What are tenant rights in Tennessee?

Tennessee tenant rights vary by county. The Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA, T.C.A. § 66-28-101) applies only to counties with 75,000+ population (originally 68,000+; check current threshold). Smaller counties follow common law and limited statutes.

1. Security Deposit — No statutory cap. Under T.C.A. § 66-28-301 (URLTA counties), landlord must hold deposit in a separate account, provide written notice of bank, and return within 30 days with itemized list of damages.

2. Habitability (URLTA Counties) — § 66-28-304 requires landlords to comply with building and housing codes; make repairs; maintain common areas, electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning systems; and provide running water and reasonable heat.

3. Tenant Remedies — § 66-28-501 provides repair-and-deduct (limited), lease termination, and damages after 14 days' written notice to landlord.

4. Notice for Entry — § 66-28-403 requires 24 hours' notice for non-emergency entry in URLTA counties.

5. Eviction Notice — § 66-28-505 (URLTA counties): 14-day pay-or-quit notice for nonpayment. Non-URLTA counties: 5 days under T.C.A. § 66-7-109.

6. Termination of Month-to-Month — § 66-28-512 requires 30 days' notice in URLTA counties.

7. Rent Control — Prohibited by T.C.A. § 66-35-102.

8. Discrimination — Tennessee Human Rights Act (§ 4-21-601) prohibits discrimination on race, color, creed, religion, sex, disability, familial status, and national origin in housing. No source-of-income or sexual orientation protection.

9. Retaliation — § 66-28-514 (URLTA counties) prohibits retaliation against tenants who complain to government or assert legal rights.

10. Lockouts — Self-help is prohibited (§ 66-28-504); landlord must use court process.

This is legal information, not legal advice.