Cheatham County Landlord-Tenant Law

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

Cheatham County Rental Market Overview

Cheatham County (pronounced “CHEE-tum”) is one of Nashville’s quieter western suburbs — a 307-square-mile county bisected by the Cumberland River, with Ashland City on the north bank and the Harpeth River threading through its hilly southern reaches. Part of the Nashville–Davidson–Murfreesboro–Franklin MSA, Cheatham County occupies a geographic niche: close enough to Nashville for a viable commute (Ashland City is roughly 25 miles from downtown Nashville via US-12 and TN-49), yet sufficiently rural and below the radar that its housing prices have historically lagged behind Davidson, Williamson, and Robertson counties. That gap is narrowing. As Nashville’s suburban ring has expanded and remote work has reduced the cost of commuting, Pleasant View, Pegram, and Kingston Springs have attracted buyers and renters willing to accept a longer drive for lower prices and more land.

At 41,072 residents, Cheatham County falls below Tennessee’s 75,000 URLTA threshold — non-URLTA rules apply. Tenancy is governed by common law and general Title 66 provisions. General Sessions Court operates at 100 Public Square, Room 223, Ashland City. Phone: (615) 792-4866. Judge Phillip Maxey presides.

Cheatham 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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Cheatham County Landlord Guide: Nashville Commuter Market, Cumberland River Corridor, and Non-URLTA Tenancy

Cheatham County is Nashville’s quiet western flank — a county that has spent decades being overshadowed by the explosive growth of Williamson County to the south and Robertson County to the north, while steadily absorbing Nashville spillover demand on its own terms. The Cumberland River bisects the county dramatically, with Ashland City perched on its northern bank and the rolling hills of the Harpeth River watershed filling the southern half. This geography creates a scenic but logistically complex rental market where river and flood considerations, commute routes, and patchwork rural internet coverage all matter more than they would in a more uniform suburban county.

The Commuter and Remote Worker Tenant Profile

The dominant tenant profile in Cheatham County is a Nashville-employed worker or remote professional who wants land, space, and lower monthly costs than Davidson or Williamson counties can offer. Ashland City to downtown Nashville via US-12 and TN-49 is roughly 25 miles — manageable in off-peak hours, grinding in rush hour. Kingston Springs and Pegram, tucked into the Harpeth valley, also attract buyers and renters who value the Harpeth River State Park greenway access and proximity to I-40, which provides a more consistent I-40 corridor route to Nashville than the surface road alternatives. Remote workers, now a permanent feature of the Middle Tennessee rental market, are present in Cheatham County and growing. These tenants pay above-average rents relative to local income and tend to be stable, long-term renters. Screen them the same as any applicant: verify income documentation, check credit and rental history, and confirm that stated remote employment is genuine and stable.

Flood Risk and River Corridor Properties

Both the Cumberland and the Harpeth rivers flow through Cheatham County, and flooding is a documented risk for properties in low-lying areas. Before listing or leasing any property near either river corridor, verify FEMA flood zone classification. Properties in Special Flood Hazard Areas (Zone A or AE) require flood insurance if financed through federally regulated lenders, and landlords should disclose known flood history to prospective tenants. The Cheatham State Wildlife Management Area in the county’s hilly interior is less flood-prone but involves access and zoning considerations for rural parcels.

Ashland City General Sessions Court

Cheatham County General Sessions Court is located at 100 Public Square, Room 223, Ashland City, TN 37015. Phone: (615) 792-4866. Judge Phillip Maxey presides. When arriving, use the kiosk outside the General Sessions courtroom to check in. The court enforces dress code requirements — no shorts, t-shirts with inappropriate language, hats, or revealing clothing. File your detainer warrant here after the 14-day notice period expires without payment or cure. The Cheatham County Sheriff enforces writs of possession after judgment is entered.