Bledsoe County Landlord-Tenant Law

Tennessee landlord guide — county ordinances, courthouse info & local rules

Bledsoe County Rental Market Overview

Bledsoe County is one of Tennessee’s more unusual rental markets — a small, rural Sequatchie Valley county whose economy is substantially shaped by two institutions that rarely appear together: a major state prison complex and a world-class state park. The Bledsoe County Correctional Complex (BCCX), a 2,500-acre facility housing roughly 2,500 offenders in three units, is one of the county’s largest employers. Meanwhile, Fall Creek Falls State Park — approximately 17 miles from Pikeville — draws hundreds of thousands of annual visitors and creates modest tourism-adjacent rental demand.

With a 2020 population of 14,913, Bledsoe County is firmly below the URLTA threshold and governed by Tennessee common law and general Title 66 provisions. Evictions proceed through General Sessions Court at the Bledsoe County Courthouse, 3150 Main Street in Pikeville, under the 12th Judicial District.

Bledsoe County Ordinances & Local Rules

Tennessee State Law Framework

⚡ Quick Overview

14

Days Notice (Nonpayment)

14

Days Notice (Violation)

30-45

Avg Total Days

$130

Filing Fee (Approx)

💰 Nonpayment of Rent

Notice Type 14-Day Notice to Pay or Vacate

Notice Period 14 days

Tenant Can Cure? Yes

Days to Hearing 6-14 days

Days to Writ 10 days

Total Estimated Timeline 30-45 days

Total Estimated Cost $175-$400

⚠️ Watch Out

Tennessee has a dual-track eviction system. The URLTA (§66-28-505) applies to counties with population over 75,000 (covering ~75% of the population including Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, Chattanooga). Non-URLTA counties use §66-7-109. Notice periods are 14 days for both tracks for nonpayment. Tenants have a mandatory 5-day grace period (§66-28-201(d)). The 14-day notice cannot be sent until after the 5-day grace period expires. If the same nonpayment recurs within 6 months, landlord can issue a 7-day unconditional quit notice (§66-28-505(a)(2)(B)). Filing fees vary by county ($100-$200).

📜 Eviction Laws Main 📊 Compare This State

Underground Landlord

📝 Tennessee Eviction Process (Overview)

1. Serve the required notice based on the eviction reason (nonpayment or lease violation).
2. Wait for the notice period to expire. If tenant cures the issue (where allowed), the process stops.
3. File an eviction case with the General Sessions Court. Pay the filing fee (~$130).
4. Tenant is served with a summons and has the opportunity to respond.
5. Attend the court hearing and present your case.
6. If you prevail, obtain a writ of possession from the court.
7. Law enforcement executes the writ and removes the tenant if necessary.

⚠️ Disclaimer: This page provides general information about Tennessee eviction laws and does not constitute legal advice. Eviction procedures can vary by county and may change over time. Local jurisdictions may have additional requirements or tenant protections. For specific legal guidance, consult a qualified Tennessee attorney or local legal aid organization.

🐛 See an error on this page? Let us know

Underground Landlord

🔍 Reduce Your Risk Before Signing a Lease: Tennessee landlords who screen tenants carefully before signing a lease significantly reduce their risk of ending up in eviction court. Understanding tenant screening in Tennessee — including background checks, credit history, income verification, and rental references — is one of the most cost-effective steps you can take to protect your rental property. Before you ever need Tennessee's eviction process, proper tenant screening can help you identify red flags early and avoid problem tenancies altogether.

Ready to File?

Generate Tennessee-Compliant Legal Documents

AI-generated, state-specific eviction notices, pay-or-quit letters, lease termination documents, and more — pre-filled with your tenant's information and built to Tennessee requirements.

Generate a Document →

View AI Hub →

Pikeville and Bledsoe County: Corrections Employment, Fall Creek Falls, and Tennessee Landlord-Tenant Law

Bledsoe County’s rental market is defined by two poles: the Bledsoe County Correctional Complex (BCCX), one of the largest state prison facilities in Tennessee, and Fall Creek Falls State Park, home to one of the highest waterfalls east of the Rocky Mountains. These two institutions shape the county’s tenant pool and STR opportunity in nearly opposite directions — stable government employment on one end, outdoor tourism on the other.

The BCCX Corrections Workforce

BCCX operates three separate facilities across roughly 2,500 acres, employing hundreds of corrections officers, case managers, medical staff, and administrative personnel. Tennessee Department of Correction pay scales are standardized — modest but consistent biweekly income with state health insurance and TCRS retirement system participation. Corrections staff work rotating shifts including overnight schedules, which means some tenants may sleep during conventional daytime hours. This is a normal feature of shift work employment and not a basis for screening decisions.

Fall Creek Falls STR Opportunity

Fall Creek Falls State Park draws hundreds of thousands of annual visitors for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and waterfall tourism. Properties in the US 127 and Fall Creek Falls Road corridor can position as outdoor recreation rentals targeting group stays — family reunions, church retreats, and hiking parties are common booking types. Verify county zoning compliance before listing; Bledsoe County’s unincorporated areas are governed by county zoning rather than any city STR ordinance.

Eviction Process and the Rotating 12th District Judge

General Sessions, Circuit, and Juvenile Courts all operate out of the Bledsoe County Courthouse at 3150 Main Street in Pikeville. The 12th Judicial District judge rotates among six counties — Franklin, Grundy, Marion, Rhea, Sequatchie, and Bledsoe — meaning Bledsoe does not have a resident circuit court judge. Always call the clerk’s office at (423) 447-6488 to confirm current Bledsoe docket dates before initiating any filing. The standard Tennessee eviction timeline applies: 14-day written notice, then detainer warrant filing, court date within 6–15 days, Sheriff enforcement of writ after judgment.