Tennessee Month-to-Month Lease Agreement

Last Updated: December 13, 2023 by Roberto Valenzuela

A Tennessee month-to-month rental agreement is a contract (not necessarily in writing) which allows a tenant to rent property from a landlord, for one month at a time, in exchange for a fee (“rent”). The rental renews monthly, until either party gives proper notice to end it.

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For information about fixed-term leases in Tennessee (i.e., a term of one year or more), click here.

Basics of a Tennessee Month-to-Month Rental Agreement

In Tennessee, a landlord and tenant create a month-to-month lease by agreeing to rent a property according to acceptable terms. Written rental agreements are clearer and legally stronger, but oral leases are legal in a month-to-month context.

Parties under a month-to-month lease enjoy full rights under Tennessee landlord-tenant law. The tenant must use the property in a responsible way and pay rent on time. The landlord must keep essential features of the property in habitable condition, and protect the tenant’s quiet enjoyment of the lease.

The main difference between a month-to-month lease and a fixed-term lease is that month-to-month leases can be terminated (with proper notice) by either party for any reason without penalty. Landlords also can usually modify terms from one month to the next, again with proper notice.

Required Disclosures for Month-to-Month Rentals in Tennessee

Tennessee landlords may not rent a property out without making the following disclosures to a potential tenant, as relevant:

  • Landlord’s Name and Address – Landlords must give the tenant their name and address, or that of their authorized agent, to enable smooth communication of legal notice.
  • Security Deposit Holdings Disclosure – Tennessee landlords who collect a security deposit must disclose to the tenant the location where the deposit is held.
  • Showings Consent Disclosure – Tennessee landlords may show rental property which is still occupied by a tenant, but only if they explicitly reserve this right in the lease.
  • Lead-Based Paint – Landlords must provide an EPA-approved disclosure and informational pamphlet to tenants renting any property built before 1978.
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The state page for fixed-term leases may have more detailed information on required disclosures.

Required Notice To End a Month-to-Month Rental in Tennessee

Tennessee lets both the landlord or tenant terminate a month-to-month lease with at least 30 days of advance notice. In general, any reason that isn’t landlord retaliation is a legal and valid grounds for ending a month-to-month lease.

Tennessee requires written notice to end a month-to-month lease.

Required Notice To Raise the Rent on a Tennessee Month-to-Month Lease

Tennessee requires that notice for a rental increase be delivered in writing, but there isn’t a particular timeframe for advance notice specified in the law. This means in most cases it’s reasonable for a landlord to use the same guidelines for advance notice that apply for lease termination, namely, 30 days.

Eviction in Tennessee Month-to-Month Rentals

Tennessee tenants may face eviction for violating a month-to-month lease or remaining on the property after the notice period allowed by a valid termination. Evictions in Tennessee typically take four to eight weeks.

For more information on the eviction process in Tennessee, click here.

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