Free Tennessee Residential Lease/Rental Agreement

Table of Contents

• Tennessee Residential Lease Agreement Sample
• Tennessee Landlord and Tenant Laws

All rental agreements will contain some similar standard provisions and information, specifically:

1. the names and identifying details of the landlord and tenant,
2. address of the premises,
3. pet prohibitions,
4. health hazard disclosures,
5. security deposit details

Every state will have state-specific rental and leasing requirements, sometimes differing on important issues.

Make sure you familiarize yourself with Tennessee’s specific requirements and nuances to best protect your legal and financial rights.

Select the appropriate state where your Lease/Rental Agreement is to be executed to learn about important requirements and differences.

1. Tennessee Residential Lease Agreement Sample

The sample lease agreement below describes a contract between “Landlord” Betty Michaels and “Tenant” Ron Freeman. He agrees to rent a house in Nashville for $1,500 per month and continuing on a month-by-month basis. The tenant agrees to pay for all utilities and services for the Premises.

This is a good example of what provisions a simple lease agreement might contain, and how one should look in its final form.

2. Tennessee Landlord and Tenant Laws

Tennessee imposes additional and distinct requirements for landlords and tenants when executing a Lease/Rental Agreement. For example, Tennessee law provides for the following:

Security Deposit:

1. A landlord is not restricted in how much they may request a tenant pay as a security deposit. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301)

Landlord Right of Entry:

1.   A landlord is not required to give notice, written or oral, before entering a tenant’s property.  (No statute)

Additionally, Tennessee laws regarding landlords and tenants allow:

Abandonment:

1. A landlord may assume abandonment of the property by the tenant if there is an extended or unexplained absence from the property for thirty (30) or more days without payment of rent, or when a tenant fails to pay rent for fifteen (15) days past the due date, and reasonable circumstances point to the tenant having abandoned the property. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-405).

Prospective Tenants:

1. If provided for in the lease, a landlord may show the property to prospective future tenants during the last thirty (30) days of tenancy. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-403(e))
2. A landlord must give 24 hours’ notice to a tenant before showing the premises to prospective future tenants. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-403(e))

Further Contact Details:

1. A landlord must disclose in writing to the tenant the contact details of the owner of the property or agent authorized to act on behalf of the owner. (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-302)