Hendersonville, TN asked in Landlord - Tenant for Tennessee

Q: What is the law regarding the return of housing security deposits in Tennessee for rural areas?

I live in a rural area in Tennessee that is not covered under The Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. I received a notice to vacate on March 7, 2019. I paid the next months rent and vacated the property on the April 15, 2019. I asked for an inspection of the property to be completed that day but the property manager is refusing to complete one. I originally paid a security deposit to the owner of the house in 2013. However, in 2014 she turned management of the property over to a realty company and I signed a new one year lease. The management company acts as if they are not responsible for the return of my deposit because it was not paid to them. They refuse to do a move out inspection of the property. Are they required to do an inspection within a certain time frame and for the return of my security deposit? I can’t find any information regarding this matter. The rental is located in Cocke County, Tennessee.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Anthony M. Avery
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Answered
  • Landlord Tenant Lawyer
  • Knoxville, TN
  • Licensed in Tennessee

A: All you can do is sue for the Security Deposit back as a Breach of Contract. If you had a written Lease, it may have had a term dealing with the same. You could sue the Owner pro se in Sessions Court, but it would be better with an attorney. If the amount is under $700, you might not want to worry with it.

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