Alabama Landlord Entry Notice Law
Alabama landlords must give at least 48 hours' notice before entering a rented home.
Last verified: · Researched and cited by MakeLease · not yet attorney-reviewed
Alabama landlord entry notice rules at a glance
| Notice before entry | 48 hours' noticeAla. Code § 35-9A-303 |
|---|---|
| Conditions | At least two days' notice of intent to enter (a note posted on the main entry door counts), entry only at reasonable times; no notice in an emergency, by court order, on reasonable belief of abandonment, for repairs the tenant requested, or under a separate advance schedule of more than two daysAla. Code § 35-9A-303 |
What Alabama law says
How much notice must an Alabama landlord give before entering a rental?
Alabama landlords need to give at least two days' notice, which may be a note posted on the tenant's main door, and come only at reasonable times unless there is an emergency or the tenant asked for the repair (Ala. Code § 35-9A-303(c)-(e)).
How Alabama compares
7 other verified jurisdictions use 48 hours; 1 requires more.
None of Alabama's 4 neighbors follows the same rule.
| Notice before entry | States |
|---|---|
| 48 hours | Alabama |
| 24 hours | Florida |
| No statewide rule | Georgia, Mississippi |
| No fixed number of hours | Tennessee |
Other Alabama rules
| Security deposit limit | 1 month's rent (with exceptions)Ala. Code § 35-9A-201(a) |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | 60 days after move-outAla. Code § 35-9A-201(b)-(f), Ala. Code § 35-9A-141(3) ("day" = calendar day; deadline falling on weekend/holiday rolls to next business day) |
| Late-fee cap | No state capAla. Code § 35-9A-161 (rental agreement terms), Ala. Code § 35-9A-143 (unconscionability), Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(b) (nonpayment notice may include 'any late fees owed'; no limit stated) |
| Rent-increase notice | No state ruleAla. Code § 35-9A-161 (rent set by agreement), Ala. Code § 35-9A-441(b) |
| Month-to-month termination | 30 days (either side)Ala. Code § 35-9A-441(a)-(b) |