Tennessee Landlord-Tenant Laws
This overview summarizes common Tennessee landlord-tenant topics using published statute references (Tennessee Code 66-28). Laws change — confirm details with official sources.
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Security Deposit Laws
No statutory limit
No fixed deadline found
Not confirmed by LeaseCraft
The rule: No statewide deposit limit was found. In counties covered by the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (population over 75,000), the landlord must keep deposits in a separate account at a regulated bank and prepare a move-out damage list; without both, the landlord may not keep any of the deposit. A fixed refund deadline could not be confirmed from the official text, so none is shown (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301).
Landlords should provide an itemized deduction list when withholding any portion of the deposit.
Eviction Notice Requirements
14 days notice
14 days notice
Court filing and service rules vary by county. Use our eviction timeline calculator for planning.
Notice to Vacate
30 days notice
No notice required if lease ends
Late Rent Fees
5 days
10% of rent
Additional Regulations
No statewide rent control
No statutory requirement
When to use Tennessee document templates
Use LeaseCraft templates when you need PDF and editable DOCX lease and notice forms built for Tennessee landlords and tenants. Start with the residential lease generator, then add notices from the sidebar.
Common mistakes in Tennessee
- Relying on verbal agreements instead of a written lease with required disclosures
- Missing a security deposit return or itemized-statement requirement
- Serving eviction or termination notices with incorrect day counts
Frequently asked questions
Tennessee sets no statewide security deposit limit. No fixed deadline for returning the deposit was found. No statewide deposit limit was found. In counties covered by the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (population over 75,000), the landlord must keep deposits in a separate account at a regulated bank and prepare a move-out damage list; without both, the landlord may not keep any of the deposit. A fixed refund deadline could not be confirmed from the official text, so none is shown (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301).
Confirm current rules in Tennessee Code 66-28.
Disclaimer: Educational summary only, not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in your state for specific guidance. LeaseCraft is not a law firm. Statutes change — verify requirements with official Tennessee sources before relying on this information. Last reviewed: 2026-06-18.