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Security Deposit Laws in Tennessee

Tennessee does not cap security deposits or set a fixed refund deadline, requiring instead that the landlord notify the tenant of any refund due, and it sets 24 hours' notice only for showings in the last 30 days of a lease.

Last checked . General information, not legal advice.

Tennessee at a glance

Security deposit limit
No statewide limit
State law sets no maximum deposit
Deposit return deadline
No fixed deadline
No fixed refund deadline; landlord must send notice of the refund due, and may keep it if tenant does not respond within 60 days
Interest on deposits
Not required by state law
Some cities have their own interest rules
Notice before landlord entry
See the rule
No general notice period; 24 hours' notice for showings in the final 30 days if the lease allows

Sources

Last checked

The rules in Tennessee

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Tennessee?

Tennessee law sets no statewide limit on security deposits, so the amount is set by the lease. Check for local rules where you rent.

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Tennessee?

Tennessee rule: No fixed refund deadline; landlord must send notice of the refund due, and may keep it if tenant does not respond within 60 days.

Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Tennessee?

No. Tennessee state law does not require landlords to pay interest on security deposits. Some cities have their own rules.

How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Tennessee?

Tennessee rule: No general notice period; 24 hours' notice for showings in the final 30 days if the lease allows.

Where do the Tennessee rules for residential leases come from?

They come from Tenn. Code Ann. 66-28-301, Tenn. Code Ann. 66-28-403 and Tenn. Code Ann. 66-28-102. We last checked them in October 2026. Laws change, so check the current statute before you rely on it.

How Tennessee compares

Tennessee is one of 21 jurisdictions with no statewide cap.

What this means in practice

Landlords: state the deposit amount, where it is held and how it will be returned in the lease, and send the refund with any deductions in writing within the deadline.

Tenants: record the unit's condition with photos and a move-in checklist, keep your receipts, and give the landlord a forwarding address in writing when you move out.

Both sides: normal wear and tear is generally not deductible. Disputes over deductions usually go to small claims court.

General information, not legal advice. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules, so check the current statute before you rely on it.