If you’re a landlord seeking to evict a tenant, use a Tennessee (TN) eviction notice to begin the process. Your eviction notice must be written according to Tennessee state law, and give your tenant the legally required amount of time to respond or move out.
In Tennessee, eviction lawsuits are governed by Title 29, Chapter 18 of the Tennessee Code.
Eviction notices in Tennessee are also known as:
- Tennessee Notice to Quit
- Tennessee Notice to Quit for Non-Payment of Rent
- Tennessee Notice to Vacate
- Tennessee Lease Termination
Tennessee Eviction Notices by Type
Download a free eviction notice customized for Tennessee state law below in MS Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF format
10-Day Lease Termination: Use this notice to let a tenant know that you’re ending a week-to-week lease, and that they must prepare to leave your property. In Tennessee, landlords must give tenants 10 days’ notice to move out if they’re on a week-to-week lease.
Download: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
30-Day Lease Termination: Use this notice to let a tenant know that you’re ending a month-to-month lease, and that they must prepare to leave your property. In Tennessee, landlords must give tenants 30 days’ notice to move out if they’re on a month-to-month lease.
Download: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
7-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Compliance: Use this notice to begin evicting a tenant if they’ve broken the terms of your lease. In Tennessee counties with a population of over 75,000 people, landlords must give tenants 7 days’ notice if the landlord has sent the tenant a similar notice for the same violation in the preceding six months. After that period of time has passed, the eviction can proceed in court. However, during that time, tenants may have the option to fix (or “cure”) the problem.
Download: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
14-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Compliance: Use this notice to begin evicting a tenant if they’ve broken the terms of your lease. In Tennessee counties with a population of over 75,000 people, landlords must give tenants 14 days’ notice if the landlord has NOT sent the tenant a similar notice for the same violation in the preceding six months. After that period of time has passed, the eviction can proceed in court. However, during that time, tenants may have the option to fix (or “cure”) the problem.
Download: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
30-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Compliance: Use this notice to begin evicting a tenant if they’ve broken the terms of your lease. In Tennessee counties with a population of less than 75,000 people, landlords must give tenants 30 days’ notice before the eviction process can proceed in court. In that time, tenants may have the option to fix (or “cure”) the problem.
Download: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
7-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit: Use this notice to begin evicting a tenant if they haven’t paid rent on time. In Tennessee, landlords must give tenants seven days to pay rent if the landlord has sent a similar notice for non-payment of rent in the preceding six months. After this period of time, the eviction process can proceed in court.
Download: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
If you wish to send a letter simply reminding your tenant that rent is late (without threat of eviction), use a late rent notice.
14-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit: Use this notice to begin evicting a tenant if they haven’t paid rent on time. In Tennessee, landlords must give tenants 14 days to pay rent if the landlord has not had to send a similar notice for non-payment of rent in the preceding six months. After this period of time, the eviction process can proceed in court.
Download: Word (.docx) or Adobe PDF
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 Non-Compliance: 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)
- Non-Payment of Rent Notice: 14 days, 7 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)
What is the Eviction Process in Tennessee?
Step 1: Send an eviction notice
To start the eviction process, landlords must notify tenants about the lease breach or violation, along with serving them the appropriate eviction form. Landlords must give the tenants time to cure the breaches if applicable (i.e. rent nonpayment).
Step 2: Wait for a response
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 in question. If they do, the Court will set a hearing date.
Step 3: Allow the sheriff to handle the situation
Landlords must hire the local sheriff to serve a tenant with a Detainer Warrant; they cannot do it themselves.
Step 4: Appear in court
A hearing date will be set. 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 failed to abide by the demands of an eviction notice.
Writ of Possession: This form is issued by the court if a landlord is found correct during an eviction lawsuit. It entitles the landlord to reclaim possession of their property.
Eviction Information for Tennessee Landlords and Tenants
Both landlords and tenants should know their rights and responsibilities to ensure fair dealings on both sides. Read every lease agreement carefully and use these resources for more information.
Landlords
Tennessee landlords must be careful to serve a tenant the correct eviction notice depending on circumstances. Self-help evictions are not permitted in Tennessee, meaning landlords should never change the locks or shut off the utilities before going through the eviction process and receiving a court order.
Tenants
- Legal Assistance for Landlords/Tenants: The official Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) government website provides information for Tennessee tenants in need of legal aid.
- Department of Commerce and Insurance, Division of Consumer Affairs: Information to protect yourself from deceptive business practices.
- Tennessee Human Rights Commission: Information to prevent discrimination in public accommodation or housing.
- Tennessee Fair Housing Council: A non-profit advocacy group dedicated to ending housing discrimination across the state.
- Tips for First-Time Renters: Advice provided by the Tennessee government website for individuals renting for the first time.
