Alabama Eviction Notice for Unpaid Rent

What Alabama law says

• Section 35-9A-421(b): the tenant must fail to pay rent within 7 days after receipt of written notice.
• Section 35-9A-141 defines a day as a calendar day unless otherwise specified.
• Section 35-9A-144 says notice is presumed received when delivered in hand or three days after mailing with prepaid postage.
• Section 35-9A-144(d) says that general notice section does not apply to notices to terminate a tenancy or evict a tenant.

Steps for a landlord

• Prepare a written notice stating rent is unpaid and the lease will end if not paid.
• Deliver it in a documented way and record the date.
• Count 7 calendar days from the date the tenant received it.
• Check the statute on receipt rules before filing.

What to put in the notice

• The names of the tenants and the address of the rental
• The amount of rent owed and the rental period it covers
• The number of days the tenant has to pay or move out, and the date that period ends
• The date, how the notice was delivered, and who delivered it
• Your name and contact details, with your signature

Things to watch

• The text we read does not say what the notice must contain.
• The page we read does not settle how receipt is counted for eviction notices; check the statute or a local attorney.
• Cities and counties can add their own rules, including rent control and extra notice requirements. Check your local rules too.

About this page

We checked this page against the official sources listed below in November 2026. Where an official page did not say something, we say so. Laws change and courts read them differently, so confirm the current rule with the statute, the court or a local attorney before you act. This is general information, not legal advice.