Landlord–Tenant Disputes in Tennessee

Nashville Landlord–Tenant Lawyers

Disputes between landlords and tenants can escalate quickly—missed rent, needed repairs, property damage, security deposit issues, or an attempted eviction can disrupt finances, housing, and peace of mind. Tennessee law provides a clear framework for resolving these conflicts, but the rules differ depending on where you live. Some counties follow the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA) found in T.C.A. § 66-28-101 et seq., while others follow more general landlord–tenant principles under T.C.A. Title 29 and T.C.A. Title 66.

Freeman & Fuson represents both landlords and tenants across Middle Tennessee in lease disputes, evictions, repairs, security deposit issues, and breach-of-lease claims. Whether you are protecting your property or protecting your home, we can guide you through the law and fight for a fair outcome.

Practice Areas 

Understanding Tennessee Landlord–Tenant Law

Tennessee’s landlord–tenant rules depend on whether the county is governed by the URLTA (T.C.A. § 66-28-101–501).

URLTA applies only in counties with a population of 68,000 or more, including:
Davidson, Williamson, Rutherford, Sumner, Wilson, Montgomery, Maury, Hamilton, Knox, Shelby, Madison, Anderson, Blount, Bradley, Greene, Putnam, Sevier, Sullivan, and Washington Counties.

In URLTA counties, landlord and tenant duties are strictly defined by statute, including rules for:

• Required disclosures
• Security deposits (T.C.A. § 66-28-301)
• Repair obligations
• Lease termination requirements (T.C.A. § 66-28-505)
• Notice requirements for nonpayment, breaches, and repairs
• Eviction procedures (also guided by T.C.A. § 29-18-101 et seq.)

In non-URLTA counties, the general principles of contract law, property law, and forcible entry and detainer statutes apply.

Landlords: Protecting Your Property & Income

Rental property is a valuable asset, and landlords rely on tenants to pay rent on time and maintain the premises. When a tenant falls behind on rent, violates the lease, damages property, or refuses to leave, the situation can become costly quickly.

We assist landlords with:

• Drafting and reviewing lease agreements tailored to your property
• Enforcing lease terms under T.C.A. § 66-28-501 (URLTA counties)
• Proper notice for nonpayment of rent (14-day / 30-day notices under T.C.A. § 66-28-505)
• Evictions (forcible entry and detainer actions under T.C.A. § 29-18-101 et seq.)
• Recovering unpaid rent, damages, and attorney’s fees
• Addressing tenant property damage and repair-cost disputes
• Security deposit disputes under T.C.A. § 66-28-301

Landlords must follow strict statutory procedures; failing to provide proper notice or mishandling a security deposit can jeopardize the case. Freeman & Fuson helps ensure the process is done correctly and efficiently.

Tenants: Protecting Your Home & Your Rights

Tenants have significant protections under Tennessee law—especially in URLTA counties where landlords must meet statutory obligations.

We represent tenants facing:

• Wrongful eviction attempts
• Landlords who refuse to make repairs as required by T.C.A. § 66-28-304
• Unsafe or uninhabitable living conditions
• Retaliatory actions for requesting repairs (T.C.A. § 66-28-514)
• Improper or unlawful security deposit handling (T.C.A. § 66-28-301)
• Violations of notice requirements for lease termination
• Breach-of-lease allegations
• Issues involving landlord entry or privacy violations (T.C.A. § 66-28-403)

Whether your landlord is ignoring repair requests, withholding your deposit, or trying to remove you improperly, we work to enforce your rights and pursue fair outcomes in court if necessary.

Common Landlord–Tenant Disputes We Handle

Freeman & Fuson assists landlords and tenants in cases involving:

We analyze leases, correspondence, notices, and property-condition evidence to build a strong case on your behalf—whether seeking to enforce rights or defend against accusations.