Alaska Stat. § 34.03. § 34.03.360
Definitions
Operative Text
In this chapter, (1) “abandonment” means that the tenant has left the dwelling unit and the tenant's personal belongings in it and has been absent for a continuous period of seven days or longer without giving notice under AS 34.03.150 and has defaulted in the payment of rent; (2) “building and housing codes” include any law, ordinance, or governmental regulation concerning fitness for habitation, or the construction, maintenance, operation, occupancy, use, or appearance of a premise or dwelling unit; (3) “dwelling unit” means a structure or a part of a structure that is used as a home, residence, or sleeping place by one person who maintains a household or by two or more persons who maintain a common household, and includes mobile homes, and if located in a mobile home park, the lot or space upon which a mobile home is placed; (4) “fair rental value” means the average rental rate in the community for available dwelling units of similar size and features; (5) “good faith” means honesty in fact in the conduct of the transaction concerned; (6) “illegal activity involving alcoholic beverages” means a person's delivery of an alcoholic beverage in violation of AS 04.11.010(b) in an area where the results of a local option election have, under AS 04.11.491, prohibited the Alcoholic Beverage Control Board from issuing, renewing, or transferring a liquor license or permit under AS 04; (7) “illegal activity involving a controlled substance” means a violation of AS 11.71.010(a), 11.71.021, 11.71.030(a)(2) or (9), or 11.71.040(a)(1), (2), or (5); (8) “illegal activity involving gambling or promoting gambling” means a violation of (A) AS 11.66.200, other than a social game as that term is defined by AS 11.66.280(10); and (B) AS 11.66.210 or 11.66.220; (9) “illegal activity involving an imitation controlled substance” means a violation of AS 11.73.010 — 11.73.030; (10) “illegal activity involving a place of prostitution” means a violation of AS 11.66.120(a)(1) or 11.66.130(a)(2)(A) or (D); (11) “landlord” means the owner, lessor, or sublessor of the dwelling unit or the building of which it is a part, and it also means a manager of the premises who fails to disclose as required by AS 34.03.080; (12) “mobile home” has the meaning given to “manufactured home” in AS 45.29.102; (13) “organization” includes a corporation, government, governmental subdivision or agency, business trust, estate, trust, partnership or association, two or more persons having a joint or common interest, and any other legal entity; (14) “owner” means one or more persons, jointly or severally, in whom is vested all or part of the legal title to property or all or part of the beneficial ownership of property and a right to present use of the premises; the term includes a mortgagee in possession; (15) “premises” means a dwelling unit and the structure of which it is a part and facilities and appurtenances in it and grounds, areas, and facilities held out for the use of tenants generally or whose use is promised to the tenant; (16) “prepaid rent” means that amount of money demanded by the landlord at the initiation of the tenancy for the purpose of ensuring that rent will be paid, but does not include the first month's rent or money received as security for damage; (17) “prostitution” means an act in violation of AS 11.66.100; (18) “rent” means the uniform periodic payment due the landlord, however denominated; (19) “rental agreement” means all agreements, written or oral, and valid rules and regulations adopted under AS 34.03.130 embodying the terms and conditions concerning the use and occupancy of a dwelling unit and premises; (20) “sanitary facility” means a flush toilet and proper drainage for all toilets, sinks, basins, bathtubs, and showers; (21) “single family residence” means a structure maintained and used as a single dwelling unit; (22) “tenant” means a person entitled under a rental agreement to occupy a dwelling unit to the exclusion of others; (23) “undeveloped rural area” means an area where public sewer or water services are not available.
Alaska Statutes § 34.03.360 establishes the foundational vocabulary used throughout Alaska's Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. Terms such as "dwelling unit," "landlord," "tenant," "rent," "premises," and "rental agreement" are each given precise legal meanings that govern how the rest of the chapter is interpreted and applied. For example, the definition of "abandonment" requires both a seven-day absence without notice and a rent default before that status applies, and "landlord" can extend to a property manager who fails to make required disclosures. These definitions shape the rights and obligations of all parties covered by the chapter.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Property owners and managers operating under Alaska's residential tenancy law should be familiar with the definitions in AS 34.03 § 34.03.360, as these terms set the boundaries of their legal obligations throughout the chapter. For instance, the definition of "landlord" explicitly includes a manager who fails to disclose as required by AS 34.03.080, meaning that disclosure obligations extend beyond just the property owner. Compliant operators generally ensure that their rental agreements, notices, and practices align with these defined terms — particularly the definitions of "rental agreement," "premises," "prepaid rent," and "abandonment" — to avoid disputes over whether a given situation falls within the chapter's scope.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Tenants in Alaska benefit from understanding the definitions set out in AS 34.03 § 34.03.360, because these terms determine how their rights and protections under the Residential Landlord and Tenant Act are applied. For example, the definition of "abandonment" means a landlord generally cannot treat a unit as abandoned based on absence alone — a rent default must also exist alongside a seven-day absence without proper notice. Tenants who believe a landlord or property manager is misapplying these defined terms may find it useful to consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid provider familiar with Alaska 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 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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