Free Tennessee Rental Lease Agreement


Sample Tennessee Rental Lease Agreement

RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT

THIS RESIDENTIAL LEASE (the "Lease") dated this ___ day of ____________________,20___.

BETWEEN:

_______________

(the "Landlord")

- AND-

_______________

(the "Tenant")

(individually the "Party" and collectively the "Parties")

IN CONSIDERATION OF the Landlord leasing certain premises to the Tenant and other valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which consideration is hereby acknowledged, the Parties agree as follows:

    Leased Property

  1. The Landlord agrees to rent to the Tenant the house, municipally described as ______________________, ______________________, Tennessee, ______________________ (the "Property"), for use as residential premises only.
  2. No guests of the Tenants may occupy the Property for longer than one week without the prior written consent of the Landlord.
  3. Term

  4. The term of the Lease is a periodic commencing at 12:00 noon on _____________of _____________, 20___ and continuing on a month-to-month basis until the Landlord or the Tenant terminates the tenancy.
  5. Rent

  6. Subject to the provisions of this Lease, the rent for the Property is $_____________ per week (the "Rent").
  7. The Tenant will pay the Rent weekly, on or before ______________ of each and every week of the term of this Lease to the Landlord at ______________________, ______________________, State of Tennessee, ______________________ or at such other place as the Landlord may later designate by Cash.
  8. Tenant Improvements

  9. The Tenant will obtain written permission from the Landlord before doing any of the following:
    1. applying adhesive materials, or inserting nails or hooks in walls or ceilings other than two small picture hooks per wall;
    2. painting, wallpapering, redecorating or in any way significantly altering the appearance of the Property;
    3. removing or adding walls, or performing any structural alterations;
    4. installing a waterbed(s);
    5. changing the amount of heat or power normally used on the Property as well as installing additional electrical wiring or heating units;
    6. placing or exposing or allowing to be placed or exposed anywhere inside or outside the Property any placard, notice or sign for advertising or any other purpose; or
    7. affixing to or erecting upon or near the Property any radio or TV antenna or tower.
  10. Insurance

  11. The Tenant is hereby advised and understands that the personal property of the Tenant is not insured by the Landlord for either damage or loss, and the Landlord assumes no liability for any such loss.
  12. Attorney Fees

  13. In the event that any action is filed in relation to this Lease, the unsuccessful Party in the action will pay to the successful Party, in addition to all the sums that either Party may be called on to pay, a reasonable sum for the successful Party's attorney fees.
  14. Governing Law

  15. This Lease will be construed in accordance with and exclusively governed by the laws of the State of Tennessee.
  16. Severability

  17. If there is a conflict between any provision of this Lease and the applicable legislation of the State of Tennessee (the "Act"), the Act will prevail and such provisions of the Lease will be amended or deleted as necessary in order to comply with the Act. Further, any provisions that are required by the Act are incorporated into this Lease.
  18. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provisions of this Lease will not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this Lease.  Such other provisions remain in full force and effect.
  19. Amendment of Lease

  20. This Lease may only be amended or modified by a written document executed by the Parties.
  21. Damage to Property

  22. If the Property should be damaged other than by the Tenant's negligence or willful act or that of the Tenant's employee, family, agent, or visitor and the Landlord decides not to rebuild or repair the Property, the Landlord may end this Lease by giving appropriate notice.
  23. Care and Use of Property

  24. The Tenant will promptly notify the Landlord of any damage, or of any situation that may significantly interfere with the normal use of the Property or to any furnishings supplied by the Landlord.
  25. The Tenant will not engage in any illegal trade or activity on or about the Property.
  26. The Parties will comply with standards of health, sanitation, fire, housing and safety as required by law.
  27. The Parties will use reasonable efforts to maintain the Property in such a condition as to prevent the accumulation of moisture and the growth of mold. The Tenant will promptly notify the Landlord in writing of any moisture accumulation that occurs or of any visible evidence of mold discovered by the Tenant. The Landlord will promptly respond to any such written notices from the Tenant.
  28. If the Tenant is absent from the Property and the Property is unoccupied for a period of 4 consecutive days or longer, the Tenant will arrange for regular inspection by a competent person. The Landlord will be notified in advance as to the name, address and phone number of the person doing the inspections.
  29. At the expiration of the term of this Lease, the Tenant will quit and surrender the Property in as good a state and condition as they were at the commencement of this Lease, reasonable use and wear and tear excepted.
  30. Rules and Regulations

  31. The Tenant will obey all rules and regulations of the Landlord regarding the Property.
  32. Address for Notice

  33. For any matter relating to this tenancy, the Tenant may be contacted at the Property or through the phone number below. After this tenancy has been terminated, the contact information of the Tenant is:
    1. Name: _______________
    2. Phone: ______________________
  34. For any matter relating to this tenancy, whether during or after this tenancy has been terminated, the Landlord's address for notice is:
    1. Name: _______________
    2. Address: ______________________, ______________________, State of Tennessee, ______________________

      The contact information for the Landlord is:

    3. Phone: ______________________
  35. General Provisions

  36. All monetary amounts stated or referred to in this Lease are based in the United States dollar.
  37. Any waiver by the Landlord of any failure by the Tenant to perform or observe the provisions of this Lease will not operate as a waiver of the Landlord's rights under this Lease in respect of any subsequent defaults, breaches or non-performance and will not defeat or affect in any way the Landlord's rights in respect of any subsequent default or breach.
  38. This Lease will extend to and be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the respective heirs, executors, administrators, successors and assigns, as the case may be, of each Party. All covenants are to be construed as conditions of this Lease.
  39. All sums payable by the Tenant to the Landlord pursuant to any provision of this Lease will be deemed to be additional rent and will be recovered by the Landlord as rental arrears.
  40. Where there is more than one Tenant executing this Lease, all Tenants are jointly and severally liable for each other's acts, omissions and liabilities pursuant to this Lease.
  41. Locks may not be added or changed without the prior written agreement of both Parties, or unless the changes are made in compliance with the Act.
  42. The Tenant will be charged an additional amount of $25.00 for each N.S.F. check or checks returned by the Tenant's financial institution.
  43. Headings are inserted for the convenience of the Parties only and are not to be considered when interpreting this Lease. Words in the singular mean and include the plural and vice versa. Words in the masculine mean and include the feminine and vice versa.
  44. This Lease may be executed in counterparts. Facsimile signatures are binding and are considered to be original signatures.
  45. This Lease constitutes the entire agreement between the Parties.
  46. During the last 30 days of this Lease, the Landlord or the Landlord's agents will have the privilege of displaying the usual 'For Sale' or 'For Rent' or 'Vacancy' signs on the Property.
  47. Time is of the essence in this Lease.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF _______________ and _______________ have duly affixed their signatures on this ___ day of ____________________,20___.

_________________________________
Landlord: _______________

  _________________________________
Tenant: _______________

The Tenant acknowledges receiving a duplicate copy of this Lease signed by the Tenant and the Landlord on the _____ day of ______________________, 20____.

_________________________________
Tenant: _______________

   

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure

Property: ______________________, ______________________, Tennessee, ______________________
Landlord: _______________
Tenant: _______________

Landlord's Disclosure

The Landlord CERTIFIES THAT:

  1. The Landlord has NO knowledge of any lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in or about the Property.
  2. The Landlord has NO records or reports relating to lead-based paint and/or lead-based paint hazards in or about the Property.
Date: ___ day of ____________________,20___

 Landlord: _______________

per: _________________________________


Tenant's Disclosure

The Tenant ACKNOWLEDGES receipt of:

  1. the information contained in the above Landlord's Disclosure including the above-mentioned reports and records; and
  2. the pamphlet Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home (EPA-747-K-99-001) or an equivalent pamphlet that has been approved for use in the state by the Environmental Protection Agency.
Date: ___ day of ____________________,20___

 Tenant: _______________

per: _________________________________

The pamphlet Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home can be ordered in hard copy or can be printed from the website http://www2.epa.gov/lead/protect-your-family-lead-your-home.


Asbestos Disclosure

Property: ______________________, ______________________, Tennessee, ______________________
Landlord: _______________
Tenant: _______________

Landlord's Disclosure

The Landlord CERTIFIES THAT:

  1. The Landlord has investigated and there is no asbestos in or about the Property.
  2. The Landlord has NO records or reports with respect to asbestos in or about the Property.
Date: ___ day of ____________________,20___

 Landlord: _______________

per: _________________________________


Tenant's Disclosure

The Tenant ACKNOWLEDGES receipt of the information contained in the above Landlord's Disclosure including any reports and records.

Date: ___ day of ____________________,20___

Tenant: _______________

per: _________________________________

Tennessee Rental Lease Agreement

What do you know about the rental lease agreement in Tennessee?

  • The Official Rules and Regulations

    • The 2013 Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act - Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28

    • Landlord and Tenant Act – Consumer Information (pdf)

Security Deposit

The state of Tennessee has no statutes for the security deposit maximum, non-refundable deposits, and the security deposit interests.

On the other hand, the state has set the deadlines for returning the security deposit to 30 days. Also, landlords need to set up separate security deposit bank accounts. The security deposit has to be in a bank or a financial institution that is subject to the federal and state regulations.

The other requirement set by the state is for landlords to give their advance notice of withholding rent.

On matters relating to pets and any additional fees, the state of Tennessee has no statutes to guide on the matters. It has also not set statutes to guide what happens after receipt of deposits, noncompliance, or keeping of records for the deposit withholdings.

The landlord needs to prepare a move-out checklist or an itemized list of charges and damages. And, joint move-out inspections may be required if requested by the tenant.

Rent, Lease, and Fees

According to the rental laws in the state and the rental lease agreement Tennessee, the rent is due at the beginning of each month, and the rent can be prorated daily unless there is a different agreement.

No rent increase notices statutes are set by the state of Tennessee.

A rent grace period of 5 days is given in the lease agreement from the day that the rent is due, except for the legal holidays and Sundays.

Tennessee rental lease agreements allow landlords to charge late fees for any past rent that is due after the fifth day when the rent is due the late fees applied cannot exceed 10 percent of the past rent due.

However, the state doesn’t have any statutes to govern what happens to prepaid rent.

A returned check fee of $30 can be charged,

The tenant can withhold rent if the landlord fails to provide a habitable dwelling and environment. But, the tenant should file a complaint with a building inspector or the county department of health so that if the landlord fails to make the repairs within 30 days, the tenant can pay the rent to the county clerk.

The tenant can also withhold rent if the landlord fails to provide essential services like water and heat.

The tenant could also repair and deduct rent

In the event of a case against a tenant, the landlord can recover the court and attorney fees.

Also, the legal agreement stipulates that the landlord should make a reasonable attempt to mitigate any damages, which will include any attempts to re-rent.

Notices and Entry

The state has set no statute to govern giving of notice to terminate a tenancy in a fixed-end date lease. However, the note may not be necessary because the tenancy will expire.

Termination of monthly leases requires 30-day notices while the termination of weekly leases require 10-day written notices.

The landlord has to give 14 days’ notice to terminate tenancy for noncompliance. This duration (14 days also applies to the termination of a lease for nonpayment.

If a tenant violates the lease agreement, they get a 30-day written notice. But, for termination of tenancy because of the tenant’s involvement in a drug-related criminal activity or even violent behavior, the landlord will have to issue a 3-day written notice. Termination of a lease because of prostitution violation or substance use is immediate.

While the state of Tennessee doesn’t have statutes for whether notices are required or not, it is recommended to give 24-hour notice before entry.

Entry is allowed, with notice for non-emergency repairs and maintenance works.

Entry is allowed for showings only within the final thirty days of the termination of the rental lease agreement in Tennessee.

In the event of an emergency, entry is allowed without notice.

No statutes govern notices for time or date of move-out inspections or pesticide use. Lockouts and utility shutoffs are not allowed.

A landlord may tow a dead car or a car with a flat tire, missing fenders, or broken glass, and noncompliance

It also guides on the abandonment of premises and personal property.

Disclosures

This has details on the landlord duties and maintenance, tenant’s duties, name and addresses, written lease, fair housing, notification by email, house rules and regulations, lead disclosures, and retaliation.

Court-related Matters

The Tennessee Small Claims Court has limits set at $25,000, and the courts handle eviction cases.

The statute of limitations sets a limit of 6 and 3 years for rental and damage to real property respectively.

Business Licenses

Landlords of one or more dwelling units in a county whose population exceeds 500,000 people have to disclose their personal details; including leases, addresses, subleases, or right to ownership.

Now that you understand your rights and obligations, as well as the state laws, how about filling the above form and get a free online rental lease agreement today?

Sample

TN Rental Lease Agreement

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