Rental Property Rules in Knoxville, TN (2026)
7 verified rental property rules for Knoxville, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Knoxville cannot impose rent control or rent stabilization. Tennessee Code Annotated 66-35-101 preempts municipalities from regulating private rental rates, fees, or lease terms tied to amount of rent.
Tennessee preempts all local rent control
Few RestrictionsJust Cause Eviction
Knoxville follows Tennessee URLTA at TCA 66-28, which permits no-fault non-renewal at lease end. The state does not require just-cause eviction, and local just-cause ordinances would be preempted.
No just-cause eviction under Tennessee URLTA
Few RestrictionsRental Registration
Knoxville does not operate a general rental registration program. Property maintenance and minimum housing standards apply through Code Enforcement under Chapter 19, but there is no citywide rental license requirement.
No citywide rental registry currently required
Few RestrictionsSecurity Deposit Rules
Knoxville landlords follow Tennessee URLTA security deposit rules at TCA 66-28-301, which require separate accounting, written itemization of deductions, and prompt return of remaining funds after move-out.
Tennessee URLTA governs deposits and itemization
Some RestrictionsNo-Fault Evictions
Knoxville landlords may decline to renew a lease at term end without cause, and may terminate month-to-month tenancies with 30 days written notice under TCA 66-28-512, with no local prohibition.
No-fault non-renewal allowed under Tennessee law
Few RestrictionsTenant Anti-Harassment
Tennessee URLTA prohibits retaliation against tenants for asserting legal rights, but Knoxville has no separate tenant anti-harassment ordinance imposing additional damages or registration on landlords beyond the state framework.
URLTA bars retaliation but no separate harassment ordinance
Some RestrictionsSection 8 Voucher Acceptance
Knoxville landlords are not required to accept Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. Tennessee has no source-of-income protection and Knoxville has not adopted a local ordinance, so participation remains voluntary.