By Alabama Public Radio
Montgomery AL – The Alabama House has passed a bill aimed at bringing new guidelines to landlords across the state. Thebill would require landlords to make sure their rental property has electricity, heat, water and meets certain other minimum standards. If those services are not provided, tenanta would find it easier to get out of their lease. However, the bill would also make it easier for landlords to evict tenants who destroy property or don't pay their rent. In those cases, tenants and landlords would enter a process that could lead to eviction within 21 days if violations are not remedied. Representative Jeff McLaughlin says the bill was a compromise aimed at protecting the rights of both tenants and landlords. The bill passed on a vote of a hundred to nothing, and now heads to the Senate for consideration.