Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-101 to 35-9A-603 § 35-9A-142
Obligation of Good Faith.
Operative Text
Every agreement and duty under this chapter and every act which must be performed as a condition precedent to the exercise of a right or remedy under this chapter imposes an obligation of good faith in its performance or enforcement.
Alabama Code § 35-9A-142 establishes that every agreement, duty, and required act under the state's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act must be carried out honestly and in good faith. This applies equally to both parties whenever they are performing obligations or enforcing rights and remedies under the chapter. The rule functions as a baseline standard of conduct woven into every aspect of the landlord-tenant relationship governed by this law.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 35-9A-142, property owners and managers are generally expected to act honestly and in good faith when carrying out any duty or agreement covered by Alabama's residential landlord-tenant law. Compliant operators typically document their actions, communicate transparently with tenants, and avoid using procedural steps—such as notices or inspections—as pretexts for improper purposes. Conduct that appears designed to circumvent a tenant's rights or remedies under the chapter may be scrutinized against this good-faith standard.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 35-9A-142 means that tenants, too, are entitled to have landlords perform their obligations honestly and without bad faith throughout the rental relationship. If a landlord's actions seem designed to evade duties or undermine a tenant's ability to exercise a remedy under Alabama's landlord-tenant law, that conduct may be relevant to a legal claim or defense. Tenants who believe this standard has been violated can explore options such as raising it as a defense in an eviction proceeding, consulting a tenant-rights organization, or seeking guidance from a licensed Alabama attorney.
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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