Tennessee eviction law

The notice before an eviction for unpaid rent is in T.C.A. 66-28-505 where the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies and in T.C.A. 66-7-109 elsewhere. The Code provisions governing this topic were not read, so this page states no day count.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-505 (not read) Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-7-109 (not read)

• The Act applies in counties with more than 75,000 residents according to the 2010 federal census, subject to the exclusions in 66-28-102. Check the county census and occupancy type before applying this rule; the separate title 66, chapter 7 rules were not reviewed. Tennessee Legislature Code access: T.C.A. 66-28-102 See Which Tennessee law applies on the Tennessee page

Notice and cure rules for other lease breaches are in T.C.A. 66-28-505 where the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies and in T.C.A. 66-7-109 elsewhere. The Code provisions governing this topic were not read, so this page states no cure period.

Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-505 (not read) Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-7-109 (not read)

• A separate, shorter termination route for certain violent conduct is in T.C.A. 66-28-517 where the Act applies and, elsewhere, in a 2015 act (Pub. Ch. 172) that exempts tenants who are mentally or physically disabled. Neither was read, so no grounds or day count are stated here. Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-517 (not read) 2015 Tenn. Pub. Acts ch. 172 (as-enacted summary)

A detainer warrant begins the court case for possession; it is different from the later writ used to enforce a possession judgment. Check the appropriate county court for its filing, service and hearing requirements. The required notice depends on the tenancy, the lease and which Tennessee rental law applies. This guide does not supply a complete set of court deadlines.

Tenn. Code Ann. title 29, chapter 18 (not read) Tennessee Courts: Tipton County General Sessions local rules, detainer warrants and writs

• A 2026 act (Pub. Ch. 657), effective April 1, 2026, bars certain people involved in serving eviction papers from publishing or streaming video of the service without the served person's written permission, and lets that person sue. Its text was not read. 2026 Tenn. Pub. Acts ch. 657 (as-enacted summary)
• Prepare the signed lease, amendments, relevant notices and delivery records, rent ledger, receipts, messages and dated photographs. Organize them by the issue the court must decide, with payments and credits clearly recorded. As a local example, Tipton County publishes rules requiring plaintiffs to bring the signed lease, notice and supporting evidence with the necessary copies. Check your own county's current instructions; that local requirement is not a statewide filing checklist. Tennessee Courts: Tipton County General Sessions local rules, detainer warrants and writs

Tennessee's rules on self-help eviction and utility shutoffs could not be verified. The Code provisions governing this topic were not read. Recover possession only through the courts.

Tenn. Code Ann. title 66, chapter 28 (not read)

Where the Act applies, a 2005 act (Pub. Ch. 156) set an abandonment procedure. It requires a notice posted at the home and mailed to the tenant, a waiting period before re-entry, a longer one before remaining possessions may be disposed of, and a court case if the tenant says they will stay. The current section was not read and may have been amended, so confirm the periods before re-entering or disposing of property.

Tenn. Code Ann. title 66, chapter 28 (not read) 2005 Tenn. Pub. Acts ch. 156 (amendment summary)

Where the Act applies, a landlord may not retaliate by increasing rent, decreasing services, or bringing or threatening a possession action because the tenant complained to the landlord about a violation under 66-28-301 or exercised a right or remedy under the Act. Section 66-28-514 states no fixed retaliation-presumption period.

Tennessee Legislature Code access: T.C.A. 66-28-514(a)

• The section permits a possession action despite its retaliation rule when the tenant, household or someone present with the tenant's consent caused the complained-of code violation through lack of reasonable care; the tenant is in rent default; or code compliance requires work that deprives the tenant of use of the unit. Such an action does not release liability under 66-28-501(b), whose full remedy text was not reviewed here. Tennessee Legislature Code access: T.C.A. 66-28-514(b)
• The Rentari lease separately promises broader protections, including agency complaints and tenant organization activity. Those lease terms should not be treated as a quotation of 66-28-514. Other statutory protections, incorporated 66-28-301 and case law were not independently reviewed in this update. Tennessee Legislature Code access: T.C.A. 66-28-514