Operative Text
Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any bill for sewer service received in the name of a tenant or tenants, shall be the sole responsibility of the tenant or tenants and shall not constitute a lien on the property where the sewer service was received.
Under Alabama Code § 35-9-14, when a sewer service bill is issued in a tenant's name, that tenant bears full financial responsibility for the bill. Crucially, the provision specifies that such a bill cannot become a lien against the rental property itself. This rule overrides any conflicting provisions in other laws that might otherwise allow sewer debts to attach to real property.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 35-9-14, when sewer service accounts are established in a tenant's name, the resulting bills are the tenant's financial obligation—not the property owner's—and those bills cannot encumber the property with a lien. Compliant operators typically document in the lease which utilities, including sewer service, are the tenant's responsibility and confirm that accounts are properly titled in the tenant's name. Keeping clear records of utility account arrangements can help property owners demonstrate compliance with this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Alabama Code § 35-9-14 establishes that if a sewer service bill is in your name, you are solely responsible for paying it, and the landlord's property is shielded from any lien arising from that bill. This means the debt is treated as a personal obligation rather than one that runs with the property. Tenants who have questions about how utility responsibilities are allocated in their lease, or who face disputes over sewer charges, may wish to review their lease terms carefully or consult a tenant-rights organization familiar with Alabama 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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