Ala. Code §§ 35-9-1 to 35-9-100 § 35-9-6
Notice to Quit for Breach or Default of Terms of Lease.
Operative Text
When default is made in any of the terms of a lease, it shall not be necessary to give more than 10 days’ notice to quit, or of the termination of such tenancy, and the same may be terminated on giving such notice to quit at any time after such default in any of the terms of such lease; which notice may be substantially in the following form: “To A. B.: You are hereby notified that in consequence of your default in (here insert the character of the default) of the premises now occupied by you, being (here describe the premises), I have elected to terminate your lease, and you are hereby notifed to quit and deliver up possession of the same to me within 10 days of this date. Dated this _____ day of _____” To be signed by the lessor or his agent; and no other notice or demand of possession or termination of such tenancy shall be necessary to maintain unlawful detainer.
Under Alabama Code § 35-9-6, when a tenant breaches or defaults on any term of a lease, the landlord is permitted to terminate the tenancy by delivering a written notice to quit giving the tenant at least 10 days to vacate. The statute provides a model form for this notice, which must identify the nature of the default and describe the premises. Once this notice is properly given, no additional demand or notice is required before the landlord may pursue an unlawful detainer (eviction) action in court.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 35-9-6, a compliant operator who identifies a lease default generally issues a written notice to quit that follows the statutory form, clearly describing the nature of the default and the property, and gives the tenant a minimum of 10 days to vacate. Operators typically retain a copy of the notice and document the method of delivery to establish a clear record. Because this notice is the sole prerequisite for an unlawful detainer action under this provision, accuracy and completeness in the notice itself are central to a compliant process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Alabama Code § 35-9-6 establishes that a landlord may terminate a tenancy upon any lease default with as little as 10 days' written notice, and that notice alone is sufficient to support an eviction lawsuit. Tenants who receive such a notice may want to review whether the stated default is accurate and whether the notice substantially conforms to the statutory form described in § 35-9-6. Tenant-rights organizations and legal aid services can help tenants understand whether a notice is procedurally valid and what options may be available, including raising defenses in an unlawful detainer proceeding.
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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