(a) For purposes of Articles 1 and 2 of this chapter, the following terms shall have the respective meanings ascribed by this section:

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Terms Used In Alabama Code 34-27-2

  • Attorney-at-law: A person who is legally qualified and licensed to practice law, and to represent and act for clients in legal proceedings.
  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Executor: A male person named in a will to carry out the decedent
  • following: means next after. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Guardian: A person legally empowered and charged with the duty of taking care of and managing the property of another person who because of age, intellect, or health, is incapable of managing his (her) own affairs.
  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Lease: A contract transferring the use of property or occupancy of land, space, structures, or equipment in consideration of a payment (e.g., rent). Source: OCC
  • Partnership: A voluntary contract between two or more persons to pool some or all of their assets into a business, with the agreement that there will be a proportional sharing of profits and losses.
  • person: includes a corporation as well as a natural person. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Power of attorney: A written instrument which authorizes one person to act as another's agent or attorney. The power of attorney may be for a definite, specific act, or it may be general in nature. The terms of the written power of attorney may specify when it will expire. If not, the power of attorney usually expires when the person granting it dies. Source: OCC
  • property: includes both real and personal property. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • state: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
  • Trustee: A person or institution holding and administering property in trust.
  • year: means a calendar year; but, whenever the word "year" is used in reference to any appropriations for the payment of money out of the treasury, it shall mean fiscal year. See Alabama Code 1-1-1
(1) ASSOCIATE BROKER. Any broker other than a qualifying broker.
(2) BROKER. Any person licensed as a real estate broker under Articles 1 and 2 of this chapter.
(3) COMMISSION. The Alabama Real Estate Commission, except where the context requires that it means the fee paid to a broker or salesperson.
(4) COMMISSIONER. A member of the commission.
(5) COMPANY. Any sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, branch office, or lawfully constituted business organization as the Legislature may provide for from time to time, which is licensed as a company under Articles 1 and 2 of this chapter.
(6) ENGAGE. Contractual relationships between a qualifying broker and an associate broker or salesperson licensed under him or her whether the relationship is employer-employee, independent contractor, or otherwise.
(7) INACTIVE LICENSE. A license which is being held by the commission office by law, order of the commission, at the request of the licensee, or which is renewable but is not currently valid because of failure to renew.
(8) LICENSEE. Any broker, salesperson, or company.
(9) LICENSE PERIOD. That period of time beginning on October 1 of a year designated by the commission to be the first year of a license period and ending on midnight September 30 of the year designated by the commission as the final year of that license period.
(10) PERSON. A natural person.
(11) PLACE OF BUSINESS.

a. A licensed broker living in a rural area of this state who operates from his or her home, provided that he or she sets up and maintains an office for the conduct of the real estate business, which shall not be used for living purposes or occupancy other than the conduct of the real estate business. The office shall be used by the broker only and not as a place of business from which any additional licensee operates under his or her license. The office shall have a separate business telephone, separate entrance, and be properly identified as a real estate office.
b. All licensees located within the city limits or police jurisdiction of a municipality shall operate from a separate office located in the city limits or police jurisdiction. The office shall have a business telephone, meet all other regulations of the Real Estate Commission, and be properly identified as a real estate office. Hardship cases may be subject to waiver of this regulation upon application and approval by the commission.
c. All business records and files shall be kept at the place of business as required by law or Real Estate Commission rules.
(12) QUALIFYING BROKER. A broker under whom a sole proprietorship, corporation, partnership, branch office, or lawfully constituted business organization as the Legislature may from time to time provide is licensed, or a broker licensed as a company to do business as a sole proprietorship who is responsible for supervising the acts of the company or proprietorship and all real estate licensees licensed therewith.
(13) RECOVERY FUND. The Alabama Real Estate Recovery Fund.
(14) SALESPERSON. Any person licensed as a real estate salesperson under Articles 1 and 2 of this chapter.
(b) The licensing requirements of Articles 1 and 2 of this chapter shall not apply to any of the following persons and transactions:

(1) Any owner in the managing of, or in consummating a real estate transaction involving, his or her own real estate or the real estate of his or her spouse or child or parent.
(2) An attorney-at-law performing his or her duties as an attorney-at-law.
(3) Persons acting without compensation and in good faith under a duly executed power of attorney authorizing the consummation of a real estate transaction.
(4) Persons or a state or federally chartered financial institution acting as a receiver, trustee, administrator, executor, or guardian; or acting under a court order or under authority of a trust instrument or will.
(5) Public officers performing their official duties.
(6) Persons performing general clerical or administrative duties for a broker so long as the person does not physically show listed property.
(7) Persons acting as the manager for an apartment building or complex. However, this exception shall not apply to a person acting as an on-site manager of a condominium building or complex.
(8) Persons licensed as time-share sellers under Article 3 of this chapter performing an act consistent with that article.
(9) Transactions involving the sale, lease, or transfer of cemetery lots.
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