Nashville, TN Rental Property Rules: Repairs & Habitability (2026)
Key Facts
- 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
Summary
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.
The owner of the premises shall fully maintain the buildings, structures and premises in compliance with these requirements, except as otherwise provided for in this chapter. An owner shall not occupy or permit another person to occupy a building, structure, or premises which is not in a safe, clean, and sanitary condition and or which does not comply with the requirements of this chapter. Any occupant of a building, structure, or premises, or part thereof, and any person or entity that operates in, on, or otherwise controls any building, structure, premises, or part thereof, is responsible for keeping that part of the building, structure, or premises, which they occupy, operate in or on, or otherwise control, in a safe, clean, and sanitary condition in compliance with this chapter.
(Ord. BL2001-585 § 1 (part), 2001)
Official source re-checked September 7, 2026: no newer edition of the code had been published (publisher’s edition: Code of Ordinances: Supplement 53 | Charter: Republication 9).
Full Breakdown
Metropolitan Code of Laws § 16.24.310 bars an owner from occupying or letting anyone occupy a building or premises that isn't in a safe, clean, and sanitary condition, and requires the owner to maintain it under the property-standards chapter. Owners who rent dwelling units must also supply heat every October 1 through April 30, keeping habitable rooms, bathrooms, and toilet rooms at not less than 65°F under § 16.24.470(C). Exterior grounds, plumbing, and structural elements carry their own numeric standards in the same chapter. The Department of Codes Administration enforces this across Metro Nashville and Davidson County; the six satellite cities (Belle Meade, Berry Hill, Forest Hills, Goodlettsville, Oak Hill, Ridgetop) run their own separate codes and aren't covered by this chapter.
Violations & Fines
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).
Frequently Asked Questions
What habitability standards apply to Nashville rentals?
Is heat required in Nashville rental units?
What happens if a landlord violates property standards?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Nashville
Compare Nashville to another location·View the Tennessee rental property rules overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.