Tennessee landlord law, handled.
StrainDesk knows the 14-day pay notice, the 10 percent late fee cap, and the five-day grace period, so you can focus on your properties, not your paperwork.
Watch the 2-minute demoTennessee rental rules at a glance
| Security deposit limit | No statutory limit |
|---|---|
| Deposit return window | 30 days after move-out |
| Pay-or-quit notice | 14-day notice to pay or vacate |
| Month-to-month termination notice | 30 days |
| Landlord entry notice | 24 hours advance notice |
| Late fee rules | Capped at 10% of rent, 5-day grace period |
Notice periods and limits reflect Tennessee statute. Always confirm current law for your situation.
What StrainDesk does for Tennessee landlords
- Tennessee 14-day pay notices with the required repair authorization statement
- Late fee guardrails built on the 10 percent cap and the five-day grace period in 66-28-201(d)
- Flags whether the property sits in a URLTA county, since the act only applies in counties above 75,000 population in the 2010 census
- Chapter 66-28 lease clauses, deposit account disclosure, and inspection rights in every generated lease
- Maintenance tracking with entry notice generation
Registration reminders
Store each property's rental registration, add its number and renewal date, and StrainDesk reminds you before it expires. Your document and its deadline stay in one place.
Tennessee landlord FAQ
Does the Tennessee URLTA apply to my property?
Only if it is in a county that had more than 75,000 residents in the 2010 federal census: Anderson, Blount, Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, Madison, Maury, Montgomery, Rutherford, Sevier, Shelby, Sullivan, Sumner, Washington, Williamson, or Wilson (Tenn. Code Ann. 66-28-102). In other counties, Tenn. Code Ann. 66-7-109 and the lease govern termination notices.
How does the Tennessee 14-day notice work?
The tenant has 14 days after receiving the notice to pay the full amount due. If it is not paid within that time, the rental agreement terminates and a detainer warrant may be filed. The notice must also tell the tenant that any repairs to remedy a breach must be requested in writing and authorized in writing by the landlord first (Tenn. Code Ann. 66-28-505(a)(2)).
What late fee can a Tennessee landlord charge?
No more than 10 percent of the amount of rent past due, and only after a five-day grace period that includes the due date. If the last day of the grace period is a Sunday or legal holiday, no fee may be charged if rent is paid on the next business day (Tenn. Code Ann. 66-28-201(d)).
How long does a Tennessee landlord have to return the deposit?
Tennessee law sets no fixed deadline to return the deposit. If a refund is due, the landlord must send notice of the refund amount to the tenant's last known address. If the tenant does not respond within sixty (60) days after that notice is sent, the landlord may retain the deposit (Tenn. Code Ann. 66-28-301(f)).
Plans for Tennessee landlords
Both paid plans include the Tennessee lease generator and legal notices. Plus adds everything in Pro and more.
Up to 20 properties. Online rent collection, email reminders, maintenance portal, and reports.
Choose ProEverything in Pro, plus SMS, co-tenants, team access, and exports. Up to 100 properties.
Choose PlusTemplates are provided for reference only and do not constitute legal advice. StrainDesk is not a law firm. The Tennessee URLTA applies only in counties with a population over 75,000 in the 2010 federal census; in other counties, Tenn. Code Ann. 66-7-109 governs termination notices. Consult a licensed attorney in your state before serving any legal notice or executing any lease agreement.