Tennessee landlord-tenant law treats bed bug infestations as habitability concerns. Knoxville rental property owners must address infestations promptly when tenants report them, and the Health Department provides guidance.
Although Tennessee has no dedicated state bed bug statute, the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (TCA 66-28) and the Knoxville Property Maintenance Code require rental units to be fit for habitation. Landlords must respond to written notice of bed bug infestations and arrange professional treatment when the infestation predates the tenancy or affects multiple units. Tenants are expected to cooperate by preparing units for treatment and not introducing infested furniture. The Knox County Health Department offers identification guidance but does not provide free extermination. Multi-unit buildings often require treatment of adjacent units to prevent migration.
Landlords ignoring documented bed bug complaints in URLTA-covered counties may face habitability claims, rent escrow, and Environmental Court referral; tenants causing reinfestation can be liable for treatment costs.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville has no general City Code ordinance restricting lawn ornaments, garden statues, religious displays, or yard decorations on private residential prope...
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville has no City Code ordinance specifically regulating inflatable holiday displays on private residential property. Inflatables must stay within the pr...
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville has no dedicated City Code ordinance regulating the timing, brightness, or quantity of residential holiday light displays. General electrical safet...
Knoxville, TN
Permanent outdoor kitchens in Knoxville require Plans Review & Inspections permits when they include gas lines, plumbing, electrical work, or structures. Nat...
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville treats wood smokers, pellet grills, and other solid-fuel cooking equipment under the 2024 International Fire Code as adopted in City Code Chapter 1...
Knoxville, TN
Knoxville has adopted the 2024 International Fire Code under City Code Chapter 11, Article II (Sections 11-21 to 11-22), effective January 2025. IFC Section ...
See how Knoxville's bed-bug rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.