Tennessee Landlord-Tenant Laws

Prior to occupancy

• Deposits must be in separate account used only for security deposits
• Account must be in bank or lending institution regulated by Tennessee or US government
• Prospective tenants must be informed of account location
• Account location notice required but account number not required
• Applies to all residential landlords requiring security deposits

After tenant vacates with unpaid amounts

• Landlord may deduct for unpaid rent
• Landlord may deduct for other amounts due per rental agreement
• Landlord may deduct for damages beyond normal wear and tear
• Deductions must be itemized in damage listing
• Landlord must provide estimated cost of repairs
• +2 more requirements

• 30 days
• 14 days to remedy breach
• 14 days notice (no cure) if substantially similar breach within 6 months

• Landlord must deliver written notice specifying the breach
• Notice must state rental agreement will terminate in 30 days
• If breach not remedied in 14 days, rental agreement terminates as provided in notice
• If breach is remediable by repairs, payment, or otherwise, tenant must adequately remedy
• If substantially same breach occurs within 6 months, landlord may terminate with 14 days notice
• +2 more requirements

• 30 days written notice
• 10 days written notice

• Week-to-week tenancy requires 10 days written notice
• Month-to-month tenancy requires 30 days written notice
• Notice must be given at least specified days prior to termination date
• If tenant remains after proper notice, landlord may bring action for possession
• Action for possession allowed if holdover is willful and not in good faith
• +1 more requirements

Ongoing obligation during tenancy

• Tenant must maintain dwelling in clean and safe condition
• Tenant must comply with health and safety codes
• Tenant must dispose of waste properly
• Tenant must use facilities and appliances properly
• Tenant must not damage or remove fixtures
• +2 more requirements

Tennessee statute does not specify advance notice requirement

• Tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent to entry
• Landlord may enter to inspect premises
• Landlord may enter to make repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements
• Landlord may enter to supply necessary or agreed services
• Landlord may enter to show unit to prospective purchasers, tenants, or contractors
• +5 more requirements

• 5 days from due date
• If day 5 falls on weekend/holiday, due next business day
• May be charged after grace period expires

• 5-day grace period required before late fee can be charged
• Late fee cannot exceed 10% of amount of rent past due
• If grace period ends on Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, no fee until next business day
• For public housing tenants: late fee cannot exceed $5.00 per month
• Public housing limit applies to counties with population 250,000-300,000 (per 1980 census)
• +2 more requirements

• 30 days absence without payment = presumed abandonment
• 15 days nonpayment + other indicators
• Landlord must post and mail notice after 15 days nonpayment
• 10 days after posting/mailing notice
• 30 days after reentry to dispose of property

• Extended absence of 30+ days without paying rent = prima facie abandonment
• Landlord may reenter and take possession after 30 day absence
• For 15 day nonpayment: landlord must post notice at premises and mail to tenant
• Notice must state: (a) belief in abandonment, (b) intention to reenter in 10 days, (c) intent to rerent if not contacted, (d) disposal of property in 30 days, (e) landlord phone/address
• If tenant doesn't contact landlord within 10 days, landlord may reenter
• +3 more requirements