Tenant Rulebook
General information from state law and official guides, not legal advice. Cities and counties can add their own rules.

All states

Landlord and tenant rules in Tennessee

The statewide rules on deposits, notice, entry and rent in Tennessee, mainly from the Tennessee Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Tenn. Code Ann. title 66 chapter 28) and section 66-35-102. Checked 29 October 2026.

Security deposits and fees

Security deposit limit

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Deposit return deadline

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Interest on deposits

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Late fees

5-day grace period, max 10% of rent past due (URLTA counties only)1,2,3Tenn. Code 66-28-201(d)

In counties covered by the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (more than 75,000 people in the 2010 census), no late fee may be charged until a five-day grace period ends, and the fee may not be more than 10% of the rent past due. Other counties follow different rules.

Notice, entry and rent

Tenant ending a month-to-month tenancy

30 days (URLTA counties only)4,5,3Tenn. Code 66-28-512(b)

In counties covered by the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (those with more than 75,000 people in the 2010 census), either side can end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice given at least 30 days before the rent date named in the notice. Other counties follow different rules.

Landlord ending a month-to-month tenancy

30 days (URLTA counties only)4,5,3Tenn. Code 66-28-512(b)

In counties covered by the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (those with more than 75,000 people in the 2010 census), either side can end a month-to-month tenancy with written notice given at least 30 days before the rent date named in the notice. Other counties follow different rules.

Notice of a rent increase

Not yet confirmed

We have not confirmed this from an official source, so we show no figure.

Statewide rent limits

Preempted6,7Tenn. Code 66-35-102(a)

This rule applies in every county. Local governments may not adopt or enforce rules that control the amount of rent charged for private housing.

Landlord entry

No general notice rule, 24 hours for showings near the end of a tenancy (URLTA counties only)8,9,3Tenn. Code 66-28-403

In counties covered by the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, no general notice period is set, but the tenant may not unreasonably refuse entry, and the landlord may enter without consent in an emergency. Showing the unit to new renters in the last 30 days requires a lease clause and 24 hours' notice.

Notice for unpaid rent

14 days (URLTA counties only)10,11,3Tenn. Code 66-28-505(a)(2)

In counties covered by the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (more than 75,000 people in the 2010 census), the landlord may give written notice that the lease ends unless the tenant pays within 14 days of receiving it. Other counties follow different rules.

Many cities and counties add their own rules, such as rent stabilization or longer notice periods, and a lease can give a tenant more protection than the law requires. Check your local housing office or a legal aid group before you act.

Sources

  1. Tenn. Code 66-28-201 (2025 code), Justia (quotes state code)secondary
  2. Tenn. Code 66-28-201, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2024-01-02secondary
  3. Tenn. Code 66-28-102 (2025 code), Justia (quotes state code)secondary
  4. Tenn. Code 66-28-512 (2025 code), Justia (quotes state code)secondary
  5. Tenn. Code 66-28-512, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2024-01-02secondary
  6. Tenn. Code 66-35-102 (2025 code), Justia (quotes state code)secondary
  7. Tenn. Code 66-35-102, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2024-01-02secondary
  8. Tenn. Code 66-28-403 (2025), Justia (quotes state code)secondary
  9. Tenn. Code 66-28-403, FindLaw (quotes state code)secondary
  10. Tenn. Code 66-28-505 (2025 code), Justia (quotes state code)secondary
  11. Tenn. Code 66-28-505, FindLaw (quotes state code), 2024-01-02secondary

"Secondary" sources reproduce the official text. We use them only where the official site could not be read.