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Landlord Friendly · Rank #15 of 51

Tennessee
Landlord Laws
2026 Complete Guide

Everything a landlord needs to know about Tennessee law — eviction process, security deposits, entry rights, rent control status, and local court resources.

8
out of 10 · Landlord Friendly
📋
Notice Period
14 days
⏱️
Full Eviction
~30 days
💰
Deposit Max
None
🔑
Entry Notice
24 hrs
💳
Late Fee Cap
10%
Rent Control
No
Live Market Data · RentCast

Tennessee Rental Market

Current rents by bedroom · top metro breakdowns · YoY trend

Mar 29, 2026
1 Bedroom
$868
2 Bedrooms
$1,245
3 Bedrooms
$1,698
YoY Trend
-8.8%
Days on Market
38d
Nashville S
37211
1BR$1,085
2BR$1,595
3BR$2,300
YoY
-15%
DOM
59.3d
Listings
280
Memphis SW
38109
1BR$650
2BR$895
3BR$1,095
YoY
-2.7%
DOM
16.96d
Listings
239

Tennessee Eviction Process

Complete timeline for removing a non-paying or violating tenant in Tennessee

01
Serve Notice
14-day written notice for non-payment of rent. Must be delivered personally or posted on door.
02
File Complaint
If tenant fails to pay or vacate after 14 days, file an eviction complaint at your local court. Filing fee: $80–$180.
03
Court Hearing
Hearing typically scheduled 7–14 days after filing. Bring your lease, all notices, rent ledger, and any communications with the tenant.
04
Judgment & Possession
If you win, the court issues a judgment for possession. Tenant typically has 24–72 hours to vacate. If not, obtain a writ of possession.
ESTIMATED TOTAL TIMELINE
Notice (14d)
Filing + Hearing (14d)
Judgment (7d)
3d
Average total: 30 days from notice to possession. US average is ~50 days.

Security Deposit Rules

Tennessee security deposit laws, limits, and return requirements

💰
Maximum Deposit
None
Per current statutes
📅
Return Deadline
14–45 days
After tenant vacates
📋
Itemization Required
Yes
Written itemization of deductions
📈
Interest Required
No
Required in some high-reg states

Rights & Responsibilities

What both parties are entitled to under Tennessee law

✅ Landlord Rights
No deposit cap
No rent control
Landlord-favorable URLTA provisions
⚖️ Tenant Rights
Habitability
14-day cure period

Required Disclosures

Items you must disclose to tenants in Tennessee before or at lease signing

📄 Lead paint

Rent Control Status

Tennessee rent increase and rent control laws

No Rent Control in Tennessee
Tennessee has no statewide rent control law. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice (typically 30 days for month-to-month, or at lease end for fixed terms). Late fees are subject to a cap: 10%.

Tennessee Landlord FAQs

Common questions answered — also powers Google rich results

How long does eviction take in Tennessee?+
The average eviction timeline in Tennessee is 30 days from notice to possession. The pay-or-quit notice period is 14 days. Filing fee is $80–$180.
What is the security deposit limit in Tennessee?+
In Tennessee, the security deposit maximum is None. Landlords must return the deposit with an itemized statement of deductions.
Does Tennessee have rent control?+
No. Tennessee has no statewide rent control. You can raise rents by any amount with proper notice — typically 30 days for month-to-month tenancies.
How much entry notice is required in Tennessee?+
Landlords in Tennessee must provide at least 24 hours written notice before entering a rental unit.

Compare Similar States

States with comparable landlord-friendliness scores

Alabama
8
30d eviction · 1 month
Arizona
9
21d eviction · 1.5 months
Arkansas
9
21d eviction · 2 months
Florida
8
30d eviction · None
← All StatesEviction Resources →