Tennessee Tenant Rights
Tennessee landlord-tenant law is a split system: the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA) applies in counties with populations over 75,000 (Tenn.
Last reviewed:
Key Laws by Topic
Eviction Laws
- Nonpayment Notice:
- 14 days written notice to pay or vacate (URLTA counties)
- Periodic Tenancy Notice:
- 30 days notice for month-to-month termination
- Just Cause Required:
- No — no just-cause eviction requirement in Tennessee
- Rent Control:
- No rent control; Tennessee preempts local rent control ordinances
- Urlta:
- URLTA applies only in counties with populations over 75,000
Security Deposit Laws
- Limit:
- No statutory maximum
- Return Deadline:
- 30 days (or 60 days if damage claim) after termination of tenancy
- Itemization Required:
- Yes — written itemized statement required within 30 days
- Interest Required:
- No statewide requirement
- Bad Faith Penalty:
- Tenant may recover deposit amount plus attorney's fees for bad-faith withholding
Repair & Habitability Laws
- Repair And Deduct:
- Not expressly authorized by statute — tenants should seek court remedies
- Rent Withholding:
- Tenant may terminate for material habitability breach in URLTA counties
- Notice Required:
- Written notice to landlord required before exercising remedies
- Habitability Standards:
- Weatherproofing, heating, plumbing, electrical, sanitary conditions (URLTA counties)
- Urlta:
- Habitability requirements most clearly defined in URLTA counties
Tenant Harassment Laws
- Self Help Prohibited:
- Self-help eviction prohibited in URLTA counties; court process required
- Retaliation Prohibited:
- Yes — retaliatory evictions, rent increases, and service reductions prohibited
- Remedies:
- Actual damages and injunctive relief available for harassment or retaliation
- Quiet Enjoyment:
- Implied covenant of quiet enjoyment in URLTA tenancies
Notice & Entry Laws
- Notice Required:
- 24 hours advance notice required in URLTA counties
- Permissible Entry Reasons:
- Repairs, inspections, showing unit, emergencies
- Emergency Entry:
- Permitted without advance notice for genuine emergencies
- Time Of Entry:
- Reasonable times only
- Urlta:
- Entry notice requirements formally apply only in URLTA counties
Legal Aid Resources
Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands
Middle Tennessee and Cumberland region
Need Personalized Guidance?
Our free wizard helps you identify your specific issue and find the right next steps.
Not Legal Advice. This site provides general educational information only — not legal counsel. Laws vary by location. Consult a qualified attorney for advice on your specific situation.