Ala. Code §§ 35-9B-1 to 35-9B-9 § 35-9B-9
Relation to Chapters 9 and 9A.
Operative Text
(a) For the purposes of this chapter, the term “squatter” means a person occupying a dwelling who is not entitled to occupy the dwelling under a lease or rental agreement nor authorized by a tenant to occupy the dwelling. The term does not include a tenant who holds over in periodic tenancy as described in Section 35-9A-441. (b) Occupancy by a squatter is excluded from the application of Chapters 9 and 9A, and the removal of a squatter shall not require the use of an eviction action under those chapters.
Alabama Code §§ 35-9B-1 to 35-9B-9 establishes a legal distinction between a 'squatter' and a tenant. A squatter is defined as someone occupying a dwelling without any lease, rental agreement, or authorization from a tenant — notably excluding holdover tenants in periodic tenancy under § 35-9A-441. Because squatter occupancy falls outside the scope of Alabama's standard landlord-tenant chapters (Chapters 9 and 9A), the formal eviction process established under those chapters does not apply to removing a squatter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under §§ 35-9B-1 to 35-9B-9, property owners dealing with an unauthorized occupant who qualifies as a 'squatter' — someone with no lease, rental agreement, or tenant-granted permission — are not required to use the standard eviction procedures outlined in Chapters 9 and 9A. Compliant operators typically document the absence of any rental relationship and confirm the occupant does not qualify as a holdover periodic tenant before pursuing removal through the alternative process this chapter provides. Careful record-keeping of lease agreements and authorized occupants can help establish clearly whether an occupant falls under this chapter's definition.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
For tenants, §§ 35-9B-1 to 35-9B-9 is important because it explicitly carves out holdover tenants in periodic tenancy (as described in § 35-9A-441) from the definition of 'squatter,' meaning those individuals retain the protections of Chapters 9 and 9A. If a landlord attempts to remove someone who does have a lease, rental agreement, or tenant-granted authorization by treating them as a squatter under this chapter, that person may have grounds to assert that the standard eviction process is required. Tenants who believe they are being misclassified under this provision may find it useful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid service 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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