Tennessee Residential Uniform Landlord Tenant Act
- The Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act allows tenants and landlords to craft a lease or rental agreement that meets the needs of both parties. However, a lease or rental agreement cannot require that one party give up any rights that are protected by the Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act. Furthermore, if there is a dispute between landlord and tenant and they need to go to court, a judge can find terms of their agreement to be unconscionable and can refuse to enforce it.
- Landlords are required to place all security deposits into a separate bank account and to inform their tenants of the name of the bank in which their security deposit is kept. Within three days of tenant move-out, landlords are required to note any damages that will result in deductions from the security deposit and offer the former tenant the chance to view these damages. If the tenant disagrees with the landlord regarding any security deposit deductions, the tenant is free to sue the landlord in court.
- Tenants are responsible for paying their rent on time and keeping their rental units clean and undamaged. If a tenant fails to do this, the landlord can send the tenant a 14-day notice instructing the tenant to correct the problems. If this is not done, the landlord has the right to enter the unit and correct the problem or clean the premises himself. The tenant then is responsible for paying for any repairs or cleaning.
- The landlord is responsible for keeping the rental unit up to code, ensuring that all building systems are in working order, and keeping any and all building common areas clean, safe and in good repair. If a landlord fails in these responsibilities, tenants can give written notice to the landlord asking that repairs be made within 14 days. If the landlord does not make these repairs, the tenant may have the option of suing the landlord or terminating her tenancy.
- If a tenant is absent from the building for 30 days and neither paid rent nor explained his absence, the landlord is free to consider the rental unit as abandoned. The landlord can then seize the tenant's property and store it for 30 days. If the tenant doesn't claim his property after 30 days, the landlord can sell the property and deduct any costs and damages from the proceeds. Any balance must be held for the tenant for six months.