Ala. Code §§ 35-12A-1 to 35-12A-15 § 35-12A-1
Definitions.
Operative Text
As used in this chapter, the following terms shall have the following meanings: (1) ABANDONED MANUFACTURED DWELLING. A manufactured dwelling that satisfies either of the following circumstances: a. A tenant is absent from the premises of the manufactured dwelling following expiration of 30 days after default, termination, or expiration of the lease agreement. b. A tenant is absent from the premises of the manufactured dwelling continuously for 30 days after service of a court order requiring the tenant to vacate the premises due to failure of the tenant to perform obligations of the lease. (2) MANUFACTURED DWELLING COMMUNITY OWNER. Any individual or business entity that, for consideration, allows another individual to place a residential trailer, mobile home, or manufactured dwelling on land owned or leased by that individual or business entity. (3) MANUFACTURED DWELLING. A residential trailer, mobile home, or manufactured home. (4) RENTAL FEE. The actual rent charged to the tenant including utilities, maintenance charges, and any other fee charged incidental to the rent as provided for by the agreement between the manufactured dwelling community owner and tenant. (5) TENANT. An individual or business entity that enters into a rental agreement with a manufactured dwelling community owner for placement of a manufactured home on the property of the manufactured dwelling community owner and that leases or owns the manufactured home.
Alabama Code §§ 35-12A-1 to 35-12A-15 establishes the foundational vocabulary for the state's manufactured dwelling community law. It defines key terms such as 'abandoned manufactured dwelling,' 'manufactured dwelling community owner,' 'tenant,' and 'rental fee,' which govern how rights and obligations are interpreted throughout the chapter. For example, a dwelling is considered abandoned only after a tenant has been absent for at least 30 days following a lease default or a court-ordered vacate, and 'rental fee' encompasses not just base rent but also utilities, maintenance charges, and other incidental fees spelled out in the lease agreement.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators of manufactured dwelling communities in Alabama should be familiar with the precise definitions set out in §§ 35-12A-1 to 35-12A-15, because these terms shape how every other provision in the chapter is applied. The definition of 'abandoned manufactured dwelling,' for instance, sets a clear 30-day absence threshold that compliant community owners use to determine when a dwelling may be treated as abandoned — acting before that threshold is met could expose an owner to liability. Similarly, the broad definition of 'rental fee' means that any utilities, maintenance charges, or incidental fees included in the lease agreement are treated as part of the regulated rental relationship.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Alabama manufactured dwelling communities benefit from the definitional protections established in §§ 35-12A-1 to 35-12A-15, which set the terms under which the rest of the chapter applies to their situation. Notably, a dwelling cannot be classified as 'abandoned' — and the legal consequences that follow — unless a tenant has been absent for a full 30 days after a lease default or a court order to vacate. Tenants who believe these definitions are being misapplied to their situation may wish to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Alabama manufactured housing law.
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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