Updated August 21, 2023
A Tennessee eviction notice is given by a landlord to a tenant to provide notice of a lease violation. The landlord is required to describe the offense and enter the time period the tenant must comply with the demands. If the tenant resolves the matter, the lease will continue as if the issue never occurred. Otherwise, the landlord will be able to file an eviction lawsuit (Forcible Entry and Detainer) at the General Sessions Court.
By Type (5)
Immediate Notice to Quit (Prostitution or Drug Violations) – This form is for use when a tenant is engaged in certain kinds of illegal behavior for which the landlord can have them removed immediately.
Download: PDF
3-Day Notice to Quit (Illegal Behavior) – This form is for any other kinds of illegal behavior that are an immediate threat. Tenant cannot cure this type of behavior and will have to vacate within 3 days.
Download: PDF
14-Day Notice to Quit (Non-Payment of Rent)– This form is for use when a tenant fails to pay rent on time. A landlord must give tenant 14 days to pay.
Download: PDF, MS Word, OpenDocument
30-Day Notice to Quit (Non-Compliance)– This form is for use when there is a breach of the lease other than for damage or for non-payment of rent. The tenant has 30 days to vacate before the landlord may seek eviction.
Download: PDF
30-Day Notice to Quit (Month-to-Month Tenancy) – This form is for use when a party seeks to inform the other party that they do not intend to renew a month-to-month tenancy.
Download: PDF, MS Word, OpenDocument
Table of Contents |
Eviction Laws
- Rent Grace Period: 5 days to be eligible for charging late fees. § 66-28-201(d)
- Non-Payment of Rent: 14 days. § 66-28-505(a)(2) & § 66-7-109
- Non-Compliance: 30 days. § 66-7-109(b)
- Illegal Behavior: 3 days. § 66-28-517
- Prostitution or Drug Violations: Immediate. § 66-7-107(a)
- Termination (Month-to-Month Lease): 30 days. § 66-28-512(b)
- Eviction Lawsuit: Forcible entry and detainer. Title 29, Chapter 18 (Forcible Entry and Detainer)
Court Forms
Detainer Summons – Used by landlords when a tenant fails to vacate a rental unit and an eviction is needed to remove the individual from the premises.
Writ of Possession – Issued by the court after a landlord prevails in an eviction lawsuit. This document proves that the landlord is entitled to reclaim possession of the rental unit.
When is Rent Due?
Rent is considered late if it is not received on the date specified in the lease between the landlord and tenant. The landlord must notify the tenant that he or she has fourteen (14) days to pay before the landlord may terminate the lease.
How to Evict (4 steps)
- Provide Notice to Tenant
- File Summons with Local Court
- Serve Detainer Warrant on Tenant
- Attend Court Hearing
1. Provide Notice to Tenant
Before beginning an eviction process in court, a landlord must notify the tenant in writing about a breach. Depending on the breach, the tenant may have 14 days or 30 days to cure. Other breaches are not curable and tenant must be out of the premises on the date specified. Types of notices are as follows:
2. File Summons with Local Court
If the tenant does not respond satisfactorily to the notices, the landlord may file a Detainer Summons with the local General Sessions Court. The General Sessions Court must have jurisdiction over the location of the rented premises. The court will set a hearing date.
4. Attend Court Hearing
The hearing will be at least 6 days from the date that the tenant was served. If tenant fails to appear or the landlord proves his case, the court will issue a Writ of Possession, which will entitle Landlord to possession of the Premises. This authorizes to have the Sheriff remove tenant if tenant continues to fail to vacate.