What Alabama requires
- A tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent for the landlord to enter to inspect, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or show the unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workmen or contractorsCode of Ala. s. 35-9A-303 (a)
- Without consent the landlord may enter only in an emergency, by court order, as sections 35-9A-422 and 35-9A-423 (b) allow, to show the unit with notice under a signed general notice within four months of the agreement's end (and only with the prospective tenant or buyer), or with reasonable cause to believe the unit is abandoned or surrenderedCode of Ala. s. 35-9A-303 (b)
- The landlord may not abuse access or use it to harass the tenant, gives at least two days' notice of the intent to enter, and enters only at reasonable times; a note on the tenant's primary entry door stating the intended time and purpose is a permitted method of noticeCode of Ala. s. 35-9A-303 (c)
- A general notice or advance schedule given separately from the lease more than two days ahead, for repairs, maintenance, pest control or health and safety service, needs no further notice; the tenant may agree to less than two days' noticeCode of Ala. s. 35-9A-303 (d)
- A tenant who requests repairs, maintenance or improvements is deemed to consent to entry to do the requested workCode of Ala. s. 35-9A-303 (e)
- If the tenant refuses lawful access, the landlord may seek an injunction or terminate and recover actual damages; for an unlawful entry, an unreasonable entry or excessive harassing demands, the tenant may seek an injunction or terminate and recover actual damagesCode of Ala. s. 35-9A-442
Two days, and a note on the door counts
Give at least two days' notice of your intent to enter and come at a reasonable time. A note on the primary entry door stating the intended time and purpose is a permitted way to give it. The tenant may agree to shorter notice.
Schedules and repair requests
A general notice or advance schedule given separately from the lease, more than two days ahead, for repairs, maintenance, pest control or health and safety service needs no further notice. A tenant who asks for repairs is treated as consenting to entry for that work.
Entry without consent, and remedies
Without consent, entry is limited to emergencies, court orders, the Act's listed remedies, showings near the end of the lease under a signed general notice, and units believed abandoned. Either side can seek an injunction, end the agreement and recover actual damages when access is abused or refused.
Common mistakes
- Showing the unit without the prospective tenant or buyer present.
- A pest control schedule buried in the lease instead of given separately.
- Entering a day after posting the door note: Alabama asks for two days.
Sources
- Code of Ala. s. 35-9A-303 (a), checked October 26, 2026
- Code of Ala. s. 35-9A-303 (b), checked October 26, 2026
- Code of Ala. s. 35-9A-303 (c), checked October 26, 2026
- Code of Ala. s. 35-9A-303 (d), checked October 26, 2026
- Code of Ala. s. 35-9A-303 (e), checked October 26, 2026
- Code of Ala. s. 35-9A-442, checked October 26, 2026
Last reviewed October 26, 2026. Next review due January 26, 2027. This page explains published rules to help you write your report. It is not legal advice; the official text linked above governs.