Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-101 to 35-9A-603 § 35-9A-301
Tenant to Maintain Dwelling Unit.
Operative Text
A tenant shall: (1) comply with all obligations primarily imposed upon tenants by applicable provisions of building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety; (2) keep that part of the premises that the tenant occupies and uses as clean and safe as the condition of the premises permit; (3) dispose from the dwelling unit all ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other waste in a clean and safe manner; (4) keep all plumbing fixtures in the dwelling unit or used by the tenant as clear as their condition permits; (5) use in a reasonable manner all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, air-conditioning, and other facilities and appliances including elevators in the premises; (6) not deliberately or negligently destroy, deface, damage, impair, or remove any part of the premises; or knowingly, recklessly, or negligently permit any person to do so; and (7) conduct himself or herself and require other persons on the premises with the tenant’s consent to conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb the neighbors’ peaceful enjoyment of the premises.
Alabama Code § 35-9A-301 establishes a set of affirmative maintenance and conduct obligations that fall on tenants during their tenancy. The provision requires tenants to keep their unit clean and safe, properly dispose of waste, maintain plumbing fixtures, use building systems reasonably, avoid damaging the property, and ensure that guests behave in ways that do not disturb neighbors. These duties run alongside—not instead of—any obligations a landlord may have, and they reflect a shared responsibility model for maintaining habitable housing conditions.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 35-9A-301, compliant property operators typically document the condition of a unit at move-in and move-out to establish a baseline against which tenant-caused damage or neglect can be measured. Operators generally include lease language that mirrors the statutory tenant obligations—covering waste disposal, fixture care, and guest conduct—so that any breach is clearly tied to a specific contractual and statutory duty. When a tenant appears to be violating these standards, operators commonly issue written notices that reference § 35-9A-301 and describe the specific condition requiring correction, creating a documented record of the concern.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 35-9A-301 of the Alabama Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act outlines the maintenance and conduct responsibilities tenants are expected to meet, including keeping the unit clean, disposing of waste properly, and not damaging the premises. Tenants should be aware that a landlord may cite this provision when seeking to terminate a tenancy or withhold a security deposit, making it useful to document the unit's condition throughout the lease term with dated photographs or written records. If a tenant believes a landlord is misapplying § 35-9A-301—for example, attributing pre-existing damage to the tenant—tenant-rights organizations and legal aid offices can help clarify what the statute actually requires and what options may be available.
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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