Tennessee Eviction Notice Overview
Tennessee Requires 14-Day Notice, Not 3-Day
Under T.C.A. §66-28-505, Tennessee landlords must provide a 14-day notice for non-payment of rent. A 3-day notice is not recognized in Tennessee for any residential eviction purpose. The 14-day period cannot be shortened by the lease agreement.
Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (T.C.A. §66-28-101 et seq.) governs evictions. For non-payment of rent, §66-28-505 requires a written 14-day notice. A 3-day notice is not valid in Tennessee for non-payment purposes. This makes Tennessee's non-payment notice period significantly longer than neighboring states.
Tennessee evictions are filed in general sessions court. Nashville (Davidson County), Memphis (Shelby County), Knoxville (Knox County), and Chattanooga (Hamilton County) see the highest eviction volumes. The state does not have rent control or local just-cause eviction laws, but the 14-day notice for non-payment is a statutory minimum that cannot be reduced by lease.
14 Days
Non-payment notice
$50-$130
Filing fees
Written
Notice required
3-6 wks
Court process
Tennessee Legal Requirements
Tennessee's 14-day notice must comply with the URLTA. The notice must clearly demand the past-due rent and give the tenant the full statutory period to pay or vacate.
Required Notice Elements
- Written Notice: Must be in writing per T.C.A. §66-28-505
- 14-Day Period: Full 14 calendar days to pay or vacate
- Rent Amount: Exact amount of past-due rent
- Tenant Names: All tenants on the lease
- Property Address: Complete rental property address
- Landlord Contact: Landlord or agent name and contact information
How to Serve an Eviction Notice in Tennessee
Tennessee allows personal delivery, certified mail, and other approved methods. Proof of service is required when filing the detainer warrant in general sessions court.
Prepare the 14-Day Notice
Verify rent amount and complete all required fields.
Personal Delivery
Hand deliver to the tenant. This is the most reliable method in Tennessee.
Certified Mail
Send via certified mail, return receipt requested, if personal delivery fails.
Document Service
Record date, time, and method for the court filing.
File Detainer Warrant After 14 Days
If the tenant does not pay or vacate, file a detainer warrant in general sessions court.
Tennessee Eviction Timeline
After the 14-day notice, the landlord files a detainer warrant. Tennessee general sessions courts typically schedule hearings within 6-10 days after the warrant is issued.
If the landlord prevails, the court issues a writ of possession. The tenant has 10 days to appeal. If no appeal is filed, the sheriff enforces the writ.
Total time from notice to lockout: 5-8 weeks (uncontested) or 2-4 months (contested). Nashville and Memphis may have longer timelines due to high caseloads. Appeals to circuit court add 1-2 months.
Tennessee Court Fees & Costs
Below are the typical costs associated with the eviction process in Tennessee. Actual fees may vary by county.
| Fee / Cost | Typical Amount |
|---|---|
| General Sessions Filing | $50 - $130 |
| Service of Warrant | $25 - $50 |
| Writ of Possession | $25 - $60 |
| Attorney Fees (optional) | $500 - $2,000 |
| Sheriff Enforcement | $50 - $150 |
Sample Tennessee Eviction Notice
Below is a preview of the Tennessee-compliant eviction notice.
14-DAY NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT
STATE OF TENNESSEE
Pursuant to T.C.A. §66-28-505
TO TENANT(S):
Name: [Full Legal Name]
Address: [Tennessee Property Address]
RENT DEMAND:
Past-due rent: $[Amount]
Period: [Month/Year]
NOTICE
You have FOURTEEN (14) DAYS from service to pay the full past-due rent of $[Amount] for [Month/Year] or surrender possession. Failure to comply will result in the filing of a detainer warrant in general sessions court.