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 exceeds the 75,000-resident threshold that triggers Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), Nolensville renters are covered by the full URLTA framework — the same protections available to renters in Nashville or Memphis. This includes a 30-day notice period to end a month-to-month tenancy, a 30-day itemized security-deposit return rule, statutory repair remedies, and anti-retaliation protections. 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. Because Williamson County is a URLTA county, a landlord must give a month-to-month tenant at least 30 days' written notice under Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-512(b). 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 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 in counties with a population of 75,000 or more. Williamson County exceeds that threshold, so Nolensville renters are covered by the full URLTA framework. The key protections are summarized below.
Security Deposits (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301): 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 additional damages.
Habitability & Repairs (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-304): Landlords must maintain the premises in a fit and habitable condition. After a tenant gives written notice of a needed repair, the landlord has 14 days to act (or a reasonable time for emergencies); available remedies include rent escrow and lease termination. Tenants should provide written notice of defects and keep copies of all communications.
Notice to Terminate (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-512(b)): A landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. Tenants must provide the same 30 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): 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): It is unlawful for a landlord to retaliate against a tenant — through eviction, a rent increase, or reduced services — for making a good-faith complaint about housing conditions or exercising a legal right. 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. Because Williamson County is a URLTA county, 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, 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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