Short answer
URLTA counties: unpaid rent needs a written notice giving the tenant 14 days to pay or move, unless the lease waives notice
Notice: At least 14 days after a written notice for unpaid rent (the tenant can cure by paying within the 14 days), unless the written lease waives notice
For unpaid rent, the landlord generally must give the tenant written notice with at least 14 days to pay or move before going to court; the tenant can stay by paying what is owed within the 14 days. A written lease can waive this notice, in which case the landlord may file a detainer warrant directly. A second breach within 6 months needs only a 7-day notice.
"What if you didn’t pay your rent? Most of the time the landlord must give you at least 14 days to move. He must tell you this in writing."
tn.gov
"But, if you have a lease, it may say he can go straight to court."
tn.gov
"Failed in s/c Business and Utilities Subcommittee of Commerce Committee"
wapp.capitol.tn.gov
Source: tn.gov · Last verified 2026-10-24 · Confidence: medium · Full rule details
URLTA counties: unpaid rent needs a written notice giving the tenant 14 days to pay or move, unless the lease waives notice Verified
Deadline: At least 14 days after a written notice for unpaid rent (the tenant can cure by paying within the 14 days), unless the written lease waives notice
For unpaid rent, the landlord generally must give the tenant written notice with at least 14 days to pay or move before going to court; the tenant can stay by paying what is owed within the 14 days. A written lease can waive this notice, in which case the landlord may file a detainer warrant directly. A second breach within 6 months needs only a 7-day notice.
Applies to: any number of units · Layer: Tennessee · Topic: Non-renewal and termination notice
Who it covers: Applies in the counties where the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies; the booklet lists Anderson, Blount, Bradley, Davidson (Nashville), Hamilton, Knox, Madison, Maury, Montgomery, Rutherford, Sevier, Shelby (Memphis), Sullivan, Sumner, Washington, Williamson and Wilson counties. Other counties follow different statutes.
"What if you didn’t pay your rent? Most of the time the landlord must give you at least 14 days to move. He must tell you this in writing."
tn.gov
"But, if you have a lease, it may say he can go straight to court."
tn.gov
"Failed in s/c Business and Utilities Subcommittee of Commerce Committee"
wapp.capitol.tn.gov
Notes: Tenn. Code Ann. 66-28-505 as summarized by the booklet. A 2025 bill to cut the period from 14 to 7 days (HB 1345 / SB 1088) failed in a House subcommittee on March 12, 2025 (capitol.tn.gov). Tennessee does not publish a free official text of the Tennessee Code, so this rule is sourced from the renters' rights booklet of the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands, hosted by the Tennessee Department of Health (tn.gov; revised 7/15). Medium confidence: the booklet is a plain-language summary and may lag later amendments; confirm the current Tenn. Code Ann. text.
Last verified 2026-10-24 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction