A Tennessee eviction notice is utilized by landlords to initiate the tenant eviction process. This notice adheres to state law, outlining the reasons for eviction and providing the tenant with the legally mandated period to take action or vacate the premises. If the tenant ignores the notice or fails to comply, the landlord can file a lawsuit at their local General Sessions Court.
By Type
7-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit
Give tenants seven days to pay rent if you've sent a similar notice for non-payment of rent in the preceding six months.
14-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit
Give tenants 14 days to pay rent if you haven't sent a similar notice for non-payment of rent in the preceding six months.
7-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Compliance
Begin evicting a tenant if they’ve committed a second lease violation within six months (applies to counties with a population of more than 75,000 people).
14-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Compliance
Begin evicting a tenant if they’ve broken the terms of your lease with 14 days notice (applies to counties with a population of less than 75,000 people).
30-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Compliance
Give tenants 30 days’ notice before the eviction process can proceed in court for non-severe violations (applies to counties with less than 75,000 people).
10-Day Notice Lease Termination
Let a tenant know you’re ending a week-to-week lease.
30-Day Notice Lease Termination
Let a tenant know you’re ending a month-to-month lease.
Eviction Laws & Requirements
- Grace Period for Late Rent: 5 days. Landlords may only impose a late fee after five days of the rental due date (§ 66-28-201).
- Notice of Noncompliance: 7, 14, or 30 days, depending on the county and whether the tenant has been notified for breaking the same lease term within the last six months (§ 66-7-109(b)).
- Illegal Behavior Eviction: 3 days (§ 66-28-517).
- Nonpayment of Rent Notice: 14 days, seven days for repeat offenders within the last six months (§ 66-28-505 and § 66-7-109(a)).
- Month-to-Month Lease Termination: 30 days (§ 66-28-512).
- Immediate Eviction: Landlords may immediately evict tenants for prostitution or drug violations. (§ 66-7-107).
How to Evict a Tenant in Tennessee
Step 1 – Send an Eviction Notice
To start the eviction process, landlords must notify tenants about the lease breach or violation and serve them the appropriate eviction form. Landlords must give the tenants time to cure the violations if applicable (i.e., rent nonpayment).
Step 2 – Wait for a Response
Allow the tenant time to respond to the eviction notice. They may correct the violation, meaning you don’t have to proceed with the following steps.
Step 3 – File for Eviction
If a tenant does not respond to an eviction notice, landlords can file a Detainer Summons with their local General Sessions Court. Landlords must ensure that the court they visit has jurisdiction over the property. If they do, the court will set a hearing date.
Step 4 – Serve the Summons
Landlords must hire the local sheriff to serve a tenant with a Detainer Warrant; they cannot do it themselves. This warrant will alert them of the eviction lawsuit and the court date.
Step 5 – Appear in Court
Both parties will attend the eviction hearing and present their evidence. The judge will compile all evidence to make a fair, informed decision.
Step 6 – Obtain a Writ of Possession
The court will issue a Writ of Possession if the tenant does not appear or the landlord is proven correct. The landlord may then take possession of the premises with the sheriff if necessary.
Related Tennessee Court Forms
- Detainer Summons: This form is used to summon a tenant to court if they fail to abide by the demands of an eviction notice.
- Writ of Possession: The court issues this form if a landlord is found correct during an eviction lawsuit. It entitles the landlord to reclaim possession of their property.
