Ala. Code §§ 8-19-1 to 8-19-15 § 8-19-10

Private Right of Action.

In Force
Verified 10/16/2026 · Next check 10/23/2026
effective 10/16/2026AlabamaLease Requirements

Operative Text

Ala. Code §§ 8-19-1 to 8-19-15 § 8-19-10
(a) Any person who commits one or more of the acts or practices declared unlawful under this chapter and thereby causes monetary damage to a consumer, and any person who commits one or more of the acts or practices declared unlawful in subdivisions (19) and (20) of Section 8-19-5 and thereby causes monetary damage to another person, shall be liable to each consumer or other person for:

(1) Any actual damages sustained by such consumer or person, or the sum of $100, whichever is greater; or

(2) Up to three times any actual damages, in the court’s discretion. In making its determination under this subsection, the court shall consider, among other relevant factors, the amount of actual damages awarded, the frequency of the unlawful acts or practices, the number of persons adversely affected thereby, and the extent to which the unlawful acts or practices were committed intentionally; and

(3) In the case of any successful action or counterclaim to enforce the foregoing liability or in which injunctive relief is obtained, the costs of the action or counterclaim, together with a reasonable attorney’s fee. On a finding by the court that an action or counterclaim under this section was frivolous or brought in bad faith or for the purpose of harassment, the court shall award to the defendant (or counterclaim-defendant) reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.

(b) The liability provided in this section may be enforced by counterclaim in an action arising from the same transaction without regard to the statute of limitations provided in Section 8-19-14.

(c) Any action under this section may be brought in the circuit court for the county in which the defendant resides, has his or her principal place of business, is doing business, or committed the unlawful act or practice.

(d) Upon commencement of any action brought under this section, the clerk of the court shall mail a copy of the complaint or other initial pleading to the office of the Attorney General and to the local district attorney and, upon entry of any injunction, judgment, or decree in the action, shall mail a copy of such injunction, judgment, or decree to the office of the Attorney General and to the local district attorney.

(e) At least 15 days prior to the filing of any action under this section, a written demand for relief, identifying the claimant and reasonably describing the unfair or deceptive act or practice relied upon and the injury suffered, shall be communicated to any prospective respondent by placing in the United States mail or otherwise. Any person receiving such a demand for relief who, within 15 days of the delivering of the demand for relief, makes a written tender of settlement which is rejected by the claimant may, in any subsequent action, file the written tender and an affidavit concerning this rejection. If the court finds that the relief tendered was sufficient to compensate the petitioner for his or her actual damages, the court shall not award any additional damages or attorney’s fees or costs to the petitioner. The demand requirements of this subsection shall not apply if the prospective respondent does not maintain a place of business or does not keep assets within the state, but such respondent may otherwise employ the provisions of this section by making a written offer of relief and paying the rejected tender into court as soon as practicable after receiving notice of an action commenced under this section. All written tenders of settlement such as described in this subsection shall be presumed to be offered without prejudice in compromise of a disputed matter.

(f) A consumer or other person bringing an action under this chapter may not bring an action on behalf of a class. The limitation in this subsection is a substantive limitation and allowing a consumer or other person to bring a class action or other representative action for a violation of this chapter would abridge, enlarge, or modify the substantive rights created by this chapter.

(g) Notwithstanding the limitation in subsection (f), only the office of the Attorney General or district attorney shall have the right and authority to bring action in a representative capacity on behalf of any named person or persons. In any such representative action brought by the office of the Attorney General or a district attorney, the court shall not award minimum damages or treble damages, but recovery shall be limited to actual damages suffered by the person or persons, plus reasonable attorney’s fees and costs.

(h) Any person who sells, distributes, or manufactures cigarettes and sustains direct economic or commercial injury as a result of a violation of subdivision (23) of Section 8-19-5 may bring an action in good faith for appropriate injunctive relief.
Source: Legislative text reproduced verbatim
Plain English

Alabama Code §§ 8-19-1 to 8-19-15, § 8-19-10 establishes a private right of action for consumers harmed by unfair or deceptive trade practices. A person who suffers monetary damage from a prohibited act can recover at least $100 or their actual damages—whichever is greater—and a court may award up to three times actual damages depending on factors such as the intentionality and frequency of the unlawful conduct. Attorney's fees and court costs may also be recovered in successful actions, though class actions are barred for individual consumers, and representative actions may only be brought by the Attorney General or a district attorney.

Written by anthropic/claude-sonnet-4.6 · Reviewed on October 16, 2026

Plain English — not legal advice.

For Property Managers

Property owners and managers operating in Alabama should be aware that § 8-19-10 gives consumers a direct path to sue for deceptive or unfair practices, with potential exposure to treble damages and attorney's fees. Compliant operators generally ensure that all rental-related representations, fees, and practices conform to the standards set out in Ala. Code §§ 8-19-1 to 8-19-15, since courts weigh the frequency and intentionality of violations when determining enhanced damages. Operators should also be prepared to respond to a written pre-suit demand within 15 days, as a timely and adequate settlement offer can limit exposure to additional damages and fees.

General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.

For Tenants

Under Ala. Code §§ 8-19-1 to 8-19-15, § 8-19-10, tenants who suffer monetary harm from an unfair or deceptive practice have the right to file a lawsuit in the circuit court of the county where the violation occurred or where the defendant does business. Before filing, a written demand for relief must generally be sent to the prospective respondent at least 15 days in advance, describing the deceptive act and the injury suffered. Tenants may also raise a violation as a counterclaim in an existing action, and tenant-rights organizations can help explain what remedies—such as actual damages, the $100 minimum recovery, or potential treble damages—may be available in a given situation.

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

Current
Oct 16, 2026
Click on timeline segments to view historical versions.

References Out

Rules and statutes cited by this regulation

References In

Rules and statutes that cite this regulation

Ala. Code § 8-19-5
Ala. Code § 8-19-14
Ala. Code § 8-19-5
Ala. Code § 8-19-8
Ala. Code § 8-19-5
Ala. Code § 8-19-5
Ala. Code § 8-19-5

Related Rules

§ 244.280
Tenant to be given copy of lease
§ 151.35
SEVERABILITY
§ 165.12
SEVERABILITY

Source Information

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