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Rental Property Rules

Rental Property Rules in Nashville, TN: What Residents Actually Need to Know

By CityRuleLookup Editorial Team

If you live in Nashville or are thinking about moving there, rental property rules are one of those things you probably won't think about until they affect you directly. Nashville has 2 specific rules on the books covering different aspects of rental property rules, and some of them might surprise you.

Rental Registration

Landlords with one or more dwelling units in Nashville and Davidson County must register with the department of codes administration or face a $50-per-week fine.

Key details: Governing section: Metro Code § 16.33.170. Registration fee: $10, renewed annually. Update deadline: 30 days after any change. Noncompliance penalty: $50 per week. Enacted: Ord. BL2023-1839 (2023).

Failure to register, or to report an ownership change within 30 days, can bring a $50-per-week fine after a required notice-and-hearing before the department of codes administration.

Compared to other cities, Nashville takes a harder line on rental registration. The enforcement and penalty structure reflects that.

Repairs & Habitability

Metro Nashville landlords must keep rental units safe, clean, and sanitary under Metro Code § 16.24.310, and must supply heat maintaining 65°F from October 1 to April 30 under § 16.24.470.

Key details: Owner duty: Safe, clean, sanitary condition required. Heat standard: 65°F minimum, Oct 1 to Apr 30. Enforcement: Dept. of Codes Administration, written notice. Penalty: Misdemeanor, strict-liability offense per day. Scope: Metro Nashville-Davidson Co., not satellite cities.

Unresolved notices go to prosecution as a misdemeanor and a strict-liability offense (§ 16.24.180); each day a violation continues is a separate offense (§ 16.24.200), and repeat violations skip the notice step and go straight to court (§ 16.24.190).

The Bottom Line

Nashville's rental property rules rules are a mixed bag. Some areas are strict, others are relaxed, and the details matter. The best approach is to check the specific rule that applies to your situation rather than assuming Nashville is broadly strict or permissive.

All of the above reflects Nashville's municipal code as of our last review. If you need specifics on fines, exemptions, or filing requirements, the detailed ordinance pages linked above have the full breakdown.