Housing

HB 452 changes Tennessee's eviction process for cases where a tenant hasn't paid rent. It requires that trials must be held within 14 days of the landlord filing the case and limits hearings to only rent-related issues, such as lease terms and payment history. After a court rules in the landlord's favor, the tenant must move out within seven days of receiving the court order, and the landlord can request immediate sheriff removal if the tenant doesn't comply. This bill affects tenants and landlords facing nonpayment evictions and takes effect on July 1, 2025.

HB 323 would change the standard of proof required for homeowners to challenge foreclosure sale prices in Tennessee. Currently, debtors only need to show the sale price was below fair market value by a "preponderance of the evidence" (more likely than not). The bill would raise this standard to "clear and convincing evidence," making it harder for homeowners to rebut the legal presumption that foreclosure sale prices equal fair market value. This change would take effect July 1, 2025, and directly affects homeowners seeking to contest foreclosure sales.

HB 396 would change Tennessee's housing law by shortening the required deed restriction period for affordable multi-family housing built under voluntary incentive programs. Instead of requiring affordability "in perpetuity," the bill would limit these restrictions to at least 30 years. This directly affects developers and property owners participating in the state's attainable housing incentive program. The bill failed in committee on February 19, 2025, and did not advance further. (Amends TCA Title 13, Chapter 3, Section 13-3-603(f).)