Alabama Rent Increase Laws 2025: What Tenants Should Know

Published On: June 2, 2025

Alabama Rent Increase Laws 2025: What Tenants Should Know

Alabama remains a landlord-friendly state in 2025, with minimal restrictions on how and when landlords can raise rent. However, tenants do have important rights and protections. Here’s a comprehensive overview of what renters should know about rent increases in Alabama this year.

No Statewide Rent Control

Alabama does not have statewide rent control laws. Landlords can raise rent by any amount, and there is no legal cap on how much rent can be increased—even large hikes of 50% or more are technically allowed.
Local governments are prohibited by state law from enacting their own rent control ordinances for private residential properties.

Notice Requirements for Rent Increases

For month-to-month leases, landlords are generally required to provide at least 30 days’ written notice before a rent increase takes effect.
Some sources suggest that if the rent increase is over 10%, a 90-day notice may be considered reasonable, though this is not codified in state law and may depend on local custom or lease language.
For week-to-week leases, a 7-day notice is standard.
For fixed-term leases (such as a one-year lease), rent cannot be increased during the lease term unless the lease specifically allows for it. Otherwise, any increase must wait until the lease is renewed or a new lease is signed.

How Often Can Rent Be Increased?

There is no state law limiting how frequently a landlord can increase rent, but increases are typically aligned with the end of a lease term or upon renewal.
For month-to-month tenants, rent can be increased once every 60 days, providing some stability for renters.

Required Content of Rent Increase Notices

Notices must be in writing and should include:
- The tenant’s name and address
- The new rent amount and the date it takes effect
- (Optionally) The reason for the increase
- The landlord’s contact information

Prohibited Rent Increases

Landlords cannot raise rent in a discriminatory manner. Increases cannot be based on race, religion, sex, disability, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or gender identity, in accordance with the Fair Housing Act.
Rent increases cannot be retaliatory. For example, a landlord cannot raise rent because a tenant filed a complaint about health or safety violations or joined a tenants’ union.

Exceptions: Localized Rent Control

While Alabama prohibits rent control statewide, some public or subsidized housing developments—such as certain units in Birmingham—may have localized rent regulations. These are rare and typically apply only to low-income or affordable housing.

Tenant Protections and Remedies

If a rent increase notice is not properly given (e.g., insufficient notice or not in writing), tenants may have grounds to contest the increase or delay payment at the new rate.
Tenants can seek legal aid if they believe a rent increase is discriminatory, retaliatory, or otherwise unlawful.
Resources such as the Alabama Tenants’ Handbook and legal aid organizations can help tenants understand their rights and respond to improper rent increases.

Best Practices for Tenants

Always review your lease agreement for any clauses regarding rent increases.
Request all communications, especially rent increase notices, in writing.
Compare rent increases to local market rates to ensure they are not excessive, though landlords are not legally bound by market trends.
Document any suspected retaliation or discrimination and seek legal advice if needed.

Alabama Rent Increase Laws 2025

Topic	Rule/Requirement
Rent Control	None statewide; no cap on increases
Notice for Month-to-Month	30 days (written)
Notice for Week-to-Week	7 days (written)
Notice for >10% Increase	90 days (recommended, not mandated)
Fixed-Term Lease	No increase during term unless lease allows
Frequency of Increase	No state limit; once every 60 days for month-to-month
Discrimination/Retaliation	Prohibited by law
Local Rent Control	Rare, only in some subsidized/public housing

Alabama tenants in 2025 should be aware that while rent can be increased by any amount, landlords must provide proper notice and cannot act in a discriminatory or retaliatory manner. Reviewing your lease, staying informed, and seeking legal help when needed are the best ways to protect your rights in the current legal landscape.