Wondering about the Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law 2024? Well, we are here to help you out with the updated rules and regulations about this law. It is one of the great places for the rental market and student accommodations. There are a variety of options for students to find their home away from home. However, it is important to make yourself aware of all the rights, clauses, and eviction clauses as per Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law. So, without further ado, let’s get into it.
Table of contents
Lease Agreements as per Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law
As mandated in Tennessee Code Annotated (Title 66) and the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, a rental agreement in Tennessee should include property details, payment clauses, security deposit, and all other information related to the property. Tennessee law does not mandate a specific lease format, but it requires that the lease be clear and comprehensive. Written leases are highly recommended to avoid disputes and ensure that all terms are legally binding.
Payment Clauses Under Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law
As per Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law, the landlord is allowed to collect the rent from the tenant. Rents should be paid on the first of every month, if not mandated otherwise in the tenancy agreement. There are no rent control policies as mandated in this law. Tennessee law does not impose specific requirements on grace periods or late fees, so the lease agreement should clearly outline these terms.
Rent Payment
Also as per Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law, there are no limits on the amount of the rent the landlord can increase. There are no proper rules and regulations so, it is supposed that the landlords don’t have to give the advanced notice before raising the rent. As mandated in this law, landlords must provide a 14-day notice to pay or vacate before taking further legal action if a tenant fails to pay rent. And, If the tenant does not comply, landlords can file for eviction in court.
Security Deposits
Security deposits protect landlords against damage or unpaid rent. As per the Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law, a landlord isn’t required to collect a security deposit from their tenant if they don’t want to. Also, there are no limits to the amount of security deposit as mandated by Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law. However, the security deposit should be of a reasonable amount or landlords may charge up to two months’ rent.
Refund of Security Deposit
As mandated in Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law, landlords must return the deposit within 30 days, minus any deductions for damage or unpaid rent. If deductions are made, landlords must provide an itemised list of damages due to which deductions were made. In case the landlord fails to refund the security deposit within 30 days, the tenant may approach for legal help.
Further Read: Feeling overwhelmed by California’s rental rules? Check out our student-friendly guide to California landlord-tenant laws and get the essential tips for your lease with ease!
Rights and Responsibilities of Landlord and Tenant
There is a set of rules and obligations, that must be followed by both landlord and tenant as mandated under this law. If any of the parties fail to comply with the law, they may be exposed to legal action from the other party.
Rights and Responsibilities of Landlord
As per this law, the landlord must provide a habitable environment to the tenant. It should be clean and in a safe condition. The landlord can collect a suitable amount of rent and also a security deposit to cover excessive damages to the property or unpaid bills. The landlord has the right to evict the tenant from the property if the tenant violates the tenancy agreement as mandated by Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law 2024.
The landlord must complete the repairs within 14 days after the request of the tenant. If the repair is about the essential services, then it should be done either immediately or as soon as possible. Apart from maintaining the local building and housing codes, the landlord also has to maintain appropriate receptacles for waste materials; this is to keep the property in a fit and habitable condition.
Rights and Responsibilities of Tenant
The tenants have the right to live in a habitable, safe, and clean environment as mandated by this law. To maintain a good and healthy relationship throughout your academic stay, be sure to pay your rent on time. Also, it is your duty to keep the premises and common areas clean and liveable. And it is the responsibility of the tenant not to create any nuisance for neighbours and to complete the minor repairs and maintenance to common appliances.
Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for exercising their legal rights, such as requesting repairs or reporting violations. In that case, the tenant has the right to protection from retaliation as mandated by the Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law. And, the tenant also got the right to privacy under Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law. The landlord must provide reasonable notice before entering the rental property, except in emergencies.
Termination Under Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law
As per the law, with a minimum amount of notice, a tenant can terminate the lease. In the case of a weekly lease – 10 days’ notice and 30 days’ notice for a monthly lease are required to terminate the lease. However, if there is a breach of lease or harassment from the landlord, active military duty, unacceptable living conditions or an early termination clause, the tenant can terminate the lease early.
Eviction Under Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law
Under Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law, the tenant can break the lease and can evict the tenant in various situations like:
- Breaches in the lease.
- Landlord harassment.
- Active military duty.
- Unacceptable living conditions.
- Early termination clause.
Before initiating eviction proceedings, landlords must provide the tenant with a written notice specifying the reason for eviction and a timeframe to vacate. As per the law, 14 days’ notice is required to cure or quit in case of lease breach, five days’ notice in case of non-payment of rent, and 3 days’ notice to vacate in case of criminal activity. If the tenant does not leave, the landlord can file an eviction lawsuit in the local court as mandated under Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law. A court will review the case, and if the landlord prevails, the tenant will be ordered to vacate the property.
Recommended Read: Ready to know the ins and outs of student accommodation in the Lone Star State? Check out our ultimate guide to Texas landlord-tenant laws.
FAQs
As per Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law, a landlord can charge up to two months’ rent as a security deposit. However, this limit helps ensure that security deposits are fair and manageable for tenants.
Landlords must return a tenant’s security deposit within 30 days of the lease ending as mandated under Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law. If deductions are made for damages or unpaid rent, landlords must provide an itemised list of these deductions along with the remaining deposit.
No, a landlord cannot evict a tenant without going through the legal process as mandated under Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law. In Tennessee, landlords must file an eviction lawsuit in court if a tenant does not leave after receiving proper notice. Self-help evictions, such as changing locks or shutting off utilities, are illegal.
For a month-to-month lease, either party must give at least 30 days written notice to end the lease as mandated under Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law. This notice allows both the landlord and tenant time to make alternative arrangements.
No, landlords in Tennessee must provide reasonable notice before entering a rental property, except in emergencies. As per the Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law, the lease agreement may specify the notice period, but generally, a 24-hour notice is considered reasonable.
Hope you liked reading about the Tennessee Landlord Tenant Law. For a stress-free stay during your study abroad adventure, choose Fly Homes. Call 1800572118 to reserve your ideal student accommodation abroad with ease.
Follow Us on Social Media
