Last updated: April 2026
Collierville renters in Shelby County are covered by Tennessee's URLTA — but the state bans rent control and Collierville has no local tenant ordinances. Here is what every Collierville renter needs to know.
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Collierville is an affluent suburban town in Shelby County, located about 25 miles east of downtown Memphis. Despite its reputation as one of Tennessee's wealthiest communities, renters in Collierville face the same state-level landlord-tenant framework as everywhere else in Tennessee. The Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), Tenn. Code §§ 66-28-101 through 66-28-521, applies to Shelby County as a URLTA-covered jurisdiction and forms the primary legal framework for rental relationships in Collierville.
Tennessee prohibits rent control statewide, and Collierville has no local tenant protection ordinances beyond what state law requires. Renters should understand the URLTA protections — including habitability standards, security deposit rules, eviction procedures, and notice requirements — as these form the entirety of their legal rights as tenants in Collierville.
This guide provides general educational information and does not constitute legal advice. Renters with urgent housing concerns should consult a qualified attorney or contact one of the legal aid organizations listed at the bottom of this page.
Collierville has no rent control, and Tennessee law prevents any local government from enacting it. The state preemption statute, Tenn. Code § 66-35-102, explicitly prohibits cities and counties from adopting rent control or rent stabilization measures. This is a statewide policy that applies equally to every Tennessee municipality, including Collierville.
A Collierville landlord may raise rent by any amount. There are no percentage caps, no annual limits, and no requirement for the landlord to explain or justify the increase. The sole procedural requirement is adequate written notice before any tenancy change takes effect. For month-to-month tenants in Shelby County (a URLTA county), landlords must give at least 30 days' written notice before terminating or materially changing the tenancy under Tenn. Code § 66-28-512.
Tenants who cannot afford a rent increase have no legal basis to challenge the amount. Their options are to negotiate with the landlord, accept the new rent, or give proper notice and vacate. This reality underscores the importance for Collierville renters of budgeting conservatively and understanding their lease terms before signing.
Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), Tenn. Code §§ 66-28-101 through 66-28-521, applies to Shelby County and governs the rights and obligations of Collierville renters and their landlords.
Habitability: Under Tenn. Code § 66-28-304, landlords must maintain habitable conditions — functioning heat, plumbing, electrical systems, a weathertight structure, and freedom from pest infestations. After the tenant provides written notice of a repair need, the landlord has 14 days to make the repair, or a shorter reasonable time for emergencies. If the landlord fails to act, tenants may pursue rent escrow, lease termination, or repair-and-deduct remedies under the URLTA. Always submit repair requests in writing and retain copies.
Security Deposit: Landlords must return the deposit within 30 days of move-out with an itemized written statement of deductions (Tenn. Code § 66-28-301). Only unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear may be deducted. Wrongful withholding may entitle the tenant to the deposit plus additional damages.
Notice to Terminate: Month-to-month tenants in Shelby County are entitled to at least 30 days' written notice before a landlord terminates the tenancy (Tenn. Code § 66-28-512). Tenants must also give 30 days' notice when they plan to vacate.
Anti-Retaliation: Tenn. Code § 66-28-514 prohibits retaliatory conduct by landlords against tenants who report housing code violations, contact government agencies about conditions, or exercise legal rights under the URLTA. Retaliation may be raised as a defense in eviction proceedings.
Self-Help Eviction Prohibited: Under Tenn. Code § 66-28-505, landlords may not change locks, remove doors, shut off utilities, or remove a tenant's belongings without a court order. Violations expose the landlord to civil liability.
Security deposit protections in Collierville are governed by Tenn. Code §§ 66-28-301 through 66-28-306, under the URLTA framework applicable to Shelby County.
Return Deadline: After move-out, landlords have 30 days to return the security deposit or provide a written itemized statement of deductions with any remaining balance (Tenn. Code § 66-28-301(g)). Each deduction must be identified and explained in writing. Failure to comply within 30 days may entitle the tenant to the deposit amount plus additional damages through a civil claim.
Allowable Deductions: Only unpaid rent and damage beyond normal wear and tear may be deducted from the deposit. Normal wear and tear — minor scuffs, small nail holes, ordinary carpet wear — is not chargeable to the tenant. Damage caused by the tenant's misuse or negligence is a legitimate basis for deduction.
Tenant Best Practices: Document the unit's condition with dated photographs at both move-in and move-out. Provide your forwarding address to the landlord in writing when you vacate. If you believe your deposit was wrongfully withheld, you may file in Shelby County General Sessions Court.
Evictions in Collierville must follow the formal legal process under Tenn. Code §§ 66-28-505 through 66-28-507. Self-help eviction is prohibited; landlords must obtain a court order before removing a tenant.
Step 1 — Written Notice:
Step 2 — Filing: If the tenant does not comply, the landlord files a detainer warrant at Shelby County General Sessions Court. A hearing date is set and the tenant is notified.
Step 3 — Hearing: Both parties present their case. Tenants may raise defenses including improper notice, habitability violations, or retaliation (Tenn. Code § 66-28-514). Contact Memphis Area Legal Services (malsi.org) for free legal help.
Step 4 — Judgment: If the landlord prevails, the court issues an order. The tenant may appeal or vacate voluntarily. If the tenant remains, the landlord may obtain a writ of possession executed by law enforcement — not the landlord personally.
No. Collierville does not have rent control, and Tennessee state law (Tenn. Code § 66-35-102) prohibits any city or county from enacting it. Landlords in Collierville may raise rent by any amount with no legal caps.
There is no legal limit on rent increases in Collierville. Tennessee's preemption statute bars all local rent regulation. For month-to-month tenancies in Shelby County (a URLTA county), your landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice before terminating or materially modifying the tenancy under Tenn. Code § 66-28-512, but there is no cap on the increase amount.
Your landlord has 30 days after you vacate to return the deposit with an itemized written statement of deductions under Tenn. Code § 66-28-301. Failure to comply may entitle you to the deposit amount plus additional damages. File a claim in Shelby County General Sessions Court if the deposit is wrongfully withheld.
For nonpayment of rent, your landlord must give at least 14 days' written notice to pay or vacate (Tenn. Code § 66-28-505(a)). For lease violations, 14 days' notice is also required. To terminate a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice in Shelby County under Tenn. Code § 66-28-512.
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in Tennessee under Tenn. Code § 66-28-505. A landlord cannot change your locks, remove doors, cut off utilities, or remove your belongings without a court order. If this occurs, document the situation, contact law enforcement, and reach out to Memphis Area Legal Services (malsi.org).
Under Tenn. Code § 66-28-304, landlords in URLTA counties must maintain habitable conditions. Put your repair request in writing and keep a copy. If the landlord does not respond within 14 days, you may have remedies including rent escrow, lease termination, or repair-and-deduct. Contact Memphis Area Legal Services (malsi.org) or the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (tals.org) for assistance.
This page is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information reflects laws in effect as of April 2026, but tenant rights laws can change. The application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. If you are facing eviction, a security deposit dispute, or another housing issue, consult a licensed Tennessee attorney or contact one of the legal aid organizations listed above. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and cannot provide legal representation or legal advice.
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