Ala. Code §§ 35-9A-101 to 35-9A-603 § 35-9A-425
Landlord Liens; Distraint for Rent.
Operative Text
(a) A lien or security interest on behalf of the landlord in the tenant’s household goods is not enforceable unless perfected before January 1, 2007. (b) Distraint for rent is abolished.
Under Alabama Code § 35-9A-425, landlords are prohibited from holding or enforcing a lien or security interest against a tenant's personal household goods unless that interest was legally perfected before January 1, 2007. Additionally, the provision abolishes the old common-law remedy of distraint for rent, which historically allowed landlords to seize a tenant's property as security for unpaid rent. These two rules together significantly limit the tools a landlord may use to collect unpaid rent through claims against a tenant's belongings.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 35-9A-425, compliant Alabama landlords do not attempt to assert, enforce, or threaten any lien or security interest against a tenant's household goods unless that interest was properly perfected prior to January 1, 2007. Because distraint for rent has been abolished by this provision, operators do not seize or hold a tenant's personal property as a means of collecting overdue rent. Landlords generally pursue other legally available remedies—such as filing a civil action for unpaid rent—rather than attempting to claim rights over a tenant's belongings.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Alabama Code § 35-9A-425 provides tenants with meaningful protections against a landlord claiming rights over their household goods: any such lien or security interest is unenforceable unless it was perfected before January 1, 2007, and the remedy of distraint for rent no longer exists in Alabama. If a landlord attempts to seize, hold, or threaten to take a tenant's personal property as leverage for rent payment, that conduct may be inconsistent with this provision. Tenants who believe a landlord is acting contrary to § 35-9A-425 may consider contacting a local tenant-rights organization, a legal aid office, or reviewing available complaint processes to understand their options.
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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