Alabama (AL) eviction guide
Quick answer
To evict a tenant in Alabama, a landlord must first serve a written notice, typically 7 days for nonpayment of rent or a lease violation. If the tenant does not comply, the landlord files an unlawful detainer action in District Court, and a hearing is usually scheduled within 7 to 14 days. From first notice to the sheriff enforcing a writ of possession, the full process typically takes 3 to 8 weeks.
| Legal grounds | Nonpayment of rent, lease violations, illegal activity, holdover after notice |
|---|---|
| Minimum notice | 7 days (nonpayment or lease violation) |
| Where to file | District Court (county where property is located) |
| Filing fee | $250 to $350 |
| Typical timeframe | 3 to 8 weeks |
Required for nonpayment of rent; tenant must pay all past-due rent or vacate within 7 judicial days (weekends and legal holidays excluded).
Used for fixable lease violations such as unauthorized pets or property damage; tenant has 7 days to correct the issue or leave.
Used when a violation cannot be remedied, such as illegal activity or a false rental application; tenant must vacate with no option to cure.
Required to end a month-to-month tenancy; either party must give 30 days written notice before the next rent due date.
| Step | Timeframe | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Serve Written Notice | 7 to 30 days | Deliver the correct notice type in writing; the clock starts the day after service, and judicial days (excluding weekends and holidays) apply to the 7-day notices. |
| 2. File Unlawful Detainer Complaint | 1 to 2 days | If the tenant does not comply, file an unlawful detainer action at the county District Court and pay the filing fee (typically $250 to $350). |
| 3. Court Serves Summons on Tenant | Within 6 days of filing | The court or sheriff serves the tenant with the summons and complaint, notifying them of the hearing date. |
| 4. Attend the Hearing | 7 to 14 days after filing | Both parties appear before the judge; if the landlord prevails, the court issues a Judgment of Possession the same day. |
| 5. Wait for Appeal Period | 7 days after judgment | The tenant has 7 calendar days to appeal the judgment to Circuit Court; the landlord cannot act until this window closes. |
| 6. Sheriff Enforces Writ of Possession | A few days after writ issued | The county sheriff serves the writ and physically removes the tenant and their belongings if they have not left voluntarily. |
Filing an unlawful detainer complaint in Alabama District Court costs about $250 to $350 on average, plus a sheriff service fee of roughly $25 to $75. A simple uncontested eviction rarely comes in under $500 to $700 once all fees are added; a contested case with an attorney can reach $1,000 to $2,500 or more, not counting lost rent during the process.
After the judge issues a Judgment of Possession and the 7-day appeal window closes, the landlord can request a writ of possession from the court. The county sheriff (or a lawfully appointed bailiff) then serves the writ and physically removes the tenant if they have not already left. Self-help eviction (changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities without a court order) is illegal in Alabama and exposes the landlord to liability.
General information, not legal advice. Governing statute: Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-421 to 35-9A-461 (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act); unlawful detainer action filed under Ala. Code § 6-6-310. Self-help eviction is illegal everywhere; always follow the court process.
Alabama eviction FAQ
Most Alabama evictions take **3 to 8 weeks** from start to finish. The notice period is 7 to 30 days, the court typically schedules a hearing 7 to 14 days after filing, and the tenant then has 7 days to appeal before the sheriff can enforce the writ. Contested cases or appeals to Circuit Court can stretch the timeline to several months.
Expect to spend at least **$500 to $700** for a straightforward eviction, including the court filing fee of about $250 to $350 plus sheriff service fees of $25 to $75. A contested eviction with an attorney can run **$1,000 to $2,500 or more**, and lost rent during the process is often the biggest hidden cost.
No. Alabama law requires a court judgment before a tenant can be removed. Self-help evictions, such as changing locks, removing doors, or cutting off utilities to force a tenant out, are **illegal** and can expose the landlord to a lawsuit for damages.
If the tenant ignores the notice, the landlord's next step is to file an unlawful detainer complaint in District Court. The court will schedule a hearing, and if the landlord wins, a writ of possession is issued and the **sheriff** carries out the physical removal.
Yes, in some situations. A tenant can pay all past-due rent before the 7-day notice expires to stop a nonpayment eviction. They can also raise defenses in court, such as improper notice, retaliation, discrimination, or habitability failures, or file an appeal within **7 days** of the judgment to pause enforcement.
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