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Tennessee Landlord - Tenant Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Military Law and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: Can a landlord require lease penalties after releasing an active military co-applicant?

I am co-applicant on a lease in Nashville, Tennessee, with my son, who is active military and has received orders to transfer to Virginia. The landlord has released him from the lease without penalty. They are, however, requiring that I pay all the associated penalties despite allowing me to rent... View More

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answered on Nov 6, 2025

Under the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, your son may terminate the lease based on PCS orders, and that termination can also cover a “dependent” (spouse, child, or someone he has supported for over half of the past 180 days). If you do not meet that dependent definition, the landlord... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Personal Injury and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: What legal steps can I take if someone disposes of my belongings without notice in Tennessee?

I recently lost my place to stay, and an older woman was helping me by allowing me to use her backyard to store my belongings. I occasionally slept there. Suddenly, all of my belongings are gone. She neither informed me nor gave me any notice before disposing of them. What legal options do I have... View More

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answered on Nov 4, 2025

Losing your belongings without warning feels brutal, and Tennessee law gives you leverage. You may pursue a civil claim for conversion—wrongful control over your property—and plead trespass to chattels in the alternative, while characterizing the arrangement as a gratuitous bailment imposing a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Personal Injury and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: What can I do if mold in my TN apartment isn't fixed?

I am experiencing a serious mold issue in my Tennessee apartment, which I reported to the apartment office 4 months ago. Despite submitting a maintenance report, no action has been taken to rectify the problem. I feel sick to my stomach whenever I stay in the apartment for a while. What legal... View More

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answered on Oct 30, 2025

Living with mold can seriously affect your health, and it’s understandable that you’re frustrated after waiting months for action. In Tennessee, landlords are legally required to maintain safe and habitable living conditions under the **Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act**. Since you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Personal Injury and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: What are my options for eviction and unresolved issues in a flooded, pest-infested basement apartment?

I was hired as a living caregiver, and my client passed away a week ago. During the time I was here, her grandson charged me rent, placing me in a basement apartment that flooded whenever it rained. The apartment was infested with bed bugs and mold, causing me to spend a lot on repairs and... View More

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answered on Oct 26, 2025

You have defenses and leverage under Tennessee’s URLTA because chronic flooding, mold, and bed bugs render a unit uninhabitable. Start by documenting everything—photos, videos, written timeline, medical records—and send a dated, written notice demanding repairs and rent abatement; call City... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Domestic Violence, Family Law, Landlord - Tenant, Gov & Administrative Law and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: How do I search for Tennessee marriage records and address eviction and abuse connected to my husband and neighbor?

I strongly believe my husband is married to our neighbor in Tennessee, but I'm unsure of the date or county. The neighbor, who is jealous of my relationship with my husband, had me evicted from our home with his involvement, leaving me in a motel. I have an eviction notice and evidence of... View More

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answered on Oct 20, 2025

You’re dealing with two fronts—proof of a second marriage and unlawful displacement—and both can be handled in parallel. To confirm whether he married your neighbor, request a Tennessee Office of Vital Records search for both names and contact the County Clerk in every plausible county (where... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: Can I fix my mobile home skirting and deduct cost from rent in TN?

I have reported an issue with my landlord about the skirting of my mobile home needing replacement. He promised to fix it, but it's been almost two years now. The damaged skirting is allowing mice to enter, and animals like cats and skunks are getting underneath my home. There's no... View More

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answered on Oct 16, 2025

No...

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Civil Litigation and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: Eviction process for belongings left by person in TN without written lease.

I own the property where a person lived with me for 3 years without a written lease. I gave them a written notice on September 1, 2025, to leave by October 1, 2025. The person moved out but left belongings behind and acknowledged via text they were in the process of moving items out. However, they... View More

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answered on Oct 15, 2025

As of October 15, 2025, Tennessee law treats this as “abandonment” only after you give the required notice and store the items for a short period. Post a notice at the property and mail the same notice to the last known address stating that you believe the premises were abandoned, that you will... View More

3 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Family Law and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: How can I legally evict non-paying occupants in my Tennessee home?

I am the owner of a house in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and have been experiencing issues with two occupants: my 18-year-old granddaughter, who has lived here most of her life, and her boyfriend, who moved in about a year ago to help with the baby. They have not paid rent and refused to leave despite... View More

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answered on Oct 13, 2025

Hire a TN attorney to file an unlawful detainer warrant. Since GrandDaughter has been there a long time, you may have a problem if she retains a good lawyer. I will not get into why here. File the action now. Sue for possession only. It must be served or posted, then judgment and then if... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Contracts, Civil Litigation and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: How long can I charge storage fees for a vehicle in my garage?

I have a situation where a vehicle has been stored in my rented garage in Johnson City, TN since July 24, 2025. The owner and I verbally agreed that the vehicle would be removed after 10 days, yet it remains in the garage. I've tried contacting the owner several times, but they have not... View More

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answered on Oct 13, 2025

Since you had a verbal agreement that the vehicle would only stay for ten days, the owner has already exceeded that timeframe. Under Tennessee law, once the agreed period ends and the owner fails to remove the vehicle, you can begin charging reasonable storage fees starting from the day after the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Contracts and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: Can I be evicted without lease violation or written notice?

I have a one-year lease and have been living in the house for 2 months. I'm current on all payments, and there have been no violations of the lease terms. However, my Mawmaw is trying to evict me, claiming I have 30 days, but hasn't given any written notice. The issue started because I... View More

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answered on Oct 12, 2025

It sounds like you’re being treated unfairly, and based on what you’ve described, your Mawmaw does not have the legal right to evict you without proper cause or notice. Since you have a **one-year lease** and have not violated its terms or missed rent payments, your landlord cannot force you to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Personal Injury, Health Care Law and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: Is it legal for a landlord in Tennessee to add a clause releasing liability for mold in a lease, and what steps can we take?

My husband and I have been tenants of a property management company for 3 years. He has been diagnosed with fibromyalgia at 32 and is experiencing severe health issues, which we suspect are due to mold in our apartment. Despite multiple requests to test and remediate the issue, our concerns are... View More

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answered on Oct 11, 2025

You and your husband are right to be concerned — mold can cause serious health problems, and landlords in Tennessee have a legal duty to maintain safe, habitable housing. Under the **Tennessee Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act**, landlords must provide and maintain rental properties... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Gov & Administrative Law, Public Benefits and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: Can Tennessee landlords request tenant's ID or SSN?

I am a property manager in Tennessee. Under Tennessee law, am I allowed to ask for or retain a copy of a tenant's ID or social security number? What are the legal conditions or requirements for doing so?

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answered on Oct 11, 2025

Yes, as a property manager in Tennessee, you are legally allowed to request and retain a tenant’s identification or Social Security number, but only for legitimate business purposes. These typically include verifying identity, conducting background or credit checks, and confirming eligibility... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Animal / Dog Law, Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: Dogs taken by animal control due to unauthorized landlord entry; facing fines. What can I do?

I have two dogs that were picked up by animal control from my property while I was not home. This occurred because my landlord entered my home without permission, and my dogs got out because of it. The landlord did not inform me of this entry. Animal control was called by a neighbor, although they... View More

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answered on Oct 10, 2025

That sounds like a really stressful situation, and it’s understandable that you feel frustrated — especially since it wasn’t your fault your dogs got out. If your landlord entered without permission and that led to your dogs escaping, you may have a strong argument that you shouldn’t be... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: Tenant received notice to vacate during month-to-month tenancy due to lease breach involving vehicle repair, notice does not comply with TCA § 66-28-512(b) regarding periodic rental date.

I am a tenant in a month-to-month rental agreement in Tennessee. I received a notice to vacate, dated September 9, 2025, requiring me to leave the property before October 13, 2025, due to a breach of a lease rule prohibiting vehicle repairs on the property. The notice was found outside my door.... View More

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answered on Oct 8, 2025

Owner must file a Detainer Warrant against you. It must be served on you or posted, then you go to Court. Ultimately owner will get a judgment for possession. If you do not leave, then the owner will get LEO to remove you. Your written notice has little bearing on anything.

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2 Answers | Asked in Probate, Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: Living in a house from grandmother's estate in TN without being an heir; what are my rights?

I'm living in a house that is part of my late grandmother's estate. I was residing here under a spoken arrangement for nearly a year prior to her death. I am not an heir, and no formal discussions or agreements about my living situation have occurred since her passing. I'm unsure of... View More

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answered on Oct 2, 2025

If Grandmother's Estate was not Probated, then there is no Probate, Executor nor Administrator. The heirs at law as tenants in common would own the property. You might want to find out who the owners are and whether taxes are paid or not.

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1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Civil Litigation, Consumer Law and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: Airbnb shower leak dispute: am I liable for damages in Tennessee?

I rented an Airbnb property and fell asleep in the shower. When I woke up, I found that the shower had leaked, causing damage. There was no sign or indication that the shower may have been faulty. The property owner claims that I am responsible for the damages and wants me to pay for their loss of... View More

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answered on Sep 30, 2025

What you are describing sounds more like an accident tied to a possible maintenance issue rather than intentional damage. As a guest, you are generally expected to use the property reasonably, but you are not automatically liable for problems that arise from faulty fixtures or poor upkeep. If the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Consumer Law and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: Are security deposits refundable if not stated, with late deduction notice in TN?

I have been renting a property for one year, and my lease did not specify any terms about the security deposit being refundable. The landlord deducted amounts from my deposit and sent the notice of deductions after the 30-day deadline. I received a receipt when I initially paid the deposit. The... View More

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answered on Sep 27, 2025

In Tennessee, security deposits are generally treated as refundable by law, even if the lease doesn’t spell that out. The purpose of the deposit is to cover damages beyond normal wear and tear, not to serve as extra rent for the landlord. Because of this, the law requires landlords to either... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Public Benefits and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: Can my brother legally force me out of our shared rental without formal eviction notice?

I have been living in a rented house with my brother for about 6 months. We verbally agreed to split the rent payments equally, but I have been unable to pay my half fully due to receiving SSI. Recently, my brother and I have had arguments about the rent, and he has been threatening to call the... View More

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answered on Sep 27, 2025

Even without a written lease, you still have rights as a tenant since you’ve been living in the home and contributing to rent. Your brother cannot legally have the police remove you just because of an argument or missed payments. In most states, the landlord or leaseholder must follow the formal... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Public Benefits and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: Can my brother legally force me to move out tomorrow if I'm unable to pay my share of rent due to SSI, living in TN?

I have been living in a house with my brother for about 6 months, and we were supposed to split the rent. However, I'm receiving SSI and haven't been able to pay my full share. My brother is now asking me to move out by tomorrow. There isn't a formal lease agreement, or if there is... View More

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answered on Sep 27, 2025

Even without a written lease, you have rights as a tenant in Tennessee since you’ve been living in the home and contributing to rent. Your brother cannot simply tell you to move out by tomorrow, because removing someone from a residence requires going through the legal eviction process. That... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Tennessee on
Q: Legal actions against landlord refusing payment and attempting eviction.

I owe my landlord $2000, which was due by September 14, 2025. An organization agreed to cover this amount by providing two checks of $1000 each. However, my landlord refused to sign for the payment, leading the organization to retract the funding. Now, my landlord is attempting to evict me without... View More

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answered on Sep 25, 2025

Since your landlord is trying to evict you without following proper procedures, you have a few protections under the law. In most states, a landlord must provide a formal notice, typically called a “pay or quit” or eviction notice, before filing an eviction in court. A letter on the door... View More

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