Eviction Laws in Tuscaloosa, Alabama
Tuscaloosa is home to the University of Alabama and has one of the strongest student rental markets in the state. A large portion of the city’s rental housing serves the university population, with high demand in neighborhoods like The Strip, Downtown, and areas near campus. Tuscaloosa County District Court handles a steady flow of Unlawful Detainer actions, particularly around lease turnover periods tied to the academic calendar. Landlords renting to students should structure lease terms carefully and act quickly when violations occur to minimize lost income during peak demand periods.
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.
Tuscaloosa — Local Rules That Affect Landlords
Student Rental Market. A significant share of Tuscaloosa’s rental market serves University of Alabama students. Student tenants have the same rights and obligations as any other tenant under Alabama law. Lease terms should be clearly defined, especially around move-in/move-out dates tied to the academic calendar.
Co-Signers. Many student leases include a parent or guardian as co-signer. Co-signers may be liable for unpaid rent and damages depending on the lease terms. Name the tenant (not the co-signer) in the eviction complaint for possession.
No Local Rent Control. Alabama does not permit local rent control ordinances. Tuscaloosa landlords set market-rate rents without municipal caps.
Seasonal Demand. Tuscaloosa’s rental market is highly seasonal. Demand peaks in late summer (August) and drops after spring semester ends (May). Time your eviction filings with the academic cycle to minimize vacancy losses.
Tuscaloosa County District Court — Where Landlords File
Tuscaloosa landlords file Unlawful Detainer actions at Tuscaloosa County District Court, located at 714 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401, phone (205) 349-3870, 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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