Facing Eviction in Alabama: What Can I Do?
Alabama law sets rules for the notice your landlord must give before an eviction case. This page walks through that notice, the court case, and what you can do if you lose or appeal. It does not cover being locked out or having your utilities (water, electric, gas) shut off without a court order first.
-
If you do not pay your rent on time, your landlord may send you a written notice. It must say how much rent and any late fees you owe. It must also give a date to end your lease that is at least 7 business days after you get the notice.
✓ Sources checked September 28, 2026
-
Your landlord can send you a notice to end your lease if you materially (seriously) break a rule in the lease. The same notice can be used if you cause a problem that materially harms health or safety. The notice must name what you did and give a date to end the lease that is at least 7 business days later. You can stop the lease from ending if you fix the problem before that date.
✓ Sources checked September 28, 2026
-
Some problems can never be fixed once your landlord gives notice. These include using, growing, bringing in, having, or giving someone illegal drugs at your rental home. They also include illegally having or firing a gun there, and criminally attacking a renter or guest there. For these problems, your landlord can send a written notice ending your lease in 7 days. You get no chance to fix the problem first, unless your landlord agrees. Using a gun, or using force to defend yourself or someone else, does not count as one of these problems.
✓ Sources checked September 28, 2026
-
You can only fix a problem and stop your lease from ending 2 times in any 12-month period. After that, your landlord does not have to let you fix a new problem, unless your landlord agrees in writing.
✓ Sources checked September 28, 2026
-
You can stop your lease from ending because of unpaid rent. Pay all the rent and late fees you owe before the deadline in your landlord's notice. If you pay in time, your lease does not end.
✓ Sources checked September 28, 2026
-
Eviction cases in Alabama go to district court or circuit court. The case is heard in the county where your rental home is. The court must handle eviction cases before other civil cases on its schedule.
✓ Sources checked September 28, 2026
-
The sheriff or a process server first tries to hand you the eviction papers in person. If they cannot find you, they can give the papers to another adult living in your home. If they make a reasonable effort but still find no one living there, they can post a copy on your door. They must then mail you a copy by first class mail that same day or by the next business day.
✓ Sources checked September 28, 2026
-
You have 7 days to send a written answer to the court and to your landlord. The clock starts the day you are served with the eviction papers, or the day they are posted on your door. If you send an answer, the court will mail you a notice with your trial date. If you do not answer, the court may enter a judgment (the court's final decision) against you without a trial.
✓ Sources checked September 29, 2026
-
If the court rules against you, your landlord can make you pay money for the actual harm you caused. Your landlord can collect the landlord's lawyer's fees from you, if the court finds them reasonable.
✓ Sources checked September 28, 2026
-
If you lose in district court, you or your landlord can appeal to circuit court. You must file the appeal within 7 days after the judgment (the court's decision) is entered.
✓ Sources checked September 28, 2026
-
Appealing an eviction judgment (the court's decision) does not stop you from being removed from your home. To stay in your home during the appeal, you must pay the circuit court clerk all the rent you owe so far. You must then keep paying your rent on time as it comes due until the appeal ends.
✓ Sources checked September 28, 2026
-
If the court rules for your landlord, your landlord can ask for a writ of possession (a court order letting the sheriff remove you). The court must wait 7 days after the judgment (the court's decision) before that order can take effect. This 7-day wait is called an automatic stay (a required pause).
✓ Sources checked September 28, 2026
-
If you go back into your home without a legal right to after being removed, the court can hold you in contempt. Contempt means the court can punish you for not following a court order. The sheriff can then be sent back as many times as needed to remove you again.
✓ Sources checked September 28, 2026
Is something on this page wrong or out of date? Tell us.