Form PS-01      Rev. 09/21 

Answer to Landlord’s Claim 
Residential Eviction/Unlawful Detainer 

Case Number: 

In the District Court of _________ County, Alabama 

v. 

Plaintiff’s First and Last Name 
  (Landlord) 

Defendant’s First and Last Name 
  (Tenant) 

Instructions to Defendant: Your landlord (Plaintiff) is asking the court to evict you for the reasons in the 
Statement of Claim, the document served on you personally or posted on your door. 

If you disagree with the eviction, follow steps 1 through 3 below: 
 Complete and sign this Answer. 
 Complete and sign the Certificate of Service at the bottom of this form 

The deadline for filing  
your answer is seven (7) 
calendar days after the  
date you were personally 
served the Statement of 
Claim or it was posted on 
    Statement of Claim  
your door. 
 Before the deadline (see box at right), mail or hand deliver the original Answer to the County Circuit

  Make two copies of the completed form – one for you to keep and one to mail 
  or hand deliver to your Landlord or the Landlord’s lawyer at the address in the 

Court Clerk at the address in the Statement of Claim. Note: If you mail the Answer to the Clerk, the Clerk must
receive it by the deadline.

It is important to print carefully and accurately when completing this form. 
After you file your Answer, the court will mail and email, if available, a trial notice to you. 
At trial, you can present evidence and witness testimony to the judge. 
If you do not answer, you may be evicted and a money judgment may be entered against you. 

To oppose the eviction and/or your landlord’s claim for money, check boxes and sign below: 
I am the Defendant (Tenant) in this case. I disagree with the Statement of Claim for the reasons shown below (check 
all which apply). I demand the Landlord provide strict proof of all allegations against me. 

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
f.

g.
h.

The Landlord did not serve me with a proper termination of lease notice before filing this case.
I did everything the Landlord required me to do to avoid eviction before the legal deadline.
I took the money owed to my Landlord by the deadline, but my Landlord refused to accept it.
The Landlord accepted payment from me after sending me the lease termination notice.
The Summons and Statement of Claim were not given to me or any responsible person living with me.
I agree I owe my Landlord the amount listed in the Statement of Claim, but I do not agree to my Landlord 
having possession.
I deny I owe the Landlord the amount listed in the Statement of Claim.
I have applied for rental assistance* with: _____________________________________________________ 
Name of Assistance Program 

Contact Number 

Contact Name 

 I ask the Court to deny the eviction and/or to not allow a money judgement against me. 
X SIGN HERE: __________________________________ Date: _______________ 
  Your Address: _______________________________________________________ 
  Your email address: ___________________Telephone Numbers: ______________ 

CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE 
I certify I delivered or mailed a true copy of this Answer to my Landlord or my Landlord’s lawyer on _________,20__ at 
the following address: 
__________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
Mailing Address                                             City                                   State                                Zip 
X Sign here: ___________________________________________ Date: ___________________________________ 

© Alabama State Bar