Ala. Code §§ 35-4-6, 35-4-32, 35-4-51.1 § 35-4-32
Attornment of Tenant Unnecessary.
Operative Text
Every conveyance of an estate in any hereditament, corporeal or incorporeal, is good and effectual without attornment of the tenant; but no tenant who has paid his rent without notice of such conveyance is liable therefor.
Under Ala. Code §§ 35-4-6, 35-4-32, and 35-4-51.1, when a landlord sells or otherwise transfers ownership of a rental property, the transfer is legally valid and binding without any formal acknowledgment or consent from the tenant — a process historically called 'attornment.' However, a tenant who pays rent to the original landlord before receiving notice of the ownership change is protected from being required to pay that same rent again to the new owner.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ala. Code §§ 35-4-6, 35-4-32, and 35-4-51.1, a property transfer is effective regardless of whether tenants formally recognize the new owner, but compliant operators generally provide tenants with timely written notice of any change in ownership or management. Providing clear notice helps ensure that rent payments are directed to the correct party from the point of transfer forward. Operators who fail to notify tenants risk being unable to collect rent that a tenant in good faith paid to the prior owner.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ala. Code §§ 35-4-6, 35-4-32, and 35-4-51.1 protect tenants who pay rent to their original landlord before learning of a property sale or transfer — such payments are generally considered valid, and tenants are not penalized for rent paid without notice of the change. Tenants who receive notice of a new owner should direct future payments accordingly, though the underlying tenancy continues without requiring any formal agreement on the tenant's part. Tenants with questions about a change in ownership and its effect on their lease may find it helpful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Alabama housing law.
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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