Last updated: April 2026
Knoxville renters are protected by Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act — covering habitability, security deposits, eviction procedures, and anti-retaliation rights. Here is what you need to know.
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Knoxville is Tennessee's third-largest city and home to the University of Tennessee, making it one of the state's most active rental markets. A significant portion of Knox County residents rent their homes, and questions about security deposits, rent increases, and eviction procedures are among the most common legal concerns tenants face.
Because Knox County's population exceeds 75,000, Knoxville renters are governed by Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), codified at Tenn. Code §§ 66-28-101 through 66-28-521. The URLTA provides meaningful protections around habitability, deposit returns, retaliation, and the eviction process — stronger than the common-law rules that apply in smaller Tennessee counties.
This page is an informational overview of tenant rights in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is not legal advice. Laws can change and individual circumstances vary — if you have a specific dispute with your landlord, contact a qualified attorney or a legal aid organization in your area.
Knoxville has no rent control, and Tennessee law prohibits any city or county from enacting it. Tenn. Code § 66-35-102 explicitly bars local governments from passing ordinances that control or limit the amount of rent a landlord may charge. This preemption applies statewide, meaning neither Knoxville nor Knox County can create a local rent stabilization program of any kind.
In practice, this means a Knoxville landlord may raise rent by any dollar amount at the end of a lease term or, for month-to-month tenants, with at least 30 days' written notice under Tenn. Code § 66-28-512. There is no cap on how much rent can increase, and there is no requirement that increases be tied to inflation or any other index. Tenants who receive a rent increase notice have the choice to accept the new terms or vacate with proper notice.
Because Knoxville is in a county with more than 75,000 residents, the Tennessee URLTA (Tenn. Code §§ 66-28-101 – 66-28-521) applies in full. The following protections cover all residential tenants in Knoxville.
Habitability & Repairs (Tenn. Code § 66-28-304): Landlords must maintain rental units in a fit and habitable condition, including working heat, plumbing, electrical systems, and structural safety. After a tenant provides written notice of a deficiency, the landlord has 14 days to begin repairs, or a shorter reasonable time if the issue is an emergency. If the landlord fails to act, remedies available to the tenant include withholding rent into an escrow account or terminating the lease.
Security Deposit Rules (Tenn. Code § 66-28-301): Landlords must return the full security deposit, or the balance with an itemized written statement of deductions, within 30 days of the tenant vacating the unit. Wrongful withholding entitles the tenant to the deposit amount plus additional damages. Deductions are limited to unpaid rent and documented physical damage beyond normal wear and tear.
Notice to Terminate Tenancy (Tenn. Code § 66-28-512): Either party must provide at least 30 days' written notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. Fixed-term leases expire automatically at the end of the term unless renewed.
Anti-Retaliation (Tenn. Code § 66-28-514): Landlords may not retaliate against tenants for reporting code violations, complaining to a government agency, or exercising any legal right under the URLTA. Retaliatory conduct includes eviction, rent increases, or reduction of services following a protected tenant action.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Tenn. Code § 66-28-505): Self-help eviction is illegal in Tennessee. A landlord may not remove a tenant by changing locks, removing doors or windows, or cutting off utilities without a valid court order. Only a sheriff or constable executing a court-issued writ of possession may remove a tenant.
Tennessee's URLTA governs security deposits for Knoxville rentals under Tenn. Code § 66-28-301. There is no statewide statutory cap on the amount a landlord may collect as a security deposit, so landlords may set the deposit at their discretion (commonly one to two months' rent).
Return deadline: After the tenant vacates, the landlord has 30 days to return the deposit. If any portion is withheld, the landlord must provide an itemized written statement explaining each deduction. Valid deductions are limited to unpaid rent and physical damage to the unit beyond normal wear and tear — general cleaning or repainting due to ordinary use is not a legitimate deduction.
Penalty for wrongful withholding: If a landlord fails to return the deposit or provide an itemized statement within 30 days without lawful justification, the tenant is entitled to the full deposit amount plus additional damages under Tenn. Code § 66-28-301. To protect your right to a refund, document the unit's condition at move-in and move-out with dated photographs, and send your forwarding address to the landlord in writing before you vacate.
Knoxville landlords must follow a specific court-supervised process to evict a tenant. Self-help measures — such as changing the locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities — are illegal under Tenn. Code § 66-28-505 and may expose the landlord to liability.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, a landlord must serve the tenant with the appropriate written notice. For nonpayment of rent, the landlord must provide a 14-day notice to pay or vacate (Tenn. Code § 66-28-505). For other material lease violations, the landlord must provide a 14-day notice to cure or quit. For a no-fault termination of a month-to-month tenancy, a 30-day notice is required under Tenn. Code § 66-28-512.
Step 2 — Filing in Sessions Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an unlawful detainer or detainer warrant in Knox County General Sessions Court. The tenant will receive a court date, typically within a few weeks of filing.
Step 3 — Hearing: Both parties may appear at the hearing and present evidence. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a judgment for possession is entered. The tenant may appeal to Knox County Circuit Court within 10 days.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the tenant remains after judgment, the landlord must obtain a writ of possession and a Knox County sheriff or constable will carry out the physical removal. No landlord may remove a tenant without this court-issued writ.
No Just Cause Requirement: Tennessee does not require a landlord to have a specific reason to end a tenancy at the conclusion of a lease term. A landlord may decline to renew a fixed-term lease or terminate a month-to-month tenancy with proper notice, without providing cause, as long as the reason is not an illegal one such as discrimination or retaliation under Tenn. Code § 66-28-514.
No. Knoxville does not have rent control, and Tennessee state law prohibits any municipality or county from enacting rent control ordinances under Tenn. Code § 66-35-102. This statewide preemption means no local rent stabilization program can exist anywhere in Tennessee, including Knoxville.
There is no limit on how much a landlord may raise rent in Knoxville. Because rent control is banned by Tenn. Code § 66-35-102, a landlord can increase rent by any amount. For month-to-month tenancies, the landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice before the increase takes effect under Tenn. Code § 66-28-512; for a fixed-term lease, the new rate can only be imposed at renewal.
Your landlord has 30 days after you vacate to return your security deposit or provide a written itemized statement of deductions under Tenn. Code § 66-28-301. If the landlord fails to comply without a lawful reason, you may be entitled to the full deposit amount plus additional damages. Always provide a forwarding address in writing and document the unit's condition with photos at move-out.
The required notice depends on the reason for eviction. For nonpayment of rent or a lease violation, the landlord must provide a 14-day written notice to pay, cure, or vacate under Tenn. Code § 66-28-505. To terminate a month-to-month tenancy without cause, at least 30 days' written notice is required under Tenn. Code § 66-28-512. After proper notice, if you do not comply or vacate, the landlord must file in Knox County General Sessions Court before any removal can occur.
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in Tennessee. Under Tenn. Code § 66-28-505, a landlord may not change your locks, remove doors or windows, cut off utilities, or remove your personal belongings to force you out without a court order. Only a Knox County sheriff or constable executing a valid writ of possession may physically remove a tenant. If your landlord engages in self-help eviction tactics, contact Legal Aid of East Tennessee or an attorney immediately.
Under Tenn. Code § 66-28-304, Knoxville landlords are required to maintain habitable premises. You must first provide your landlord with written notice describing the needed repair; the landlord then has 14 days (or less for emergencies) to begin remedying the problem. If the landlord fails to act within that time, you may be entitled to remedies including placing rent in escrow or terminating the lease. You can also file a complaint with the City of Knoxville's Code Enforcement division, and your landlord cannot retaliate against you for doing so under Tenn. Code § 66-28-514.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. If you have a dispute with your landlord or need guidance about your rights, please consult a licensed attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in Knoxville or Knox County. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by using this site.
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