Rental Property Rules in Nashville, TN (2026)
8 verified rental property rules for Nashville, Tennessee, sourced directly from the municipal code and official government pages.
Verified from official government sources
Rent Control
Nashville does not have rent control. Tennessee state law (T.C.A. § 66-35-102) preempts local governments from enacting rent control or rent stabilization ordinances. Landlords in Nashville may set and increase rents without government-imposed limits.
Nashville Rent Control & Stabilization
Few RestrictionsJust Cause Eviction
Nashville does not have a just-cause eviction ordinance. Tennessee follows standard landlord-tenant law (T.C.A. Title 66, Chapter 28) which allows landlords to terminate tenancies for specific causes (non-payment, lease violations) or by giving proper notice for no-cause terminations. No local just-cause protections exist.
Nashville Just Cause Eviction Protections
Few RestrictionsRental Registration
Nashville requires short-term rental property (STRP) permits under Title 17, but does not have a general rental registration or licensing requirement for long-term residential rentals. Landlords of traditional rentals must comply with the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (T.C.A. Title 66, Ch. 28) and maintain properties to Metro property standards.
Nashville Rental Property Registration
Some RestrictionsSecurity Deposit Rules
Tennessee imposes no statutory cap on security deposit amount, but the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act requires deposits to be held in a separate bank account and itemized within thirty days of move-out under TCA 66-28-301.
Tennessee Security Deposit Limits
Some RestrictionsPass-Through Charges
Tennessee permits landlords to pass through utility, trash, pest, and capital-improvement fees if disclosed in the lease; Nashville imposes no local cap because TCA 66-35-101 preempts municipal limits on rent or fees.
Tennessee Rules on Tenant Pass-Through Fees
Few RestrictionsTenant Anti-Harassment
Nashville has no dedicated anti-harassment ordinance, so tenants rely on Tennessee URLTA retaliation prohibitions (TCA 66-28-514) and general civil claims for landlord harassment, lockouts, or utility shutoffs in Davidson County.
Nashville Tenant Harassment Remedies
Few RestrictionsSource-of-Income Discrimination
Tennessee state law and Metro Code do not prohibit landlord discrimination based on lawful source of income, including Section 8 vouchers; only federal protected classes apply, leaving Nashville voucher holders with no enforceable refusal claim.
No Source-of-Income Protection in Nashville
Few RestrictionsEviction Moratorium History
Nashville never enacted a local eviction moratorium during COVID-19; Davidson County renters relied solely on the federal CDC moratorium (2020-2021) and state-administered HOPE rental assistance, with eviction filings resuming July 2021.
Nashville Eviction Moratorium Record
Few RestrictionsLooking for Davidson County county-wide rules?
County ordinances apply to unincorporated areas and may supplement Nashville city rules.
Rental Property Rules in Davidson County →