Last updated: April 2026
Nashville renters are protected by Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), which applies in Davidson County. Here is what the law requires of your landlord — and what you can do when it falls short.
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Nashville is one of the fastest-growing cities in the United States, with a renter population estimated at more than 40 percent of the city's roughly 700,000 residents. As the seat of Davidson County, Nashville falls squarely within the counties subject to Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), Tenn. Code §§ 66-28-101 et seq., which applies to counties with populations exceeding 75,000. That means Nashville renters enjoy a more robust set of statutory protections than tenants in smaller Tennessee counties, where common-law rules — not URLTA — govern the landlord-tenant relationship.
The questions Nashville renters most commonly ask involve security deposit returns, rent increases, habitability standards, and the eviction process. This page answers each of those questions with specific citations to Tennessee law so you know exactly where you stand. Keep in mind that Nashville has not enacted any local tenant-protection ordinances beyond what state law already provides, so state statutes are your primary source of rights.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary. If you have a specific legal problem, consult a licensed Tennessee attorney or contact a legal aid organization listed in the resources section below.
Nashville has no rent control, and Tennessee state law prohibits any city or county from enacting it. Tenn. Code § 66-35-102 explicitly bars local governments from adopting ordinances that regulate the amount of rent a landlord may charge for private residential property. This preemption is statewide and absolute — no Tennessee municipality, including Nashville, may create a local rent stabilization or rent control program.
In practice, this means a Nashville landlord may raise your rent by any amount they choose, provided they give you the legally required advance written notice before the increase takes effect. For month-to-month tenants, that notice period is 30 days under Tenn. Code § 66-28-512. For fixed-term leases, rent cannot be raised mid-lease unless the lease contract itself permits it; any increase would take effect only upon renewal.
Because there is no cap on rent increases, Nashville renters facing large hikes have limited legal recourse. Your best practical options are to negotiate with your landlord, seek alternative housing, or — if you believe the increase is retaliatory — review your rights under Tenn. Code § 66-28-514, which prohibits retaliation against tenants who exercise their legal rights.
Tennessee's URLTA (Tenn. Code §§ 66-28-101 et seq.) provides Nashville renters with several important protections. Below is a summary of the most significant rights.
Habitability (Tenn. Code § 66-28-304). Landlords in URLTA counties must maintain rental units in a fit and habitable condition, including compliance with applicable building and housing codes materially affecting health and safety. They must keep common areas clean and safe, maintain electrical, plumbing, heating, and ventilation systems in good working order, and provide functioning smoke detectors. If your landlord fails to make a required repair after you provide written notice, they have 14 days (or a reasonable time in emergencies) to remedy the problem. If they do not, you may pursue remedies including rent escrow, repair-and-deduct in limited circumstances, or lease termination under Tenn. Code § 66-28-502.
Security Deposit (Tenn. Code § 66-28-301). Landlords must hold your security deposit in a separate account and return it — along with a written itemized statement of any deductions — within 30 days after you vacate. See the Security Deposit section below for details on penalties.
Notice to Terminate (Tenn. Code § 66-28-512). To end a month-to-month tenancy, either party must give the other at least 30 days' written notice. Fixed-term leases end on their own terms unless the parties agree otherwise.
Anti-Retaliation (Tenn. Code § 66-28-514). A landlord may not retaliate against you for reporting code violations to a government agency, complaining to the landlord about habitability, or organizing with other tenants. Retaliation is presumed if an adverse action — such as a notice to vacate or a rent increase — occurs within 12 months of a protected activity. If a court finds retaliation, you may recover one month's rent or actual damages, whichever is greater, plus attorney's fees.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (Tenn. Code § 66-28-505). Self-help eviction is illegal in Tennessee. A landlord cannot remove your belongings, change your locks, or deliberately cut off utilities to force you out without first obtaining a court order. Violating this provision entitles you to damages and the right to re-enter your unit.
Tennessee's URLTA (Tenn. Code § 66-28-301) governs security deposits for Nashville renters. There is no statutory cap on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit — the limit, if any, is set by your lease.
Separate Account Requirement. Landlords must hold your security deposit in a bank account that is separate from their personal or business funds. This requirement exists to protect your deposit if the landlord faces financial problems.
30-Day Return Deadline. After you vacate the unit, the landlord has 30 days to either return your full deposit or mail you an itemized written statement explaining any deductions along with the remaining balance. The 30-day clock typically begins when you surrender possession of the unit.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding. If your landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the required itemized statement within 30 days — or if they make deductions that are not legitimate — you are entitled to recover the wrongfully withheld amount plus damages under Tenn. Code § 66-28-301. Courts have interpreted this to include situations where landlords forfeit the right to make any deductions at all by missing the deadline or failing to provide a proper written statement.
Practical Steps. Document the condition of your unit with photos or video at move-in and move-out, provide your landlord with a forwarding address in writing, and keep a copy of your lease and any move-in/move-out inspection forms. This documentation is critical if you need to dispute deductions in General Sessions Court.
Nashville landlords must follow a strict legal process to remove a tenant. Self-help eviction — including lockouts, utility shutoffs, and removal of personal property — is explicitly prohibited by Tenn. Code § 66-28-505. Violating this law can expose a landlord to significant damages.
Step 1 — Written Notice. Before filing an eviction lawsuit, a landlord must serve you with the appropriate written notice. The type and length of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in Sessions Court. If you do not comply with the notice, the landlord may file a Detainer Warrant (the Tennessee name for an eviction complaint) in Davidson County General Sessions Court. You will be served with the warrant and a court date.
Step 3 — Court Hearing. Attend your court date. You have the right to present defenses, such as the landlord's failure to maintain habitable conditions (Tenn. Code § 66-28-304), retaliation (Tenn. Code § 66-28-514), or improper notice. If the judge rules against you, a Writ of Possession may be issued.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession. Only after a court issues a Writ of Possession can a sheriff or constable remove you from the unit. The landlord cannot remove you personally or without law enforcement involvement.
Step 5 — Appeal. You have 10 days from the Sessions Court judgment to appeal to Davidson County Circuit Court, where you get a new hearing (a de novo trial). Filing the appeal and paying any required bond (or obtaining a pauper's oath) typically stays the eviction during the appeal period.
No Just-Cause Requirement. Nashville has no just-cause eviction ordinance. A landlord may terminate a month-to-month tenancy with 30 days' notice for any reason, as long as it is not retaliatory or discriminatory under applicable federal and state law.
No. Nashville has no rent control, and Tennessee state law makes it illegal for any city or county to enact one. Tenn. Code § 66-35-102 explicitly prohibits local governments from regulating private residential rents. This means your landlord can charge any amount they choose and raise it by any amount, as long as they give you proper advance notice.
There is no limit on rent increases in Nashville. Because Tennessee's Tenn. Code § 66-35-102 preempts local rent control, landlords may raise rent by any amount. However, for a month-to-month tenancy, your landlord must give you at least 30 days' written notice before the increase takes effect, as required by Tenn. Code § 66-28-512. For a fixed-term lease, the rent cannot be raised until the lease ends unless the lease itself allows mid-term increases.
Under Tenn. Code § 66-28-301, your landlord has 30 days after you vacate to return your security deposit along with a written itemized statement of any deductions. If the landlord misses this deadline or makes improper deductions, you may be entitled to recover the wrongfully withheld amount plus additional damages. Always provide your landlord with a written forwarding address to start the clock and protect your claim.
The required notice depends on the reason for eviction. For nonpayment of rent, your landlord must give you a 14-day written notice to pay or vacate under Tenn. Code § 66-28-505(a). For a material lease violation, you must receive a 30-day notice with 14 days to cure the problem under Tenn. Code § 66-28-505(b). To terminate a month-to-month tenancy with no stated cause, the landlord must provide 30 days' written notice under Tenn. Code § 66-28-512. After the notice period, the landlord must file in Davidson County General Sessions Court — they cannot remove you on their own.
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in Tennessee. Tenn. Code § 66-28-505 prohibits landlords from removing your belongings, changing your locks, or intentionally cutting off water, electricity, or other utilities in order to force you to leave without first obtaining a court order. If your landlord does any of these things, you have the right to re-enter your unit and may be entitled to damages. Contact legal aid or law enforcement immediately if this happens.
Under Tenn. Code § 66-28-304, Nashville landlords are required to maintain habitable premises and make necessary repairs. You should first notify your landlord in writing of the needed repair and keep a copy. If the landlord does not respond within 14 days (or a reasonable time for emergencies), you may have remedies under Tenn. Code § 66-28-502, including rent escrow, lease termination, or a court order compelling repairs. You may also contact Metro Nashville's Codes Department to request a housing inspection. Document everything with photos and dated written communications, as these records will be critical if the dispute goes to court.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information on this page reflects Tennessee law and local ordinances as of April 2026, but laws change and individual circumstances vary. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by reading this page. If you have a specific legal problem or question about your rights as a Nashville renter, please consult a licensed Tennessee attorney or contact a legal aid organization such as the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee. Always verify current statutes and local rules independently before taking action.
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