Tennessee URLTA prohibits landlords from changing locks, shutting off utilities, or removing belongings to force a tenant out (TCA 66-28-504). Retaliation for code complaints filed in the prior six months is also barred (TCA 66-28-514).
Memphis tenants cannot be locked out, have utilities cut, or have property seized without a court-ordered writ of possession. Tennessee's self-help eviction ban (TCA 66-28-504) lets a tenant recover actual damages plus three months' rent or three times actual damages, whichever is greater. Anti-retaliation (TCA 66-28-514) presumes a six-month lookback: any termination, rent hike, or service reduction following a tenant's good-faith code complaint is presumptively retaliatory unless the landlord proves an independent reason. Memphis-specific harassment ordinances are preempted; remedies live in state court.
Lockouts, utility shutoffs, removing tenant property, or terminating leases within six months of a code complaint expose landlords to TURLTA damages, attorney fees, and possible criminal mischief charges.
Memphis, TN
Memphis does not have a just-cause eviction ordinance. Tennessee follows standard landlord-tenant law under the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (...
Memphis, TN
Memphis requires rental property registration through its rental property code enforcement program. Landlords must register rental properties with the city a...
See how Memphis's tenant anti-harassment rules stack up against other locations.
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