Can I withhold rent or repair it myself in Alabama?

Alabama does not provide a repair-and-deduct remedy — paying for a repair and subtracting it from rent is not something the statute allows here, and doing it can put your tenancy at risk. Your remedies are terminate the rental agreement, and recover actual damages together with reasonable attorney fees and injunctive relief under § 35-9A-401(b).

Do I have to put a repair request in writing in Alabama?

Yes — and it is the single most important step. Under Ala. Code § 35-9A-401, the landlord's obligations and your remedies run from written notice. A text message or a phone call generally leaves you arguing about whether and when your landlord was told.

Alabama landlord repair laws

What your landlord is required to fix, how long they have once you put it in writing, and what Alabamalaw lets you do if they don't.

The deadline

14 days after written notice

Under Ala. Code § 35-9A-401(a), the rental agreement terminates on a date not less than fourteen days after your receipt of this notice if the breach is not remedied.

Ala. Code § 35-9A-204 · Ala. Code § 35-9A-401

What your landlord must maintain

Under Ala. Code § 35-9A-204, a landlord must comply with applicable building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety, make all repairs necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition, maintain electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating and air-conditioning facilities, and supply running water, reasonable hot water and reasonable heat.

Conditions the statute covers

✓No working heat
✓No running water
✓No hot water
✓Electrical system not working or unsafe
✓Plumbing not in working order
✓Sewage backup or unsanitary conditions
✓Air conditioning not working (where supplied)
✓Supplied appliances not working — stove, refrigerator
✓Unsafe floors, stairs, railings, ceiling, or roof
✓Roof, window, or plumbing leak causing damage
✓Mold growth
✓Rodent or insect infestation
✓Common areas unsafe or unsanitary
✓No garbage receptacles or removal
✓Broken exterior door, window, or lock
✓Building or housing code violation

What you can do about it

Once written notice has been given and the statutory period has passed, you may terminate the rental agreement, and recover actual damages together with reasonable attorney fees and injunctive relief under § 35-9A-401(b).

Alabama has no repair-and-deduct remedy. Paying for a repair and subtracting the cost from your rent is not authorized here, and doing it anyway can put your tenancy at risk. Use the remedies the statute actually provides.

Retaliation is illegal

Ala. Code § 35-9A-501 prohibits retaliatory conduct, with the remedies of § 35-9A-407 and a defense to an action for possession.

Limits and exceptions

Alabama deliberately omitted repair-and-deduct — § 35-9A-403 is reserved — so this letter does not claim that remedy. Under § 35-9A-204(c) the landlord and tenant of a single-family residence may agree in writing that the tenant perform the garbage-receptacle and water, hot water and heat duties, and under § 35-9A-404(a) the landlord is not responsible for paying for utility services unless the lease so provides.

Put it in writing — the way the statute expects

We'll write your notice citing Ala. Code § 35-9A-204, the deadline it gives your landlord, and what happens if they miss it. Free to generate and download. If you want it sent USPS Certified Mail with tracking, we do that too.

Write my Alabama repair notice

Common questions

How long does a landlord have to make repairs in Alabama?: Under Ala. Code § 35-9A-401(a), the rental agreement terminates on a date not less than fourteen days after your receipt of this notice if the breach is not remedied. That clock starts when your landlord receives written notice — which is why how you send it matters.
Can I withhold rent or repair it myself in Alabama?: Alabama does not provide a repair-and-deduct remedy — paying for a repair and subtracting it from rent is not something the statute allows here, and doing it can put your tenancy at risk. Your remedies are terminate the rental agreement, and recover actual damages together with reasonable attorney fees and injunctive relief under § 35-9A-401(b).
Can my landlord retaliate if I ask for repairs in Alabama?: Ala. Code § 35-9A-501 prohibits retaliatory conduct, with the remedies of § 35-9A-407 and a defense to an action for possession.
Do I have to put a repair request in writing in Alabama?: Yes — and it is the single most important step. Under Ala. Code § 35-9A-401, the landlord's obligations and your remedies run from written notice. A text message or a phone call generally leaves you arguing about whether and when your landlord was told.

Moving out of this Alabama rental?

Alabama gives your landlord 60 days to return your security deposit under Ala. Code § 35-9A-201. See the deposit rules →

Verified against Alabama's published statute text on August 11, 2026 — read the statute yourself. General information, not legal advice. We are not a law firm.