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Moving In and Moving Out

Moving in to a new place can be exciting and you should know your rights and responsibilities ahead of time.  The Alabama Landlord-Tenant Law addresses the relationship between the Landlord and Tenant under a rental agreement for residential purposes.  The Alabama Tenants’ Handbook, published by Alabama Appleseed, Arise Citizens’ Policy Project, and Legal Services of Alabama, explains the law and provides basic information for renters including information on leases and Landlord responsibilities.  Portions of this document were adapted from The Alabama Tenants’ Handbook.

  • Keep a copy of your lease with you and keep a copy of all written correspondence between you and the Landlord.

  • Get a receipt for the security deposit and a written description of what it is for.

  • Be sure to keep a copy of all rental payments you make, whether by check, credit card, debit card, or cash.

Moving In

  • Carefully read over the lease and ask questions before you sign it.

  • Make sure you know the date you can begin moving in.

  • Walk through the house or apartment with the Landlord before you move in.

  • You can use a Rental Inspection Tip Sheet to document any concerns you may have or any damages that may exist.

  • Document any preexisting damages on the Rental Inspection Tip Sheet and ask the Landlord to sign it so that you are not held responsible for the damages and repairs later on.

  • Take pictures of every room including appliances for documentation.

Moving Out

  • Make sure you know the date you must move out and be sure to thoroughly clean your house or apartment.  This includes appliances such as the stove, refrigerator and microwave, as well as outdoor areas such as the porch and garage.

  • Take pictures again once you have moved everything out.

  • Ask your Landlord to walk through the house or apartment with you to document any damages.  Refer to the Rental Inspection Tip Sheet you used when you moved in.

  • Ask the Landlord to sign the Tip Sheet stating whether there were or were not damages when you moved out.

  • Be sure to leave a forwarding address in writing with the Landlord so that your security deposit can be returned to you if you are eligible for a refund.  The Landlord has 35 days after the end of the Lease to refund the security deposit.  If there are damages that you caused, the Landlord has to give you a list of the damages and the repair costs.

  • The cost of the repairs can be subtracted from the security deposit.  The list of repairs and costs has to be sent to you within 35 days of the end of the lease.