Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Mount Juliet, located in Wilson County just east of Nashville, has become one of the most rapidly expanding communities in Tennessee. The city's population has surged past 40,000 residents, and a significant share of households rent their homes. As housing demand grows, renters increasingly need to understand what protections the law provides — and what it does not.
Tennessee's tenant protections are governed primarily by the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), codified at Tenn. Code §§ 66-28-101 through 66-28-521. Critically, the URLTA applies only in Tennessee counties with populations exceeding 75,000. Wilson County's population is below that threshold, which means Mount Juliet renters are generally governed by Tennessee common law rather than the full URLTA framework — though landlords and tenants may contractually agree to URLTA terms. This distinction has real consequences for deposit rules, notice requirements, and habitability remedies.
This page provides a plain-language summary of tenant rights applicable to Mount Juliet renters based on Tennessee law as of April 2026. It is informational only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change and individual circumstances vary — consult a licensed attorney or legal aid organization for guidance specific to your situation.
Mount Juliet has no rent control, and no Tennessee city or county may enact it. Tennessee state law explicitly prohibits local governments from passing any ordinance, resolution, or regulation that controls or limits the amount of rent a landlord may charge. This prohibition is codified at Tenn. Code § 66-35-102, which states that no county or municipality shall enact any ordinance or resolution that would have the effect of controlling rents on private residential property.
In practice, this means a landlord in Mount Juliet may raise your rent by any amount — there is no cap, no formula, and no required justification. The only constraint is procedural: landlords must give proper advance notice before a rent increase takes effect (see the Eviction & Notice section below for applicable notice periods). Once notice has been given, you may either accept the new rent, negotiate with your landlord, or exercise your right to vacate.
Because rent increases are unlimited under Tennessee law, Mount Juliet renters should pay close attention to lease renewal dates and notice deadlines. Reviewing your lease carefully and keeping written records of all communications with your landlord are practical steps every renter should take.
Although the full URLTA does not automatically apply in Wilson County (due to the county's population being below 75,000), the following protections reflect Tennessee statutory and common law as applicable. Some URLTA provisions may apply if your lease incorporates them by reference.
Habitability & Repairs (URLTA counties / Tenn. Code § 66-28-304): In counties where the URLTA applies, landlords must maintain rental units in a fit and habitable condition, make necessary repairs, keep common areas safe and clean, and ensure working plumbing, heating, and electrical systems. After receiving written notice, landlords have 14 days to begin repairs (or a reasonable emergency timeframe for urgent issues). Remedies include rent escrow and lease termination. In non-URLTA counties like Wilson County, common law imposes a more limited implied warranty of habitability, but landlords are still generally obligated to maintain essential services and structural safety.
Security Deposit Rules (Tenn. Code § 66-28-301): In URLTA counties, landlords must return the security deposit — with an itemized written statement of any deductions — within 30 days of the tenant vacating the unit. Wrongful withholding entitles the tenant to the full deposit amount plus additional damages. Tennessee does not cap the deposit amount by statute. In non-URLTA counties, common law applies but tenants still have recourse for wrongfully withheld deposits through civil action.
Notice to Terminate (Tenn. Code § 66-28-512): In URLTA counties, a landlord or tenant must give at least 30 days' written notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. In non-URLTA counties such as Wilson County, the required statutory notice period is only 10 days. Fixed-term leases end at the stated date without additional notice unless otherwise specified.
Anti-Retaliation (Tenn. Code § 66-28-514): In URLTA counties, landlords are prohibited from retaliating against tenants who report housing code violations, complain about habitability issues, or exercise any right protected by law. Retaliatory acts — including rent increases, eviction threats, or reduction of services — are presumed retaliatory if they occur within six months of a protected tenant action. Common law principles may afford some protection in non-URLTA counties as well.
Self-Help Eviction Prohibition (Tenn. Code § 66-28-505): Statewide, landlords may not use self-help methods to remove a tenant. Locking out a tenant, removing doors or windows, shutting off utilities, or removing the tenant's belongings without a court order is illegal regardless of URLTA applicability. Landlords must obtain a judgment and writ of possession from a court before a tenant can be lawfully removed.
Tennessee does not set a statutory maximum on the security deposit amount a landlord may collect. Landlords in Mount Juliet are therefore free to require any deposit amount, though the terms must be disclosed in the lease.
Return Deadline: Under Tenn. Code § 66-28-301 (applicable in URLTA counties), landlords must return the security deposit within 30 days after the tenant vacates and returns possession of the unit. The return must be accompanied by a written, itemized statement of any deductions for unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear, or other allowable charges. In non-URLTA counties like Wilson County, the 30-day URLTA deadline does not automatically apply by statute, but including deposit terms in your lease — or negotiating URLTA applicability — is strongly advisable.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: In URLTA counties, a landlord who wrongfully withholds the security deposit (or any portion thereof) is liable to the tenant for the amount wrongfully withheld plus additional damages as determined by the court (Tenn. Code § 66-28-301). Courts may award the withheld amount and attorney's fees in appropriate cases.
Practical Tips: Document the condition of your unit with dated photographs at both move-in and move-out. Request a move-out walkthrough with your landlord. Send your forwarding address in writing so the landlord has no excuse for failing to return your deposit. Keep copies of all correspondence.
Landlords in Mount Juliet must follow a strict legal process to evict a tenant. Self-help eviction — including changing the locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities without a court order — is prohibited statewide under Tenn. Code § 66-28-505. Violating this prohibition can expose a landlord to civil liability.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, a landlord must provide the tenant with written notice. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in General Sessions Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file a detainer warrant (eviction complaint) in Wilson County General Sessions Court. The tenant will be served with the complaint and notified of a hearing date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a General Sessions judge. The tenant has the right to present a defense. If the judge rules in favor of the landlord, a judgment for possession is entered.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the tenant does not vacate voluntarily after judgment, the landlord may request a writ of possession. A sheriff's deputy will then carry out the physical removal, typically giving the tenant a short additional period to gather belongings.
No Just-Cause Requirement: Tennessee law does not require a landlord to have a specific reason (just cause) to end a tenancy when proper notice is given. However, evictions that are retaliatory or discriminatory are prohibited under state and federal law.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are complex, subject to change, and vary based on individual circumstances, lease terms, and local court interpretations. The applicability of the Tennessee Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to Wilson County may depend on current population figures and legislative updates. Renters in Mount Juliet should consult a licensed Tennessee attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization to obtain advice specific to their situation. RentCheckMe makes no warranties regarding the completeness or accuracy of this information and is not responsible for actions taken in reliance on it.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.