- Home
- State laws
- Tennessee
- Security deposits
Tennessee security deposit law
Checked against the Tennessee statutes on October 1, 2026 General information, not legal advice
Key numbers
- Security deposit limit
- Not verified
- the governing section is published only through LexisNexis; not read
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301 (not read)
- Deposit return deadline
- Not verified
- the governing section is published only through LexisNexis; not read
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301 (not read)
Security deposit limit
Not readWhether Tennessee limits the size of a security deposit could not be verified. The Code provisions governing this topic were not read, so this page states neither a limit nor the absence of one.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301 (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
Returning the deposit
Not readThe deadline and itemizing rules for returning a deposit are in T.C.A. 66-28-301 where the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies. The Code provisions governing this topic were not read, so this page states no deadline.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301 (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
The Rentari Tennessee lease returns the deposit, less lawful deductions and with a written list of each deduction and its cost, within the number of days the lease states, never more than 30, after the tenancy ends and the tenant surrenders possession.
Deposit account and interest
Not readAny duty to hold deposits in a separate account, and any interest rule, could not be verified. The Code provisions governing this topic were not read.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301 (not read)
The Rentari Tennessee lease says, as its own term, that the landlord holds the deposit in an account used only for security deposits at a bank or other lending institution and tells the tenant in writing where the account is held.
Move-in and move-out inspections
Not readTennessee's inspection and damage-list rules for deposits could not be verified. The Code provisions governing this topic were not read.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301 (not read)
- Where the Act applies, 2005 and 2011 acts (Pub. Ch. 156 and 272) tied the landlord's move-out damage list to written notice of the tenant's right to an inspection. T.C.A. 66-28-301 was not read, so confirm the current procedure before withholding any of the deposit. Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301 (not read) 2005 Tenn. Pub. Acts ch. 156 (amendment summary) 2011 Tenn. Pub. Acts ch. 272 (bill summary)
The Rentari Tennessee lease lets the tenant, on request, be present at the landlord's move-out inspection, held on the day the tenant vacates or within four calendar days after.
Questions
How much can I charge for a security deposit in Tennessee?
This page could not verify a Tennessee limit: the deposit rules are in T.C.A. 66-28-301, which is published only through LexisNexis and was not read. The Rentari Tennessee lease states the amount you set.
How long do I have to return a Tennessee deposit?
Not verified here, because T.C.A. 66-28-301 could not be read. The Rentari Tennessee lease promises the return, with a written list of deductions, within the days it states, never more than 30.