Alabama Month-to-Month Lease Agreement

Last Updated: May 7, 2025 by Roberto Valenzuela

An Alabama month-to-month rental agreement is a contract (not necessarily in writing) for a tenant to rent property from a landlord, one month at a time, in exchange for a fee (“rent”). The agreement renews monthly, until either party gives proper notice to end it.

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For information about Alabama fixed-term leases (rentals for one year or more), click here.

Basics of an Alabama Month-to-Month Rental Agreement

In Alabama, a landlord and tenant create a month-to-month lease by agreeing to rent a property according to acceptable terms. Written agreements are clearer and more reliable in case of disagreement, but month-to-month oral (unwritten) leases are legal.

Parties under a month-to-month lease have full rights under Alabama landlord-tenant law. The tenant must use the property in a responsible way and pay rent on time. The landlord must ensure the tenant’s quiet enjoyment of the property. This includes keeping critical features of the property in good working condition.

The main difference between a month-to-month lease and a fixed-term lease is that month-to-month leases can be terminated (with proper notice) by either party, for any reason, without penalty. Landlords also can usually modify terms from one month to the next, again with proper notice.

Required Disclosures for Month-to-Month Rentals in Alabama

Alabama landlords may not rent a property out without making the following disclosures to a potential tenant, as applicable:

  • Landlord’s Name and Address – Landlords must give the tenant their name and address, or that of their authorized agent. This allows required communication (for example, about repairs) to happen in a smooth way.
  • Lead-Based Paint – Landlords must provide an EPA-approved disclosure and informational pamphlet to tenants renting any property built before 1978.

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The state page for fixed-term leases may have more detailed information on required disclosures.

Required Notice To End a Month-to-Month Rental in Alabama

Alabama lets either a landlord or tenant terminate a month-to-month lease on at least 30 days of advance notice. In general, it’s valid to end a month-to-month lease for any reason that isn’t landlord retaliation.

Alabama requires written notice to end month-to-month leases. Notice in most cases has to be either hand-delivered or mailed to the other party’s address of record (sometimes with prepaid postage).

Required Notice To Raise the Rent on an Alabama Month-to-Month Lease

Alabama requires written advance notice for a rental increase, but doesn’t specify a particular timeframe for that notice. This means in most cases it’s reasonable for a landlord to keep the same standard notice provided for termination or other major lease changes. In Alabama, this is 30 days.

Eviction in Alabama Month-to-Month Rentals

Alabama tenants may get evicted if they violate lease terms or stay on the property after the notice period allowed by a valid termination. Evictions in Alabama typically take up to a month.

For more information on the eviction process in Alabama, click here.

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