Landlord tools · Tennessee

Tennessee residential lease agreement.

Everything a Tennessee lease must get right in 2026 — deposit limits, late fees, notice periods, and required disclosures — plus a free builder that applies each rule for you and outputs a signable PDF.

No capSecurity deposit cap
30 daysDeposit return deadline
ReasonableEntry notice required
30 daysTo end month-to-month

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Security deposits in Tennessee

Tennessee doesn't cap security deposits by statute — most landlords charge one to two months' rent. No statutory limit After the tenancy ends, the deposit must be returned within 30 days. Itemized list; deposit must sit in a dedicated account, tenant told its location Returning one now? Use the free Tennessee deposit return letter generator — it computes the deadline and itemizes deductions for you.

Late fees and grace periods

Tennessee limits late fees: 10% of the past-due amount. Rent must be at least 5 day(s) late before a fee can be charged. 5-day grace including due date; extended past Sunday/legal holiday.

Landlord entry and notices

Tennessee has no fixed entry-notice statute — reasonable notice is the standard, and the lease should spell it out. No general advance notice; 24-hour notice required to show unit in final 30 days. Ending a month-to-month tenancy takes 30 days' written notice (30 days' written notice). No statute; effectively 30 days via month-to-month term change. Planning an increase? The free Tennessee rent increase notice generator applies the notice period automatically.

Required disclosures in a Tennessee lease

Clauses you can’t put in a Tennessee lease

Utilities and pets

Utilities: No specific statute; lease should assign utilities. URLTA applies only in counties over 75,000 population. Pets: No statute on pet deposits or fees; lease governs. Assistance animals exempt from pet charges.

Frequently asked questions

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Tennessee?

Tennessee has no statutory limit on security deposits — one to two months' rent is customary. No statutory limit

How long does a Tennessee landlord have to return the deposit?

30 days after the tenancy ends. Itemized list; deposit must sit in a dedicated account, tenant told its location

Are late fees limited in Tennessee?

Yes — 10% of the past-due amount. 5-day grace including due date; extended past Sunday/legal holiday A 5-day grace period is required before charging a fee.

How much notice before a landlord can enter the unit in Tennessee?

Tennessee has no fixed statutory period — reasonable notice applies. No general advance notice; 24-hour notice required to show unit in final 30 days

Does Tennessee have rent control?

No statewide rent control. State preemption

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Key statutes: Tenn. Code § 66-28-201(d) · § 66-28-301 · § 66-28-403 · § 66-28-512. Last reviewed 2026-07. This guide summarizes state law for convenience and is not legal advice; cities and counties may add their own rules.

Lease laws in other states