Eviction Laws in Dothan, Alabama
Dothan is the largest city in southeast Alabama and serves as a regional hub for the Wiregrass area, bordering Georgia and Florida. The city’s rental market is significantly influenced by Fort Novosel (formerly Fort Rucker), a major U.S. Army aviation installation. Military families, civilian contractors, and healthcare workers from Southeast Health drive rental demand. Houston County District Court handles Unlawful Detainer filings for all Dothan properties. Landlords should be particularly aware of military tenant protections given the heavy military population.
Alabama landlords operate under the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (AURLTA), Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-101 through 35-9A-603. Nonpayment of rent requires a 7-business-day Notice to Pay or Quit. Curable lease violations require a 7-business-day Notice to Cure or Quit. Non-curable violations (illegal drugs, firearms offenses, application fraud, or repeat violations within 6 months) require a 7-day Unconditional Notice to Quit. Month-to-month tenancies without cause require a 30-day notice. No breach may be cured more than twice in any 12-month period without the landlord’s written consent. Self-help evictions are illegal in Alabama — landlords who change locks, shut off utilities, or remove belongings without a court order face damages of up to three months’ rent plus attorney’s fees.
Dothan — Local Rules That Affect Landlords
Military Tenants. Fort Novosel (formerly Fort Rucker) brings a large active-duty and civilian military population to the Dothan area. Landlords must verify whether a tenant is protected under the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA). Military tenants may also terminate leases early upon receiving permanent change of station (PCS) orders under the SCRA.
Tri-State Area. Dothan sits near the Alabama-Georgia-Florida border. Landlords with properties near the state line should confirm the property is within Alabama’s jurisdiction before filing in Alabama courts.
No Local Rent Control. Alabama does not permit local rent control ordinances. Dothan landlords set market-rate rents without municipal caps.
Houston County District Court — Where Landlords File
Dothan landlords file Unlawful Detainer actions at Houston County District Court, located at 462 N Oates St, Dothan, AL 36303, phone (334) 677-4848, open Monday-Friday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.. Pay the filing fee at the clerk’s window (~$200-$300 depending on service method and whether unpaid rent is also claimed). The court schedules a hearing after the tenant’s 7-day answer period. After a judgment in the landlord’s favor, a 7-day automatic stay applies before a Writ of Possession can issue. The tenant has 7 days to appeal to Circuit Court. After the stay period, the landlord requests a Writ of Possession — the sheriff schedules a lockout, typically 7-10 days after the writ issues. Self-help eviction is illegal in Alabama.
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