________, Alabama, _________ (hereinafter, the "Property").

Unless otherwise indicated in the Lease Agreement, no other portion of the building (hereinafter, the “Building”) wherein the Property is located is included in the Lease.

2. OCCUPANTS

During the Term of this Lease Agreement, the only individuals the Tenant(s) may permit to reside on the Property are the following:

_________

The Tenant(s) may not allow any guest to stay on the Property longer than _________ consecutive days or _________ days in a calendar year. The Tenant(s)'s guests shall not be considered original occupants of the Property under any circumstances.

The amount of time the Tenant(s)'s guests may stay on the Property may never be longer than the time permitted by any owners' association rule or restrictive covenant or _________ consecutive days or _________ days in a calendar year, without Landlord's written permission, whichever is less.

3. TERM

The term of the Lease Agreement begins on _________ (hereinafter, the "Commencement Date"), and shall continue from that date as a month-to-month tenancy. Either party may terminate the tenancy by giving the other party written notice as provided by law.

Upon the Termination Date, the Tenant(s) shall be required to vacate the Property unless one of the following circumstances occur: (i) The Landlord and the Tenant(s) formally extend this Lease Agreement in writing or create, execute, and sign a new one; (ii) Mandated by local rent control law; or (iii) The Landlord willingly accepts new rent from the Tenant(s), which does not constitute past due rent. In this case, a month-to-month tenancy shall be created, which the Tenant(s) may terminate by giving written notice as provided by law. All other terms and conditions of this Agreement will remain in full force and effect.

4. MANAGEMENT

The Tenant(s) is hereby notified that the owner or Landlord _________ is the Property Manager in charge of repairs or maintenance of the Property.

If the Tenant(s) has any complaint regarding any issue about the Property, _________ shall be contacted by one of the following methods:

Address: _________
Telephone: _________
Email: _________

5. RENT

The Tenant(s) shall pay the Landlord monthly rent in the amount of $_________ (hereinafter, the "Rent") for each full month during this lease. The full month's rent is due and payable not later than the 1st of each month lease period.

Please Take Notice that mail delays will not excuse the Tenant(s)'s obligation to pay the rent in a timely manner.

Place of Payment:

The Tenant(s) shall remit all Rent payment amounts owed to the Landlord under this Lease Agreement to the following address:

_________

The Landlord may later change the person and place to which the Tenant(s) must remit the rental amounts due under this Lease Agreement.

Method of Payment:

The Tenant(s) shall pay all Rent by selecting any of the following forms of payment (select one or more):

In the event that the Landlord agrees that the Tenant(s) shall have the right to sub-let the Property or any part thereof, or in the event that the Property is leased under any form of multiple or joint tenancy, the Tenant(s) shall be responsible for collecting the lease payment from the sublessee(s) or joint lessee and submitting it to the Landlord in a single and complete payment.

Moreover, the Tenant(s) shall be responsible for any lease payment not received by the Landlord by the due date stated in the present Lease Agreement. All partial payments made for an incomplete monthly period shall be pro-rated at the rate of 1/30th of the monthly lease payment per day. No pro-rated Rent shall be accepted at any other time.

Lastly, the Landlord shall have the option to accept or reject payments made by third parties, but such acceptance or rejection of payment shall not imply a future obligation to accept or reject payments submitted by third parties.

6. ABSENCES

the Tenant(s) shall notify the Landlord of any anticipated extended absence from the Property in excess of 14 days no later than the fifth day of the extended absence.

In accordance with the Uniform Residential Landlord And Tenant Act, §35-9A-423, if the Tenant(s) willfully fails to do so, the Landlord may recover actual damages from the tenant.

During any absence of a Tenant(s) in excess of 14 days, the Landlord may enter the Property at times reasonably necessary.
Additionally, If a Tenant(s) leaves property in the unit more than 14 days after termination pursuant to this clause, the Landlord has no duty to store or protect the Tenant(s)'s property in the unit and may dispose of it without obligation.

7. PETS / STRAYS

No animal or pet shall be kept, permanently or temporarily, on or about the Property, even temporarily or with a visiting guest, without Landlord's prior written consent. As provided by law, a Service Animal(s) is not considered a pet, and every individual with a disability shall have a right to have a Service Animal(s) on the Property.

Any animal discovered on or around the property will be considered a stray. Strays shall not be kept or fed in or about the Property. All strays will be reported to the proper authorities and removed at the Tenant(s)'s expense.

8. SMOKING

Smoking is not allowed in or on any area of the Property, including individual units and common areas, both indoors and outdoors. This policy applies to all owners, tenants, or guests.

If the Tenant(s) contravenes this provision by smoking tobacco or allowing guests to smoke in any place on the property, then such Tenant(s) shall be held liable for any damages caused to the Property. Moreover, the violation of this provision shall be considered a just cause for the eviction of the Tenant(s) by the Landlord.

9. MAINTENANCE

The Landlord shall maintain the Property at all times and perform all repairs reasonably necessary. The primary duty of the Landlord shall be to meet the implied warranty of habitability of the Property, that is, that the Property is in a safe, livable condition.

Additionally, during the Term of this Lease Agreement and any renewal thereof, Tenant(s) shall:

(1) Keep the Property clean and safe, use all electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning facilities and appliances in a reasonable manner.

(2) Repair any damage arising from the act or negligence of Tenant, Occupants, or guests, agents, visitors, and invitees, at tenant's expense.

(3) Surrender the Property in as good order and condition as when received, reasonable wear and tear excepted, upon the termination of this Lease Agreement.

(4) Immediately notify the Landlord, in writing, of any problem, malfunction or damage; otherwise, the Tenant(s) will be liable for the costs of any such damage, which might have been avoided had the Tenant promptly notified the Landlord of the defect.

10. UTILITIES AND SERVICES

The Tenant(s) shall be solely responsible for and shall pay expenses for all utilities and services used or consumed at the Property.

11. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

The Tenant(s) shall not keep or have on the Property any article or item of a dangerous, flammable, or explosive material on the Property that might unreasonably increase the danger of fire or explosion on the Property or that might be considered hazardous or extra hazardous by any responsible insurance company.

12. LANDLORD ACCESS TO PROPERTY

The Landlord and the Landlord's agents shall have the right at all reasonable times, and by all reasonable means during the term of this Lease Agreement and any renewal thereof, to enter the Property for the following purposes:

(i) Survey the Property's condition and take photographs to document the condition.
(ii) Make repairs or improvements to the Property.
(iii) Supply agreed services.
(iv) Show the Property to prospective buyers or tenants.
(v) Exercise a contractual or statutory lien.
(vi) Leave a written notice.
(vii) Seize nonexempt property if the Tenant(s) is in default.

Except in case of emergency, the Landlord will give the Tenant(s) reasonable notice of intent to enter. For these purposes, forty-eight (48) hour written notice will be deemed reasonable.

13. ASSIGNMENT / SUBLETTING

The Tenant(s) acknowledges that this Lease Agreement is not transferable and that the Tenant(s) may not assign or sublet this Lease Agreement, grant any license to use the Property or any interest in the Property or any part thereof, nor mortgage or pledge this Lease Agreement.

The Tenant(s) shall not contravene this provision, unless the Landlord expressly waivers this prohibition in writing, the consent of which the Landlord may, in any case, withhold in its sole and absolute discretion.

14. NOTICES

Notice required by statute will be given in accordance with the applicable statute. All other notices shall be deemed sufficient if made as follows:

- All notices to the Landlord shall be directed by personal delivery or first-class mail to the Landlord at the appropriate address set forth below, until Tenant is notified, in writing, to the contrary.

- All notices to Tenant shall be directed by personal delivery or first-class mail to Tenant at the Leased Property or any forwarding address provided in writing by Tenant to the Landlord.

Landlord:

_________
_________.

15. VENUE AND GOVERNING LAW

The exclusive venue is in the county where the Property is located. This Lease Agreement shall be governed, construed, and interpreted by the Laws of the State of Alabama.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Landlord and Tenant have executed this Agreement in the manner prescribed by law as of the Effective Date.

Landlord:

By: ___________________________ Date: __________________
_________

Tenant:

By: ___________________________ Date: __________________
_________

ALABAMA LEASE AGREEMENT
INSPECTION CHECKLIST

Address: _________, _________, Alabama _________

The Tenant(s) has inspected the Property and states that the Property is in satisfactory condition, free of defects, except as noted below:

	SATISFACTORY	COMMENTS
Bathrooms	_________	_________________________
Carpeting	_________	_________________________
Ceilings	_________	_________________________
Closets	_________	_________________________
Countertops	_________	_________________________
Dishwasher	_________	_________________________
Disposal	_________	_________________________
Doors	_________	_________________________
Fireplace	_________	_________________________
Lights	_________	_________________________
Locks	_________	_________________________
Refrigerator	_________	_________________________
Screens	_________	_________________________
Stove	_________	_________________________
Walls	_________	_________________________
Windows	_________	_________________________
Window coverings	_________	_________________________
_________	_________	_________________________
_________	_________	_________________________

_____________________

Date