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Nolensville is a rapidly expanding town in Williamson County, located just south of Nashville. As one of the fastest-growing communities in Tennessee, Nolensville has seen significant residential development and an increasing renter population drawn by its proximity to Nashville's job market while offering a suburban character. Renters here frequently search for information about lease terms, security deposit returns, and what happens if a landlord refuses repairs.
Because Williamson County's population falls below the 75,000-resident threshold that triggers Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), Nolensville renters are governed primarily by Tennessee common law and the limited statutory protections that apply statewide — not the fuller URLTA framework. This is an important distinction: the protections available to a Nolensville renter are narrower in some respects than those available to renters in Nashville or Memphis. There is no local rent control, no local just-cause eviction ordinance, and no municipal tenant protections beyond what state law provides.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and individual situations vary — if you are facing an eviction or a serious landlord dispute, contact a qualified attorney or a free legal aid organization in your area.
Nolensville has no rent control, and Tennessee state law makes it illegal for any local government to enact one. Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-35-102 explicitly preempts municipalities and counties from adopting any rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. This prohibition applies statewide, meaning no city or county in Tennessee — including Williamson County or the Town of Nolensville — may limit how much a landlord can charge or increase rent.
In practical terms, this means your landlord may raise your rent by any amount, at any time, as long as proper written notice is given before the increase takes effect. For a month-to-month tenant in Nolensville (outside a URLTA county), that notice period is just 10 days under Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-512. There is no cap on the percentage or dollar amount of an increase, and no requirement that a landlord justify the reason for raising rent. Your only protection is the notice requirement and any terms agreed upon in your written lease.
Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), codified at Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 66-28-101 et seq., applies only in counties with a population of 75,000 or more. Williamson County does not meet that threshold, so Nolensville renters do not receive the full URLTA framework. However, several important statutory protections still apply, and common law governs the landlord-tenant relationship for matters the statutes do not address.
Security Deposits (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301): The security deposit statute applies statewide. Landlords must hold deposits in a separate account, return the deposit within 30 days of move-out, and provide a written itemized statement of any deductions. Wrongful withholding entitles the tenant to the full deposit amount plus actual damages.
Habitability & Repairs: Outside URLTA counties, the implied warranty of habitability is recognized under Tennessee common law. While the detailed repair-and-deduct remedies of § 66-28-304 are not available to Nolensville renters as a statutory matter, landlords are still required to maintain premises in a condition fit for human habitation. Tenants should provide written notice of defects and keep copies of all communications.
Notice to Terminate (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-512): In counties not covered by URLTA, a landlord must give at least 10 days' written notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. Tenants must provide the same 10 days' notice to the landlord. Fixed-term leases end at the agreed date without additional notice unless the lease states otherwise.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-505): This protection applies statewide. A landlord may never remove a tenant by changing locks, removing doors or windows, shutting off utilities, or removing the tenant's personal property without a court order. Doing so exposes the landlord to liability for damages.
Retaliation Protection (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-514): Although this section is part of URLTA, Tennessee courts and advocates recognize that retaliatory evictions or rent increases in response to a tenant's good-faith complaints about housing conditions are improper. Document all repair requests and complaints in writing to protect yourself.
Tennessee's security deposit statute, Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301, applies to all residential rentals in the state, including those in Nolensville. There is no statutory cap on how much a landlord may charge as a security deposit in Tennessee — your lease terms control the amount.
Separate Account Requirement: The landlord must hold your security deposit in a bank account separate from the landlord's personal or operating funds. The landlord is not required to pay you interest on the deposit.
Return Deadline: After you vacate the unit and provide the landlord with a forwarding address, the landlord has 30 days to either return your full deposit or mail you an itemized written statement of deductions along with any remaining balance. The 30-day clock starts on the date of termination of the tenancy or the date you provide your forwarding address, whichever is later.
Penalty for Wrongful Withholding: If your landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the required itemized statement within 30 days, you are entitled to the full deposit amount back plus any actual damages you can prove (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301(g)). To protect your claim, always provide your forwarding address in writing, conduct a move-out walkthrough, take dated photographs of the unit's condition, and keep copies of all correspondence.
Normal Wear and Tear: Landlords may only deduct for damages beyond normal wear and tear, unpaid rent, or other obligations specifically allowed under the lease. Routine wear such as minor scuffs, faded paint, or carpet worn from ordinary use cannot be charged to the tenant.
Tennessee law requires landlords to follow a formal court process to evict a tenant. Self-help eviction — changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out — is illegal under Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-505 and exposes the landlord to damages.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve you with written notice. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing a Detainer Warrant: If you do not comply with the notice, the landlord may file a detainer warrant (eviction complaint) in Williamson County General Sessions Court. You will be served with the warrant and a hearing date, typically within 6 to 10 days after filing.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Attend your hearing. You have the right to present defenses — such as the landlord's failure to maintain the property, improper notice, or retaliation. If the judge rules for the landlord, a judgment for possession is entered.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If you do not appeal or voluntarily vacate, the landlord may obtain a writ of possession after 10 days, which authorizes the sheriff to physically remove you from the property. You have the right to appeal a General Sessions Court judgment to Circuit Court within 10 days of entry (Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-18-128).
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: At no point may your landlord lock you out, remove your belongings, cut off utilities, or otherwise force you out without completing the court process. If this happens, contact legal aid or law enforcement immediately.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws are complex, fact-specific, and subject to change. The information on this page reflects our understanding of Tennessee law as of April 2026, but statutes, local ordinances, and court interpretations may have changed. If you are facing an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any serious landlord-tenant issue, you should consult a licensed attorney or contact a free legal aid organization in your area. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and does not create an attorney-client relationship with any reader.
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