Nashville Residential Lease Agreement

A residential lease agreement in Nashville is a binding document between a landlord and a tenant. This agreement outlines the terms and conditions surrounding the use of a rental property in exchange for periodic payments.

Residential Lease Agreement Requirements in Nashville

Nashville currently has no city-specific residential lease agreement requirements or disclosures. As such, landlords and tenants in Nashville follow Tennessee requirements for lease agreements.

Landlord-Tenant Rights and Regulations in Nashville

When it comes to landlord-tenant rights, landlords should be aware of the following:

Required Notice for Increased Rent

In Nashville, if a 60-day notice is not written into the rental agreement, landlords must give tenants a 90-days notice for rent increases. [1]

Required Notice for Residential Leases

Within 14 days of assigning a lease agreement, landlords in Nashville must provide the following information: [2]

• Landlord’s name
• Address, phone number, and email address for the tenant’s main point of contact
• Location where tenants should deliver the rent
• Any prior knowledge of a termination/non-renewal of the lease agreement

Required Notice for Termination of a Lease Agreement

For leases that are one year or longer, landlords must give tenants a minimum of 60 days’ notice if they intend to terminate the lease agreement. [3]

Conflicts With State Law

Nashville abides by Tennessee’s Residential Landlord-Tenant Act. This means that if any of the above information conflicts with the State, then state law will trump local law. [4]

Property Standards Code Enforcement

In Nashville, the Property Standards Division is responsible for enforcing zoning and building standard codes. Nashville has certain restrictions on “visual clutter” and inoperable automobiles on the premises. [5]

Optional Lease Agreement Disclosures and Addendums in Nashville

While not mandatory, landlords can add specific disclosures and addendums to their leases. This helps outline the responsibilities of the tenant and can prevent future liability issues.

Crime-Free Disclosure

Due to Nashville’s high crime rate, It would be in the landlord’s best interest to include a disclosure stating that engaging in criminal activity, including drug-related activity, is prohibited on or near the property.

Pet Disclosure

Since Nashville is known as a pet-friendly city, landlords may want to address the building’s pet policies. This disclosure should clarify if pets are allowed on the property, the tenant’s responsibility to cover any pet-related damages, and any additional pet fees or restrictions.

Pest Control Disclosure

Nashville has been ranked as the rattiest city in Tennessee. For this reason, it would be wise for landlords to include a pest control disclosure. This agreement should highlight the tenants’ responsibilities related to pest prevention—including reporting any signs of pests to management as soon as possible.

Summary of Required Lease Disclosures for the State of Tennessee

• Landlord’s Name and Address – This creates a line of communication between a landlord and a tenant. Landlords or any authorized individual should provide contact information within or alongside the lease.
• Security Deposit Holdings – When charging and holding a security deposit, Tennessee landlords must disclose the location of the account where the deposit is being held.
• Right to Enter for Showings – This disclosure states that the landlord may enter to show the property without permission if the entry occurs within 30 days of the lease termination and 24 hours notice is given.
• Lead-Based Paint Disclosure – It is a federal law in the United States that any home built before 1978 must disclose the risks posed by lead-based paints.