- Landlord Responsibilities. Maintain all plumbing, electrical, sanitation facilities, heating, and ventilation in good repair (read more).
- Making Repairs. Landlords are required to make and pay for repairs for items under their responsibility. They must do so within 14 days after receiving a written request from tenants (read more).
- Tenant Options. If repairs aren’t made in a timely manner, tenant can’t withhold rent, but does have right to repair and deduct, report the issue to a public official or file a lawsuit (read more).
- Retaliation. If a landlord is reported to a local city or county inspector for housing code violations, it is illegal for a landlord to retaliate, such as by threatening eviction (read more).
The implied warranty of habitability in Tennessee does not apply to all types of dwellings. See the table below for which are & aren’t included.
| Dwelling Type | Landlord/Tenant Laws Apply? |
| Single family | Yes |
| Multi-family | Yes |
| Fraternities/Sororities/Clubs | Not specifically addressed |
| RV parks | Not specifically addressed |
| Mobile home parks | Not specifically addressed |
| Condos | Only if person in condo is renter, not owner |
| Hotels/Motels | No |
Landlord Responsibilities
The following chart lists possible landlord responsibilities when it comes to habitability. Not all of them are requirements in Tennessee, as indicated below.
Note: some of the below items may not be addressed at the state level but may be addressed on a county or city level. Check your local housing codes to see which additional requirements may apply.
| Habitability Issue | Landlord Responsibility? |
| Provide windows and doors that are in good repair. | Yes |
| Ensure the roof, walls, etc., are completely waterproofed and there are no leaks. | Yes |
| Provide hot and cold running water. | Yes |
| Provide working HVAC equipment. | AC not required |
| Provide working plumbing and electrical wiring/outlets/ lighting. | Yes |
| Provide working gas lines if used for utilities/cooking | Yes |
| Provide working sanitation facilities (bathtub/shower, toilet). | Yes |
| Provide a trash can (for trash pickup services). | Multi-family units |
| Ensure that any stairs and railings are safe. | Yes |
| Ensure that all floors are in good condition and safe. | Yes |
| Provide fire exits that are usable, safe, and clean. | Not addressed |
| Ensure storage areas, including garages and basements, do not house combustible materials. | Not addressed |
| Provide working smoke detectors | Not addressed |
| Provide a mailbox. | Not addressed |
| Provide working wiring for one telephone jack. | Not addressed |
| Provide working kitchen appliances. | No |
| Provide working carbon monoxide detector. | Not addressed |
| Provide a working washer/dryer. | No |
Vermin
Landlords are required to keep rental units free from pests and vermin, but are not required to treat the units more than twice per year.
Making Repairs
Landlords are required to make and pay for any repairs to make the unit livable that are not caused by the tenant.
- Sending notice. If a tenant request repairs, they must put their request in writing to the landlord. The landlord will then have 14 days to make necessary repairs.
- Landlord access. Tenants are required to give the landlord access to the property to make necessary repairs. However, the landlord must get their tenants’ permission prior to entry unless it’s an emergency.
Tenant’s Options if Repairs Aren’t Made
If repairs aren’t made in a timely manner, the tenant has a few possible options for resolving the issue.
- Withhold rent – Tennessee landlord tenant law does not permit a tenant to withhold rent in response to habitability issues. The tenant, however, is allowed to move into temporary housing until the landlord corrects the issue. The tenant is not required to pay any rent to the landlord while in temporary housing.
- Repair and deduct – tenants have the right to repair the issue themselves and deduct a reasonable amount for the repair from the following month’s rent.
- Lawsuit – tenants do have the right to pursue legal action for damages resulting from habitability issues.
- Reporting to Public Officials – tenants can report the landlord to a city or county level to housing inspectors if necessary repairs are not made. If the landlord is found to be in violation of any local housing codes, the building inspector will give the landlord 30 days to make corrections to the unit’s condition.
Landlord Retaliation
Landlords are prohibited from harassing or retaliating against tenants who exercise their legal rights. In Tennessee, landlords are prohibited from terminating a lease, refusing to renew a lease, or imposing fines to a tenant for:
- complaining to the landlord regarding the deposit,
- complaining to a government agency,
- or exercising a legal right.