Tennessee Eviction Notice Overview
Tennessee does not use a 7-day eviction notice. Under the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act as adopted by Tennessee (TCA 66-28-505), landlords must give a 14-day noticefor non-payment of rent. Tennessee is one of the few southern states with a relatively long notice period. The eviction process is called a 'detainer warrant' and is filed in General Sessions Court.
Tennessee's URLTA (TCA Title 66, Chapter 28) governs residential rentals statewide. Tennessee has 95 counties with General Sessions Courts. Davidson County (Nashville), Shelby County (Memphis), Knox County (Knoxville), and Hamilton County (Chattanooga) handle the highest volumes. Tennessee recently modernized its eviction process with online filing capabilities in some counties.
14 Days
Notice period
$50 - $100
Filing fee
TN Code
Governing law
General Sessions
Court level
Why Tennessee Uses 14 Days, Not 7
Important: Tennessee Requires a 14-Day Notice, Not 7
TCA 66-28-505(b) requires a 14-day notice for non-payment of rent. For material lease violations, a 14-day notice to cure is also required under TCA 66-28-505(a). Using a 7-day notice would be insufficient in Tennessee.
Tennessee Notice Periods at a Glance
- 14-Day Notice — Non-Payment (TCA 66-28-505(b)): Tenant has 14 days to pay all rent owed
- 14-Day Notice — Lease Violations (TCA 66-28-505(a)): Tenant has 14 days to cure material noncompliance
- 14-Day Unconditional — Repeat Violations: If same violation recurs within 6 months
- 30-Day Notice — Month-to-Month (TCA 66-28-512): 30 days notice to terminate
Tennessee Notice Requirements
Tennessee courts require that eviction notices meet specific content and format standards. An incomplete or incorrectly timed notice will result in dismissal of the eviction case.
Required Notice Content
- Property Address: Full address including unit number, city, and zip code
- Tenant Names: All tenants named on the lease or rental agreement
- Amount Owed or Violation: Exact dollar amount of rent due, or specific description of the lease violation
- Correct Notice Period: 14 days for non-payment as required by Tennessee law
- Consequence Statement: That eviction proceedings will be filed if the tenant does not cure or vacate
- Landlord Information: Name and contact information of the landlord or property manager
How to Serve an Eviction Notice in Tennessee
Tennessee law provides specific methods for serving eviction notices. Proper service and documentation are essential for the court filing.
Personal Delivery
Hand-deliver to the tenant in person.
Certified Mail
Send via certified mail with return receipt.
Posting
Post on the door and mail a copy.
Document Service
Prepare proof of service for General Sessions Court.
Tennessee Eviction Timeline
The Tennessee eviction process follows a specific timeline from notice through court proceedings to enforcement.
Serve 14-day notice per TCA 66-28-505(b)
File detainer warrant in General Sessions Court
Hearing set within 6-21 days; tenant served
Hearing held; judgment entered
Writ of possession issued; sheriff enforces removal
Tennessee evictions take 6-8 weeks uncontested. Contested cases take 8-14 weeks. Nashville and Memphis courts may have longer timelines. Tenant has 10 days to appeal to Circuit Court.
Tennessee Eviction Fees & Costs
Below are the typical costs for an eviction proceeding in Tennessee General Sessions Court. Actual fees may vary by county.
| Fee / Cost | Typical Amount |
|---|---|
| General Sessions Filing Fee | $50 - $100 |
| Service of Process | $20 - $50 |
| Writ of Possession | $25 - $50 |
| Attorney Fees (optional) | $500 - $2,000 |
| Appeal to Circuit Court | $150 - $250 |
Sample Tennessee Eviction Notice
Below is a preview of a Tennessee-compliant eviction notice that meets the requirements of TCA 66-28-505.
14-DAY NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR VACATE
STATE OF TENNESSEE
Pursuant to TCA 66-28-505(b)
LANDLORD:
Name: [Full Legal Name]
Address: [Tennessee Address]
TENANT(S):
Name(s): [All Tenant Names]
Rental Address: [Full Property Address]
NOTICE:
You have FOURTEEN (14) DAYS to pay $[Amount] in full or vacate.
TENNESSEE COMPLIANCE NOTE
Tennessee requires 14 days for non-payment (TCA 66-28-505(b)), not 7 days.