Knoxville, TN Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- Governing section
- § 6-149, Code of Ordinances
- Housing code adopted
- 2018 Intl. Property Maintenance Code
- Enforcing agency
- Dept. of Neighborhood Codes Enforcement
- City-repair penalty
- 25% penalty added to lien
- Appeal window
- 10 days to Better Building Board
Summary
Knoxville landlords may not rent or offer to rent any building that is unfit or dangerous, dilapidated, fire-hazardous, or lacking ventilation, light, or sanitary facilities, under City Code § 6-149, enforced by the Department of Neighborhood Codes Enforcement.
It shall be unlawful for any owner or any party in interest of a building to rent or offer for rent any building which is unfit or dangerous due to dilapidation, defects increasing hazards of fire, accidents or other calamities, lack of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, or due to other conditions rendering such building unsafe or unsanitary or dangerous or detrimental to the health, safety or morals, or otherwise inimical to the welfare of the residents of the city.
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 80).
Full Breakdown
Knoxville's Code of Ordinances makes it unlawful for any owner or party in interest to rent or offer for rent a building found unfit or dangerous under § 6-143, one so damaged, decayed, dilapidated, unsanitary, vermin-infested, or lacking adequate ventilation, light, or sanitary facilities that it endangers occupants' health and safety. The city adopted the 2018 International Property Maintenance Code as its Housing Code (§ 6-151), enforced through the Department of Neighborhood Codes Enforcement, the public officer, and the Better Building Board, which can order repair, demolition, or vacating of the property (§§ 6-144, 6-148).
Violations & Fines
Violating § 6-149 exposes owners to Better Building Board orders to repair, vacate, or demolish; noncompliance lets the city do the work and place a lien plus a 25% penalty on the property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a Knoxville landlord rent out a condemned property?
What standard decides if a rental is unfit?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Knoxville
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