Blount County Landlord-Tenant Law

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

Blount County Rental Market Overview

Blount County sits at one of Tennessee’s most strategically interesting geographic intersections: the southern edge of the Knoxville metropolitan area and the northern gateway to Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Maryville and Alcoa anchor a substantial industrial and manufacturing base — including DENSO Manufacturing, Arconic (the former Alcoa aluminum operations), Clayton Homes, and McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base — while the county’s southern reaches toward Townsend and Walland feed directly into the Smokies tourism corridor. This dual character creates two distinct rental demand streams: a steady workforce housing market tied to manufacturing and Knoxville commuter demand, and a vacation/short-term rental market that tracks Smokies visitation.

With a 2020 population of 135,280, Blount County comfortably clears the URLTA threshold. Tennessee’s Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies in full. Evictions proceed through General Sessions Court, which operates four divisions out of the Blount County Justice Center in Maryville. The 5th Judicial District governs circuit-level matters.

Blount 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.

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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.

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Blount County Landlord Guide: Smokies Gateway, Manufacturing Employment, and URLTA Compliance

Blount County is one of the larger and more economically diverse counties in East Tennessee, and its rental market reflects that complexity. At one extreme, the Townsend corridor functions as the quiet entrance to Great Smoky Mountains National Park — “the peaceful side of the Smokies” — drawing cabin renters, hikers, and nature tourists year-round. At the other extreme, the Maryville-Alcoa urban core is a Knoxville suburb with a substantial manufacturing employment base, strong school systems, and a stable professional rental market.

The STR vs. Annual Lease Decision in Blount County

For landlords with properties in the Townsend, Walland, or Wears Valley corridors, the decision between short-term vacation rental and annual lease is the most consequential strategic choice they face. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited national park in the United States, drawing well over 12 million visitors annually. Unlike Sevier County’s Pigeon Forge-Gatlinburg commercial strip, Blount County’s Smokies access points draw visitors seeking a quieter, more natural experience — and those visitors are often willing to pay premium rates for well-appointed private rentals. Properties with mountain views, proximity to hiking trailheads, or access to Little River can command strong per-night STR rates that exceed annual lease returns in favorable seasons.

The counterargument is volatility and management intensity. STR income in Blount County is seasonally concentrated, with spring wildflower season (April–May), fall foliage (October–November), and summer family vacation periods generating the bulk of revenue. Winter, while still active in the Smokies, is softer. Properties that cannot sustain occupancy in shoulder seasons may find annual leases more reliable on a risk-adjusted basis.

URLTA in a Large URLTA County

Blount County’s population of 135,280 makes URLTA application unambiguous. Landlords must maintain premises under T.C.A. § 66-28-304, respond to maintenance requests within a reasonable time (courts have generally treated 14 days as reasonable for non-emergencies), and understand that tenants may exercise repair-and-deduct rights under T.C.A. § 66-28-502 after proper written notice. The anti-retaliation provision (T.C.A. § 66-28-514) applies — do not begin eviction proceedings within 60 days of a habitability complaint without independent documented cause.

General Sessions Court — Four Divisions

Blount County General Sessions Court operates four divisions at the Blount County Justice Center at 926 East Lamar Alexander Parkway in Maryville. Phone: (865) 273-5450. Hours are Monday through Friday 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Four judges serve the divisions, providing regular docket availability. File the detainer warrant after your 14-day notice period expires without payment or cure. The Blount County Sheriff (940 E. Lamar Alexander Pkwy) enforces writs of possession after judgment.