Eviction notices in Alabama

If rent is unpaid when due, the landlord may deliver a written notice to terminate the lease that states the amount of rent and any late fees owed and that the lease will end on a date not less than 7 business days after the tenant receives the notice. If the tenant pays within the 7 business days, the lease does not end. A tenant cannot cure the same kind of breach more than two times in any 12-month period unless the landlord agrees in writing (Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(b), (d)).

Can the tenant pay to stop it? The tenant can stop the termination by paying the rent and late fees stated in the notice within the 7 business days.

Type:

Pay or move out

Notice period:

7 business days

Days not counted:

Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (the statute says 'business days' without defining them; Legal Services Alabama explains this as not counting Saturdays, Sundays and state holidays)

Law:

Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(b)

For a material noncompliance with the lease or a health-and-safety violation, the landlord may deliver a written notice to terminate stating the breach and that the lease ends on a date not less than 7 business days after receipt. If the tenant remedies the breach before that date, the lease does not end (Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(a)).

Chance to fix it: For a material lease violation (or a health-and-safety violation), the tenant has 7 business days after receiving the notice to fix it. An intentional misrepresentation of a material fact in the lease or application cannot be cured.

Type:

Fix it or move out

Notice period:

7 business days

Days not counted:

Saturdays, Sundays and holidays (statute says 'business days' without defining them)

Law:

Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(a)

For these defaults the landlord may terminate the lease on a 7-day notice and the tenant has no right to cure unless the landlord agrees (Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(d)). The statute says 'seven-day notice' here, and the chapter defines 'day' as a calendar day (Ala. Code § 35-9A-141(3)).

When it applies: Noncurable defaults: illegal drugs in the unit or common areas; illegal use or discharge of a firearm on the property; criminal assault of a tenant or guest on the property; a repeat of substantially the same breach within 6 months after a cured notice; and any breach after the tenant has already cured twice in 12 months (unless the landlord consents).

Notice period:

7 days

Law:

Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(d)

In the landlord-tenant act 'day' means a calendar day (not Rule 6 of the Alabama Rules of Civil Procedure), but if a period ends on a weekend or official holiday, the last day becomes the next business day when the court is open (Ala. Code § 35-9A-141(3)). The nonpayment and cure notices are expressly 'seven business days after receipt of the notice' (§ 35-9A-421(a)-(b)). Alabama's general rule excludes the first day and includes the last (Ala. Code § 1-1-4). The act's general rule that mail is received 3 days after mailing does NOT apply to notices that terminate a tenancy (§ 35-9A-144(e)).

The notice must be written and delivered to the tenant (Ala. Code § 35-9A-421). The act's general notice rules do not apply to termination notices (§ 35-9A-144(e)), and the statute does not spell out a delivery method for the 7-day notice. The court papers (not the notice) must be served personally, or on a resident who is sui juris, or by posting on the door plus first-class mail (Ala. Code § 35-9A-461(c); § 6-6-332(b)).

If the tenant does not pay or fix the problem in time, the landlord files an eviction (unlawful detainer) case in district court; the court papers must be served at least 6 days before the return day (Ala. Code § 6-6-332(b)). Legal Services Alabama says the tenant has only 7 calendar days to file a written answer after being served. After judgment, the writ of possession is automatically stayed for 7 days and either side may appeal to circuit court within 7 days (Ala. Code § 35-9A-461(d)-(e)). A landlord who locks out or removes a tenant, or cuts off heat, water, electricity or gas, owes the tenant up to 3 months' rent or actual damages plus attorney's fees (Ala. Code § 35-9A-407); Legal Services Alabama notes a sheriff's deputy must be present when belongings are removed.

• The 7-day nonpayment notice must list the rent and any late fees owed (Ala. Code § 35-9A-421(b)).
• If both nonpayment and another violation apply, the 7-day nonpayment notice period governs (§ 35-9A-421(b)).

• Alabama notice to end a month-to-month tenancy (no-cause notice by tenant or landlord)
• Alabama security deposit law: deadlines after move-out
• Federal 30-day notice for covered properties (CARES Act)

• Ala. Code § 35-9A-421 Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• Ala. Code § 35-9A-141 (definitions; 'day') Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• Ala. Code § 35-9A-144 (notice) Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• Ala. Code § 35-9A-461 (eviction action) Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• Ala. Code § 35-9A-407 (unlawful ouster) Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• Ala. Code § 6-6-332 (service of process) Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• Ala. Code § 1-1-4 (computation of time) Retrieved October 13, 2026.
• Legal Services Alabama - Your Home (eviction papers) Retrieved October 13, 2026.

Laws change. This page was checked against the sources above on October 13, 2026. It is legal information, not legal advice; if you have an eviction case, contact your state's legal aid. See our methodology.