Operative Text
The provider of goods or services may not require a landlord or real property owner to pay the delinquent bill of a tenant for goods or services provided to the tenant of the landlord if the account for the goods or services is in the name of the tenant. In addition, the provider of goods or services shall not have a lien on the real property for any goods or services provided in the name of the tenant.
Under Alabama Code § 35-9-15, when a utility or other goods-and-services account is held in a tenant's name, the provider of those goods or services cannot hold the property owner financially responsible for any unpaid balance the tenant leaves behind. The provision also bars the provider from placing a lien on the real property to collect a debt that was incurred under the tenant's account. This rule draws a clear line between the tenant's personal financial obligations and the landlord's property rights.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Alabama Code § 35-9-15 offers property owners a meaningful protection: as long as utility or service accounts are established in the tenant's name rather than the owner's, the provider generally cannot demand payment from the landlord for the tenant's unpaid bills. Compliant operators typically ensure that service accounts for individual units are set up in the tenant's name at the start of a tenancy, which helps preserve this statutory shield. Keeping documentation of how accounts are titled can be useful if a provider ever attempts to assert a claim against the property.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Alabama Code § 35-9-15, when goods or services are provided in your name, the debt you incur is yours alone — the provider cannot use your landlord's property as collateral by placing a lien on it to collect what you owe. This provision reflects a broader principle that account holders bear responsibility for their own balances, which can be relevant context if a provider ever threatens action against the property where you live. Tenants who have questions about how this rule applies to their accounts may find it helpful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with Alabama landlord-tenant 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.
Effective Timeline
References Out
No outbound references recorded yet for this provision.
References In
Rules and statutes that cite this regulation