Ala. Code §§ 35-9-1 to 35-9-100 § 35-9-12
Seizure of Crops Upon Abandonment of Premises.
Operative Text
When a tenant abandons or removes from the premises or any part thereof, the landlord or his agent or attorney may seize upon any grain or other crops grown or growing upon the premises or part thereof so abandoned, whether the rent is due or not. If such grain or other crops or any part thereof is not fully grown or matured, the landlord or his agent or attorney may cause the same to be properly cultivated and harvested or gathered, and may sell and dispose of the same, and apply the proceeds, so far as may be necessary, to compensate him for his labor and expenses and to pay the rent and advances. The tenant may, at any time before the sale of the property so seized, redeem the same by tendering the rent and advances due and reasonable compensation, and expenses of the cultivation and harvesting or gathering the same.
Under Alabama Code § 35-9-12, when a tenant abandons leased premises, the landlord is permitted to seize any grain or crops grown or growing on the abandoned land, regardless of whether rent is currently owed. The landlord may then tend, harvest, and sell those crops, applying the proceeds toward unpaid rent, advances, and the costs of cultivation and harvesting. The tenant retains a right of redemption, meaning they can reclaim the seized crops at any point before an actual sale by paying the rent owed, any advances, and reasonable cultivation and harvesting expenses.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Alabama Code § 35-9-12, a landlord whose tenant has abandoned the premises generally documents the abandonment carefully before exercising the right to seize crops on the property. A compliant operator typically ensures that any cultivation, harvesting, or sale of seized crops is conducted in a commercially reasonable manner, keeping clear records of all labor and expenses so that proceeds can be properly applied to rent, advances, and costs. Because the tenant retains a redemption right up until the moment of sale, landlords generally avoid finalizing any sale prematurely and maintain transparent accounting of all amounts involved.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Alabama Code § 35-9-12 preserves a tenant's right to reclaim seized crops at any time before they are sold by tendering the rent due, any advances, and reasonable cultivation and harvesting expenses. If a landlord seizes crops in a situation where abandonment is disputed, or if the amounts demanded seem unreasonable, tenants may wish to document their position and explore options such as consulting a tenant-rights organization or seeking legal counsel familiar with Alabama landlord-tenant law. Understanding the redemption window under § 35-9-12 is important, as the right to reclaim the crops ends once a sale is completed.
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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