Ala. Code §§ 24-8-1 to 24-8-15 § 24-8-4
Unlawful Discriminatory Housing Practices.
Operative Text
It shall be unlawful: (1) To refuse to sell or rent after the making of a bona fide offer, to refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of, or otherwise to make unavailable or deny a dwelling to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin; (2) To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection with it, because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin; (3) To make, print or publish, or cause to be made, printed, or published, any notice, statement, or advertisement with respect to the sale or rental of a dwelling that indicates any preference, limitation, or discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin or an intention to make the preference, limitation, or discrimination; (4) To represent to any person because of race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin that any dwelling is not available to inspection, sale or rental when the dwelling is available; (5) For profit, to induce or attempt to induce any person to sell or rent any dwelling by representations regarding the entry or prospective entry into the neighborhood of a person or persons of a particular race, color, religion, sex, handicap, familial status, or national origin; (6) To discriminate in the sale or rental, or to otherwise make unavailable or deny, a dwelling to any buyer or renter because of a handicap of: a. That buyer or renter; b. A person residing in or intending to reside in that dwelling after it is sold, rented, or made available; or c. Any person associated with that buyer or renter; (7) To discriminate against a person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection with the dwelling, because of a handicap of: a. That person; b. A person residing in or intending to reside in that dwelling after it is sold, rented, or made available; or c. Any person associated with that person.
Alabama Code §§ 24-8-1 to 24-8-15, § 24-8-4 establishes a broad set of unlawful discriminatory housing practices in the state. The provision prohibits refusing to sell or rent, applying different terms or conditions, publishing discriminatory advertisements, misrepresenting availability, and engaging in blockbusting—all on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, or handicap. Protections extend not only to the direct buyer or renter but also to people associated with them or intending to reside in the dwelling.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ala. Code § 24-8-4, compliant housing operators apply consistent criteria when evaluating offers, setting lease terms, and communicating availability—regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, familial status, national origin, or handicap. Operators also review all advertising and listing language to ensure it contains no stated or implied preference or limitation based on any protected characteristic. Policies covering guests, associated persons, and prospective residents are generally kept uniform to reflect the provision's broad scope.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ala. Code § 24-8-4 gives renters and prospective renters the right to be free from discriminatory refusals, unequal lease terms, false statements about availability, and discriminatory advertising based on protected characteristics including handicap and familial status. These protections extend to people associated with a tenant or intending to live in the unit. Individuals who believe a violation has occurred may consider filing a complaint with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, contacting a local fair housing organization, or consulting a tenant-rights resource to understand available enforcement paths.
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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation