Last updated: April 2026
Jackson renters should know whether Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies to their county — it is the key factor governing your rights on deposits, repairs, and retaliation. Here is what every Jackson tenant needs to know.
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Jackson is the seat of Madison County and one of West Tennessee's largest cities. Whether Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA) applies to your tenancy depends on Madison County's population. The URLTA applies in counties with populations over 75,000 (covering Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville, and Chattanooga areas); Madison County's population has hovered near that threshold, so the applicability may be uncertain. Where the URLTA does not apply, common law governs and your rights depend primarily on lease terms and local housing codes. Regardless, self-help eviction is illegal statewide. Contact the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services to determine which rules apply to your specific situation in Jackson.
Jackson has no rent control, and Tennessee law expressly prohibits rent control statewide. Landlords may raise rent by any amount, but must provide proper written notice. In URLTA counties, at least 30 days' written notice is required before a month-to-month tenancy may be terminated. In non-URLTA counties, the minimum notice required is just 10 days (Tenn. Code § 66-28-512). Review your lease for any notice requirements that exceed the statutory minimum.
Tennessee law provides the following key protections for Jackson tenants:
Under Tenn. Code § 66-28-301 (URLTA), landlords in covered counties must return your security deposit within 30 days of move-out along with a written, itemized statement of any deductions. Wrongful withholding entitles you to the deposit amount plus damages. In non-URLTA areas, your lease terms govern. Regardless of jurisdiction, document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with dated photos and written notes to protect yourself from unjust deductions.
To evict a tenant in Jackson, a landlord must first provide written notice. In URLTA counties, for nonpayment of rent, that is 14 days' notice to pay or vacate (Tenn. Code § 66-28-505). For a month-to-month tenancy termination, 30 days' written notice is required in URLTA counties; only 10 days in non-URLTA counties (Tenn. Code § 66-28-512). If you do not comply, the landlord must file a Detainer Warrant in Madison County Sessions Court. You have the right to appear and contest the eviction. Only after a court judgment and writ of possession may the sheriff remove you. Self-help eviction — lockouts, utility shutoffs, or removal of belongings — is prohibited under Tenn. Code § 66-28-505.
No. Jackson has no rent control ordinance, and Tennessee law prohibits rent control statewide. Landlords may raise rent by any amount with proper written notice.
There is no limit on rent increases in Jackson or anywhere in Tennessee. In URLTA counties, the landlord must provide at least 30 days' written notice before terminating a month-to-month tenancy. In non-URLTA counties, only 10 days' notice is required (Tenn. Code § 66-28-512). Check your lease for specific requirements.
In URLTA counties, landlords must return deposits within 30 days of move-out with a written itemized statement, and wrongful withholding entitles you to the deposit plus damages (Tenn. Code § 66-28-301). If the URLTA does not apply, your lease terms govern. Document the unit's condition with photos at move-in and move-out.
In URLTA counties, the landlord must give 14 days' notice to pay or vacate for nonpayment of rent, and 30 days' notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy (Tenn. Code § 66-28-512). In non-URLTA counties, only 10 days' notice is required for termination. The landlord must then file in Madison County Sessions Court.
No. Self-help eviction is illegal throughout Tennessee. A landlord cannot change your locks, remove your property, or shut off utilities to force you out without a court order (Tenn. Code § 66-28-505). Contact the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee immediately if this occurs.
Send your repair request in writing and keep a copy. In URLTA counties, landlords must make repairs within 14 days of written notice under Tenn. Code § 66-28-304, and remedies include rent escrow and lease termination. Contact Jackson's code enforcement to report housing violations, and reach out to the Tennessee Alliance for Legal Services (tals.org) for guidance.
This article provides general information about tenant rights in Jackson, TN and is not legal advice. Laws change — verify current rules with a local attorney or legal aid organization.
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