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Hartsville is the county seat of Trousdale County, one of Tennessee's smallest counties by both area and population. Because Trousdale County's population falls well below the 75,000-resident threshold, it is not covered by Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), found at Tenn. Code §§ 66-28-101 through 66-28-521. Instead, landlord-tenant relationships here are primarily governed by Tennessee common law, general property statutes, and select provisions of state law that courts apply statewide regardless of URLTA coverage.
Renters in Hartsville most commonly have questions about security deposit returns, eviction notice requirements, and what happens when a landlord refuses to make repairs. Because the URLTA's robust tenant protections — such as formal habitability remedies and anti-retaliation provisions — do not automatically apply in Trousdale County, tenants in this area have fewer codified remedies than renters in Nashville or Memphis. However, basic legal protections still exist, and landlords cannot use self-help tactics such as lockouts or utility shutoffs under any circumstances.
This page summarizes the laws that apply to renters in Hartsville and Trousdale County as of April 2026. It is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you are facing an eviction, a deposit dispute, or a habitability problem, contact a qualified attorney or local legal aid organization.
There is no rent control in Hartsville, Trousdale County, or anywhere else in Tennessee. Tennessee state law explicitly and comprehensively prohibits local governments from enacting any form of rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. The preemption statute, Tenn. Code § 66-35-102, states that no county, municipality, or other political subdivision may enact any ordinance, rule, or resolution that controls or limits the amount of rent charged for privately owned residential or commercial rental property. This prohibition was reinforced by the legislature and reflects a deliberate statewide policy decision favoring market-rate rents.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Hartsville can increase your rent by any dollar amount at any time — provided they give you proper advance notice before the new rent takes effect. There is no cap on how much rent can be raised, no required justification for an increase, and no local board or office to appeal to. If you receive a rent increase notice and cannot afford the new amount, your options are to negotiate directly with your landlord, look for alternative housing, or contact a legal aid organization for advice about your specific lease terms.
Because Trousdale County is a non-URLTA county (population under 75,000), Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act does not automatically apply. However, several important state-law protections and common-law principles still govern rental relationships in Hartsville.
Security Deposits: Tennessee courts have applied deposit-return obligations statewide. Landlords must return the security deposit — or provide a written itemized statement of deductions — within 30 days of the tenant vacating the unit. Failure to do so can expose the landlord to liability for the withheld amount plus additional damages. See Tenn. Code § 66-28-301 and related case law applied by Tennessee Sessions Courts.
Habitability / Repairs: Outside URLTA counties, Tennessee common law still imposes a duty on landlords to deliver and maintain premises in a condition fit for human habitation. While the specific 14-day repair remedy of Tenn. Code § 66-28-304 is a URLTA provision, a tenant in Trousdale County may pursue breach-of-contract or constructive eviction claims if a landlord fails to address serious conditions that make a unit uninhabitable. Documenting repair requests in writing is essential.
Notice to Terminate a Month-to-Month Tenancy: In non-URLTA counties, the required notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy is 10 days written notice, consistent with Tenn. Code § 66-28-512 and Tennessee common law. This is significantly shorter than the 30-day requirement in URLTA counties, so renters should be prepared to act quickly if they receive a termination notice.
Anti-Retaliation: The formal anti-retaliation statute at Tenn. Code § 66-28-514 is part of the URLTA and therefore does not technically apply in Trousdale County by operation of law. However, retaliatory eviction claims may still be raised as a defense in Sessions Court under common law principles. If you believe a landlord is retaliating against you for complaining about conditions, document all communications carefully.
Self-Help Eviction Prohibition: Statewide, landlords are prohibited from engaging in self-help eviction. Under Tenn. Code § 66-28-505, a landlord may not remove a tenant's personal property, change the locks, or willfully interrupt utilities to force a tenant out without a court order. This prohibition applies in all Tennessee counties, including Trousdale County. A landlord who engages in self-help eviction can be liable for damages.
Tennessee law requires landlords to handle security deposits responsibly, and courts in non-URLTA counties like Trousdale County apply these principles under Tenn. Code § 66-28-301 and related statutes.
No Statutory Cap: Tennessee does not impose a maximum limit on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. The amount is set by the lease agreement.
Return Deadline — 30 Days: Your landlord must return your full security deposit — or provide a written, itemized statement of any deductions — within 30 days after you vacate the rental unit and return possession. The itemized statement must list each specific deduction and the amount withheld.
Allowable Deductions: Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent, damage to the unit beyond normal wear and tear, and other lease violations that result in actual costs. They may not deduct for ordinary wear and tear (e.g., minor scuffs on walls, carpet wear from normal use).
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If your landlord wrongfully withholds your security deposit or fails to return it with a proper itemized statement within 30 days, you may be entitled to recover the withheld deposit amount plus additional damages as determined by the court, under principles applied statewide and referenced in Tenn. Code § 66-28-301. To protect your claim, document the move-out condition with photographs, obtain a written move-out inspection if possible, and send your forwarding address to the landlord in writing before or at the time of move-out.
Landlords in Hartsville and Trousdale County must follow Tennessee's legal eviction process. Using self-help methods — such as changing locks, removing a tenant's belongings, or shutting off utilities — is illegal under Tenn. Code § 66-28-505 regardless of whether rent is owed. Only a court can authorize a tenant's removal.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing for eviction, the landlord must deliver a written notice to the tenant. For nonpayment of rent, a landlord typically must provide a notice demanding payment or possession. For a month-to-month tenancy, a landlord must give at least 10 days' written notice to terminate the tenancy in a non-URLTA county like Trousdale County, per Tenn. Code § 66-28-512 and Tennessee common law. For lease violations other than nonpayment, the landlord must give the tenant written notice of the violation.
Step 2 — Filing in Sessions Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice (by paying rent owed, vacating, or curing the violation), the landlord may file a detainer warrant in Trousdale County General Sessions Court. The court will schedule a hearing, typically within a few days to weeks of filing.
Step 3 — Hearing: Both the landlord and tenant have the right to appear at the hearing and present their case. Tenants should attend — failure to appear will likely result in a default judgment for the landlord. Tenants may raise defenses such as improper notice, payment of rent, or retaliation at this stage.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a writ of possession is issued. Only a sheriff or other law enforcement officer may enforce the writ and physically remove a tenant. The landlord has no authority to remove the tenant on their own.
Step 5 — No Just Cause Required: Tennessee does not require landlords to have just cause to terminate a month-to-month tenancy or to decline to renew a lease. A landlord may end a tenancy for any lawful reason — or no reason at all — provided proper notice is given and the court process is followed.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are complex, fact-specific, and subject to change. The application of Tennessee law to non-URLTA counties like Trousdale County involves nuances that may vary depending on the specific terms of your lease and the facts of your situation. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. If you are facing an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any other housing legal matter, you should consult a licensed Tennessee attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization. Laws cited reflect information available as of April 2026 and may have changed since publication. Always verify current statutes and local rules with an attorney or through official Tennessee state sources.
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