--- title: "Tennessee Landlord Rules: Deposits, Notices, Evictions | MCC" description: "Tennessee landlord-tenant rules: 30-day notice to end month-to-month, 14-day notice for unpaid rent, $25,000 small claims limit. Official sources linked." url: "https://mcc-solutionsnj.com/tools/tennessee-landlord-rules" --- Free tool · Tennessee · Landlords and tenants # Tennessee landlord rules: deposits, notices and the eviction steps The deposit rules, notice periods, eviction case and small claims limit for Tennessee, each from the state's own pages or courts. **Sources checked:** November 2026 **Quick answer.** Tennessee: 30-day notice to end month-to-month; 14-day notice for unpaid rent; $25,000 small claims limit. 10 of 23 items are confirmed on official pages; 13 are marked not confirmed, with the page to check. ## Key numbers Month-to-month notice (landlord) 30 days Unpaid rent notice 14 days Entry notice See the rule Writ to lockout 10 days (from judgment) Small claims limit $25,000 ## Security deposit (0 of 6 confirmed) - ### Not confirmedDeposit limit Not confirmed — check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf). Not confirmed from official text. Check Tenn. Code 66-28-301 (the General Assembly links to the official publisher). - ### Not confirmedReturn deadline Not confirmed — check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf). Not confirmed from official text. Check Tenn. Code 66-28-301 (the General Assembly links to the official publisher). - ### Not confirmedItemized list of deductions Not confirmed — check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf). Not confirmed from official text. Check Tenn. Code 66-28-301 (the General Assembly links to the official publisher). - ### Not confirmedInterest on the deposit Not confirmed — check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf). Not confirmed from official text. Check Tenn. Code 66-28-301 (the General Assembly links to the official publisher). - ### Not confirmedWhere the deposit is held Not confirmed — check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf). Not confirmed from official text. Check Tenn. Code 66-28-301 (the General Assembly links to the official publisher). - ### Not confirmedPenalty the law states Not confirmed — check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf). Not confirmed from official text. Check Tenn. Code 66-28-301 (the General Assembly links to the official publisher). More: [Security deposit rules by state](/tools/security-deposit-rules-by-state#st-TN) · [Deposit return deadline calculator](/tools/security-deposit-return-deadline-calculator?state=TN) ## Notice periods (5 of 6 confirmed) What the official text says about each notice. Cities and counties can add their own notice, just-cause or rent rules. Check local rules too. Need the other side served? [Process serving with an affidavit of service](/notary/process-serving). | Notice | Rule | Source | | --- | --- | --- | | Ending month-to-month (landlord) | Where Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies (the counties in T.C.A. 66-28-102): written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice (10 days for week-to-week). Either side may give it. Outside those counties, check T.C.A. Title 66, Chapter 7. The text: "The landlord or the tenant may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by a written notice given to the other" "at least thirty (30) days prior to the periodic rental date specified in the notice." | Sources: [FindLaw Codes (secondary source): T.C.A. 66-28-512, current as of January 2, 2024](https://codes.findlaw.com/tn/title-66-property/tn-code-sect-66-28-512.html); [Justia (statute text) (secondary source): 2018 Tennessee Code 66-28-512](https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2018/title-66/chapter-28/part-5/section-66-28-512/), checked November 2026 (T.C.A. 66-28-512(a), (b)) | | Ending month-to-month (tenant) | Where Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies (the counties in T.C.A. 66-28-102): written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice (10 days for week-to-week). Either side may give it. Outside those counties, check T.C.A. Title 66, Chapter 7. The text: "The landlord or the tenant may terminate a month-to-month tenancy by a written notice given to the other" "at least thirty (30) days prior to the periodic rental date specified in the notice." | Sources: [FindLaw Codes (secondary source): T.C.A. 66-28-512, current as of January 2, 2024](https://codes.findlaw.com/tn/title-66-property/tn-code-sect-66-28-512.html); [Justia (statute text) (secondary source): 2018 Tennessee Code 66-28-512](https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2018/title-66/chapter-28/part-5/section-66-28-512/), checked November 2026 (T.C.A. 66-28-512(a), (b)) | | Rent increase notice | Not confirmed — check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (Legal Aid Society booklet, 8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf). Not confirmed. The Department of Health's renters' booklet doesn't state it. Check T.C.A. Title 66, Chapters 7 and 28. | | | Unpaid rent notice | For rent paid every two weeks or monthly: 14 days' notice when rent wasn't paid on time. If the rent is paid within those 14 days, the landlord can't evict for it, unless the same thing happens again within 6 months. | Source: [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (Legal Aid Society booklet, 8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf), checked November 2026 | | Entry notice | Except in an emergency, the landlord can't come in without the tenant's OK. The booklet states no notice period. | Source: [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (Legal Aid Society booklet, 8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf), checked November 2026 | | Late fee limits | Where Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies (the counties in T.C.A. 66-28-102): a five-day grace period counting the due date; if the fifth day is a Sunday or legal holiday, no late fee when rent is paid the next business day. Any late charge can't exceed 10% of the rent past due. Outside those counties, check the lease and T.C.A. Title 66, Chapter 7. The text: "There shall be a five-day grace period"; "The date the rent was due shall be included in the calculation"; the fee "shall not exceed ten percent (10%) of the amount of rent past due." | Sources: [FindLaw Codes (secondary source): T.C.A. 66-28-201, current as of January 2, 2024](https://codes.findlaw.com/tn/title-66-property/tn-code-sect-66-28-201/); [Justia (statute text) (secondary source): 2019 Tennessee Code 66-28-201](https://law.justia.com/codes/tennessee/2019/title-66/chapter-28/part-2/section-66-28-201), checked November 2026 (T.C.A. 66-28-201(d)) | The renters' booklet covers all Tennessee counties except 17 it lists (including Davidson, Shelby and Knox), where renters have different rights. More: [Notice periods by state](/tools/landlord-tenant-notice-periods-by-state#st-TN) · [Notice date calculator](/tools/notice-date-calculator?state=TN) ## Eviction case, in order (4 of 10 confirmed) - **Notice before filing** The written notice comes first; its length is in the notice table above.Unpaid rent: For rent paid every two weeks or monthly: 14 days' notice when rent wasn't paid on time. If the rent is paid within those 14 days, the landlord can't evict for it, unless the same thing happens again within 6 months. - **Filing the case** Where the case goes and what it costs to start. #### Not confirmedCourt Not confirmed — check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf). Not confirmed on an official page we opened. - #### Not confirmedFiling fee Not confirmed — check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf). Not confirmed on an official page we opened. - **The tenant's answer or appearance** #### Not confirmedTime to answer or appear Not confirmed — check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf). Not confirmed on an official page we opened. - **Hearing or trial** #### ConfirmedHearing after filing The court date must be at least 6 days after the tenant gets the warrant (the earliest date here assumes delivery on the filing day).The court date must be at least 6 days after you get the warrant. Source: [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf), checked November 2026 - **Judgment and the writ** The order that lets the officer act. #### Not confirmedJudgment to writ Not confirmed — check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf). Not confirmed on an official page we opened. - **Lockout** Carried out by an officer, not by either side. #### ConfirmedWrit to lockout A tenant who loses has at least 10 more days; after that the sheriff's department can set the tenant out.After 10 days, the sheriff's department can set you and your stuff out. Source: [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf), checked November 2026 - #### ConfirmedWho carries out the lockout The sheriff's department carries out the set-out; a deputy usually delivers the warrant.After 10 days, the sheriff's department can set you and your stuff out. Source: [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf), checked November 2026 - **Along the way** Paying to stop the case, counsel and diversion programs. #### Not confirmedPaying to stop the case Not confirmed — check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf). Not confirmed on an official page we opened. - #### ConfirmedRight to counsel (statewide) No statewide right to counsel for tenants in eviction cases (as of November 2026, per the National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel): its tracker of enacted laws lists no statewide law here. Local: Nashville (2026) have their own right-to-counsel laws.An eviction right to counsel is created by an enacted law that, at a minimum: Source: [National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel (secondary source): National Coalition for a Civil Right to Counsel: Enacted Eviction Right to Counsel and Eviction Defense Programs (last modified November 2026)](https://civilrighttocounsel.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/RTC_Enacted_Legislation_in_Eviction_Proceedings_FINAL.pdf), checked November 2026 - #### Not confirmedDiversion or mediation (statewide) Not confirmed — check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf). Not confirmed on an official page we opened. The state court site couldn't be read (it shows only a browser check), so these facts come from a renters' booklet on the Department of Health's site. Either side may appeal within 10 days. ### Example: a case filed Monday, March 1, 2027 The earliest date of each stage the confirmed rules allow, from our eviction timeline estimator. Earliest under the statute; courts' calendars often take longer. | Stage | Earliest date | | --- | --- | | Case filed | Monday, March 1, 2027 | | Hearing or trial | Sunday, March 7, 2027 | | Judgment | Sunday, March 7, 2027 | | Earliest lockout | Wednesday, March 17, 2027 | Help the official pages name: The Legal Aid Society for the area, 1-800-238-1443. More: [Eviction process timeline by state](/tools/eviction-process-timeline-by-state) · [Eviction timeline estimator](/tools/eviction-timeline-estimator?state=tn) ## Deposit disputes: small claims - ### ConfirmedSmall claims limit (for a deposit dispute) $25,000: the most a small claims case can ask for.Tennessee has no separate small claims court; civil claims are heard in General Sessions Court. The Hamilton County Circuit Court Clerk says these suits may not exceed $25,000; larger claims go to Circuit Court. The University of Tennessee CTAS also gives $25,000 in all counties (T.C.A. 16-15-501), with unlimited jurisdiction for forcible entry and detainer. Source: [Hamilton County (Tennessee) Circuit Court Clerk: All About Sessions Civil Court](https://hamiltontn.gov/Sessions_Civil_FAQ.aspx), checked November 2026 More: [Small claims court limits by state](/tools/small-claims-court-limits-by-state) ## Still to confirm - Deposit limit: check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf) - Return deadline: check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf) - Itemized list of deductions: check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf) - Interest on the deposit: check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf) - Where the deposit is held: check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf) - Penalty the law states: check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf) - Rent increase notice: check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (Legal Aid Society booklet, 8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf) - Court: check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf) - Filing fee: check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf) - Time to answer or appear: check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf) - Judgment to writ: check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf) - Paying to stop the case: check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf) - Diversion or mediation (statewide): check [Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15)](https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf) General information, not legal advice. We are not lawyers, and MCC Solutions is not a law firm. The same rules apply whichever side of the lease you are on; this page describes them and doesn't take a side. Rules change, cities and counties can add their own, a lease can add terms, and the official source has the final word. ## Common questions **How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Tennessee?** From the landlord: Where Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies (the counties in T.C.A. 66-28-102): written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice (10 days for week-to-week). Either side may give it. Outside those counties, check T.C.A. Title 66, Chapter 7. From the tenant: Where Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies (the counties in T.C.A. 66-28-102): written notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date named in the notice (10 days for week-to-week). Either side may give it. Outside those counties, check T.C.A. Title 66, Chapter 7. **What notice comes before an unpaid-rent case in Tennessee?** For rent paid every two weeks or monthly: 14 days' notice when rent wasn't paid on time. If the rent is paid within those 14 days, the landlord can't evict for it, unless the same thing happens again within 6 months. **How much notice before a landlord enters a rental in Tennessee?** Except in an emergency, the landlord can't come in without the tenant's OK. The booklet states no notice period. **How long does an eviction case take in Tennessee?** Hearing after filing: At least 6 days. Writ to lockout: 10 days (from judgment). These are the stated rules; the court's calendar often takes longer. **Can a Tennessee deposit dispute go to small claims court?** The small claims limit in our data: $25,000: the most a small claims case can ask for. The court's own page explains what kinds of cases it hears. **How much can a security deposit be in Tennessee?** Not confirmed in our data files. Check Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15) (https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf). **How long does a Tennessee landlord have to return a deposit?** Not confirmed in our data files. Check Tennessee Department of Health (Healthy Homes): Do You Know Your Rights and Duties As a Renter? (8/15) (https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/health/documents/healthy-places/healthy-homes/HHW_LAS_TN_Rural_Renters_Rights.pdf). Related: [Landlord rules by state](/tools/landlord-rules-by-state) · [Kits for landlords](/toolkits/for/landlords) ## Keep rental records in order [Bookkeeping for small landlords](/bookkeeping/for/small-landlords)[Call (908) 444-6373](tel:+19084446373)