Ala. Code §§ 24-8-1 to 24-8-15 § 24-8-14
Civil Action; Sale, Encumbrance, Etc. Consummated Before Issuance of Order; Relief and Award.
Operative Text
(a) A civil action must be commenced within one year after the alleged discriminatory housing practice has occurred. However, the court shall continue a civil case brought pursuant to this section, from time to time, before bringing it to trial if the court believes that the conciliation efforts of the office or local agency are likely to result in satisfactory settlement of the discriminatory housing practice complained of in the complaint made to the office or to the local agency and which practice forms the basis for the action in court. Any sale, encumbrance, or rental consummated before the issuance of any court order issued under the authority of this chapter and involving a bona fide purchaser, encumbrances, or tenant without actual notice of the existence of the filing of a complaint or civil action under the provisions of this chapter are not affected. A civil action may be commenced by an aggrieved person whether or not a complaint has been filed with the office. (b) The court may grant as relief, as it considers appropriate, any permanent or temporary injunction, temporary restraining order, or other order and may award the plaintiff actual damages, and punitive damages, together with court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees in the case of a prevailing party, if the prevailing party in the opinion of the court is not financially able to assume the attorney’s fees.
Under Alabama Code § 24-8-14, a person who believes they have experienced discriminatory housing practices has one year from the date of the alleged discrimination to file a civil lawsuit. Courts handling these cases may pause proceedings if ongoing conciliation efforts through a relevant office or local agency appear likely to produce a satisfactory resolution. If a sale, encumbrance, or rental was completed before any court order was issued, and the other party had no actual notice of a complaint or lawsuit, that transaction is generally left undisturbed. A court that finds in favor of the aggrieved party may award actual damages, punitive damages, injunctive relief, court costs, and attorney's fees when the prevailing party cannot financially bear those legal costs.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Alabama Code § 24-8-14 establishes that housing providers can face civil liability for discriminatory practices, with courts empowered to issue injunctions and award damages including punitive damages. Operators who become aware of a filed complaint or civil action should take note that any subsequent transactions—sales, encumbrances, or rentals—completed with actual knowledge of that complaint may not receive the protection afforded to bona fide parties without notice. Compliant housing operators generally maintain documented, consistent, and non-discriminatory policies across all aspects of housing transactions to reduce exposure under this chapter.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Alabama Code § 24-8-14 gives aggrieved individuals the right to bring a civil lawsuit over alleged discriminatory housing practices within one year of the incident, and this right exists regardless of whether a complaint was previously filed with a relevant office or local agency. If conciliation efforts are underway through an agency, a court may pause the civil case to allow those efforts to proceed, which represents one potential path toward resolution. Tenants who believe their rights under this chapter have been violated may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider to understand the range of available remedies, which can include injunctions, actual damages, punitive damages, and potentially attorney's fees.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 16, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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