Tennessee Tenant Rights Laws As a party to a residential lease, it's important to understand your legal rights and responsibilities as a tenant. Your obligations include paying rent on time, complying with lease provisions, and providing appropriate notice when terminating a lease. Your rights include living in a safe and habitable environment, and being free from discrimination or retaliation. Landlords also have certain rights and obligations while both [...]
Frequently Asked Questions Can a landlord ask a tenant to move out when a lease expires? What happens if a tenant continues to pay rent after a lease agreement expires? What options does a landlord have when a tenant moves out before a lease expires? How much notice does a tenant have to give to terminate a month-to-month rental agreement? Does a landlord have to return a security deposit to the tenant? How can a landlord evict a tenant? Consider getting legal help ending a lease or rental [...]
With a new school year beckoning, Tennessee college students are preparing to move into rental apartments and houses—some for the first time. The Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance’s (TDCI) Division of Consumer Affairs urges first-time renters to do their homework before signing a lease. “We encourage consumers to know their rights so they can make informed decisions when it comes to leasing residential property,” said TDCI Deputy Commissioner [...]
Thousands of Tennesseans could soon be left homeless as the eviction moratorium has ended. However, landlords can’t kick people out just yet. According to global advisory firm Stout, in Tennessee, there could be more than 280,000 potential eviction filings over the next few months. Legal Aid Society Housing & Consumer Attorney Kerry Dietz says landlords have tried taking matters into their own hands and evicting people, but she wants people to know that is illegal. “That has been[...]
For Renters: Security Deposits at a Glance Most landlords require the payment of a deposit before the start of the lease period. This is either: Held in escrow (a third party account) Kept on file as a check or online deposit When the lease ends, the landlord may use the deposit to pay for repairs or professional cleaning. If your landlord asks for last month's rent, keep in mind that this is not the same as a deposit (it is simply a prepayment). Landlords may ask tenants for both first and [...]