State law file
Security deposit law in Tennessee
Based on Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301 · Verified 2026-09-28
Tennessee sets no statewide deadline for returning a deposit (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301).
Tennessee sets no statewide deadline for returning a deposit (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301). Landlords must also provide an itemized statement of deductions. Compare the security deposit return deadlines in every state.
Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301. Verified 2026-09-28.
Your rights under Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301
In Tennessee, a landlord must return a tenant's full security deposit and explain every deduction in writing. The exact number of days Tennessee allows, and the penalty for missing that window, is still being checked against Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301.
Tennessee sets no statewide deadline for returning your deposit. Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301 never states a day count the landlord must return it by. Subsection (f) instead runs in the landlord's favor: if you leave owing no rent and a refund is due, the landlord mails notice of the amount to your last known address, and if the landlord hasn't received a response from you within sixty days of sending it, the landlord may keep the deposit. Answer any refund notice right away, in writing so you have proof, and keep your forwarding address current with the landlord. The whole chapter also applies only in counties with a population over 75,000 under the 2010 census: Anderson, Blount, Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, Madison, Maury, Montgomery, Rutherford, Sevier, Shelby, Sullivan, Sumner, Washington, Williamson and Wilson. Outside those counties, this statute does not govern your deposit at all. The landlord must also provide a written, itemized statement of any deductions. Failure to provide this statement is independently actionable.
Tennessee sets no statewide deadline for returning a deposit (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301).
What Tennessee landlords can — and can't — deduct
Landlords in Tennessee may deduct for unpaid rent or documented damage, but cannot charge tenants for normal wear and tear like faded paint or minor scuffs. Every deduction must be itemized in writing. Pre-existing damage not noted at move-in cannot be charged either.
If your landlord charged you for anything in the right-hand column, you have grounds to dispute it under Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301. The normal wear and tear guide has more examples.
Small claims court in Tennessee
In Tennessee, a tenant can sue for a wrongfully withheld deposit in small claims court. In Tennessee, small claims court hears claims up to $25,000. The filing fee is set by the court — confirm it with the clerk. Small claims filings generally do not require hiring a lawyer to appear.
Tennessee's small claims limit is $25,000, and filing a case there costs about Set by the court — confirm with the clerk.
If your landlord ignores your demand letter, small claims court is designed for exactly this kind of dispute. No lawyer is required — most tenants represent themselves. File in the county where the rental property is located. Bring your lease, move-out checklist, any written communications, and photos of the unit. The entire process typically takes 30–90 days from filing to judgment.
Frequently asked questions
How long does my landlord have to return my deposit in Tennessee?
Tennessee sets no statewide deadline for returning a deposit (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301). They must also provide an itemized statement of any deductions.
What happens if my Tennessee landlord doesn't return my deposit on time?
Tennessee sets no statewide deadline for returning a deposit (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301). You can send a formal demand letter and, if ignored, file in General Sessions Court without an attorney.
Can my landlord deduct for normal wear and tear in Tennessee?
No. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301, normal wear and tear — including minor scuffs, small nail holes, and carpet worn from normal use — cannot be deducted from your security deposit in Tennessee. Only damage beyond normal wear and tear is a valid deduction.
How do I file a small claims case for my security deposit in Tennessee?
File in General Sessions Court in the county where the rental property is located. Filing costs about Set by the court — confirm with the clerk, and Tennessee's small claims limit is $25,000. No lawyer is required. Bring your lease, move-out documentation, and any written communications with your landlord.
My landlord isn't responding to calls or texts — now what?
Put it in writing. A demand letter citing Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301 names the deadline your landlord was under and the penalty the statute allows, and gives them a specific date to respond by. Sent by certified mail, it also creates a record of the date it went out and the address it reached — the kind of documentation General Sessions Court expects if the dispute goes that far.
What your letter looks like
A Tennessee demand letter opens like this
Every letter cites Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301 and calculates the amounts from your own numbers. This sample uses a $1,750 deposit with $300 returned.
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Researching a specific landlord? Check the DepositHawk landlord ratings database — search by name or property management company to see deposit return history.
Ready to mail your letter? Send it by certified mail so you have proof of the date it went out and the date it arrived. Already wrote your own? Run it through the free letter checker before you send it. Still building your evidence file? The move-out photo checklist covers exactly what to document before you hand back the keys. If your landlord ignores the letter, the Tennessee small claims guide walks through filing without a lawyer. For the whole process in one place, read what to do when a landlord won't return your deposit. A chatbot can draft a letter like this one, but it can't mail it by certified mail or search your landlord's eviction-filing history — DepositHawk does both.
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DepositHawk is not a law firm and does not provide legal advice. This information is based on Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301 as of 2026. Laws change. Verify current statutes at your state legislature's website. Consult a licensed attorney for advice specific to your situation.
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