Housing (Tenant Rights)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 24, 2026

SB 961: Housing - As introduced, enacts the "Affordable Housing and Tenant Protection Act"; allows local governments to adopt ordinances and resolutions to control rent for private residential rental units; creates the increased housing program and increased housing fund; authorizes the Tennessee housing development agency to make grants from the fund to eligible developers and first-time homebuyers to assist in gap financing and down payment assistance. - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 53; Title 9; Title 12; Title 13; Title 66 and Title 67.

SB 961, the "Affordable Housing and Tenant Protection Act," allows Tennessee local governments to adopt rent control ordinances for private residential properties after conducting housing supply assessments and establishing local rent agencies. It creates the "Increased Housing Program" administered by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), which provides gap financing to developers building affordable housing and down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers for owner-occupied homes. The program prioritizes communities affected by recent federally declared disasters and requires annual reporting on program outcomes. This bill directly affects renters, landlords, and developers in localities that adopt rent control, while expanding state-level support for affordable housing construction and homebuying.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates rent control for tenants, funds affordable housing via THDA grants, and provides down payment assistance - directly advancing housing access and protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 298: Housing - As introduced, enacts the "Homes not Hedge Funds Act"; prohibits certain business entities from purchasing more than 100 single-family homes in certain counties in this state for purposes of renting the purchased properties; establishes a state and private cause of action and establishes damages for violations. - Amends TCA Title 13; Title 47 and Title 66.

HB 298, the "Homes not Hedge Funds Act," prohibits business entities from purchasing more than 100 single-family homes in Tennessee counties with populations exceeding 150,000 (based on 2020 census data) for rental purposes. It defines "single-family home" as detached, semi-detached, or townhomes with no shared utilities, and applies to corporations, LLCs, or investment groups (excluding government entities). The bill allows the state attorney general or affected individuals to sue violators for up to $100 per day per home, plus damages, attorney fees, or punitive penalties. It takes effect for new rental contracts signed after enactment, aiming to limit large-scale rental acquisitions in densely populated areas.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits large investors from purchasing excessive single-family homes in high-population counties, limiting market dominance and protecting tenant affordability in rental housing markets.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 488: Local Government, General - As introduced, removes abandonment as an option for a property owner after a municipality determines the structure located on the property is unfit for human occupation or use; authorizes all municipalities to adopt ordinances to inspect residential dwelling units that are deteriorated. - Amends TCA Title 13, Chapter 21.

SB 488 removes the option for property owners to abandon properties when a municipality declares a structure unsafe for human occupation. It authorizes all Tennessee municipalities to create their own ordinances requiring inspections of deteriorated residential properties. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated sections related to building safety, eliminating the previous "abandonment" pathway and giving local governments clearer authority to enforce housing standards. This directly affects homeowners in Tennessee and strengthens municipal oversight of unsafe residential buildings.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves property abandonment loophole for unsafe structures, mandates municipal inspections of deteriorated housing, and strengthens enforcement of building safety standards to protect tenants and maintain housing quality.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Landlords Tenant Rights Tags Local Government

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 12, 2025

HB 757: Landlord and Tenant - As introduced, increases, from 30 to 45, the number of days a tenant or household member and a landlord have to agree upon a date to terminate a residential rental or lease agreement, provided the tenant supplies written notice and documentation to the landlord that the tenant is a domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking victim. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 13; Title 20; Title 21; Title 25; Title 26; Title 28; Title 29; Title 40; Title 62; Title 66; and Title 68.

HB 757 extends the notice period for tenants fleeing domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking from 30 to 45 days to terminate a rental agreement. It requires tenants to provide written notice and documentation of their victim status to landlords to trigger this longer window. The bill directly affects tenants in these situations and their landlords by giving victims more time to safely vacate properties without immediate eviction risk. This change updates Tennessee's residential rental laws (affecting multiple code sections) to prioritize safety for vulnerable tenants.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends tenant protections for crime victims (domestic abuse/stalking), enabling safer exits from abusive situations without immediate eviction risk, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends tenant notice period for domestic abuse victims, strengthening protections against immediate eviction per housing tenant rights indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime Landlords Tenant Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 806: Remedies and Special Proceedings - As introduced, requires that the trial for an unlawful detainer action be held no later than 14 days from the date the plaintiff filed the unlawful detainer motion; limits the scope of a hearing for an unlawful detainer motion based on nonpayment of rent to facts and issues related to nonpayment of rent; makes other changes related to judicial proceedings for unlawful detainer. - Amends TCA Title 29 and Title 66.

SB 806 changes Tennessee eviction procedures for cases based on nonpayment of rent. It requires eviction trials to occur within 14 days of filing (down from a previous minimum of 6 days), limits court hearings to only rent-related issues like lease terms and payment history, and gives tenants 7 days to move after a judgment. This directly affects tenants facing eviction and landlords filing nonpayment lawsuits. The bill aims to streamline the process while narrowing court focus to rent disputes.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingLimits eviction hearings to rent issues only and grants tenants 7 days to move after judgment, strengthening tenant protections in housing disputes.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Renters Tenant Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 955: Housing - As introduced, enacts the "Affordable Housing and Tenant Protection Act"; allows local governments to adopt ordinances and resolutions to control rent for private residential rental units; creates the increased housing program and increased housing fund; authorizes the Tennessee housing development agency to make grants from the fund to eligible developers and first-time homebuyers to assist in gap financing and down payment assistance. - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 53; Title 9; Title 12; Title 13; Title 66 and Title 67.

HB 955, the "Affordable Housing and Tenant Protection Act," allows Tennessee local governments to adopt rent control ordinances (requiring a two-thirds legislative vote) to set maximum rents and fees for private residential properties, with specific requirements for local rent agencies and appeal processes. It creates the Increased Housing Program, administered by the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), which provides gap financing to developers building affordable housing and down payment assistance to first-time homebuyers for primary residences. The program prioritizes housing developments in areas affected by recent federal disasters and excludes participants from certain tax credits, with THDA required to report annually on program outcomes starting in 2026. This bill directly affects local governments, landlords, renters, developers, and first-time homebuyers by introducing new rent regulation mechanisms and state-funded housing support.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates Increased Housing Fund for affordable housing grants and down payment assistance, advancing government spending on housing programs.90% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingCreates rent control for tenant protection and establishes funding programs for affordable housing development and down payment assistance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Renters Tenant Rights

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passed both · Tennessee · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 242: Housing - As introduced, enacts the "Homes not Hedge Funds Act"; prohibits certain business entities from purchasing more than 100 single-family homes in certain counties in this state for purposes of renting the purchased properties; establishes a state and private cause of action and establishes damages for violations. - Amends TCA Title 13; Title 47 and Title 66.

SB 242, the "Homes not Hedge Funds Act," prohibits business entities (including hedge funds and large property companies) from purchasing more than 100 single-family homes in qualifying Tennessee counties (those with over 150,000 residents per the 2020 census) for rental purposes. The bill creates a legal cause of action for the state attorney general or affected individuals to sue violators, with penalties up to $100 per day per home and potential damages. It directly affects large-scale property investors operating in high-population counties, aiming to preserve homeownership opportunities by limiting bulk rentals. The law does not apply to homes purchased for personal residence or to governmental entities.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits large entities from buying >100 homes for rent in qualifying counties, protecting tenants and preventing market monopolization that drives up costs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Homeownership Tenant Rights

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introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 1297: Landlord and Tenant - As introduced, changes, from three days to three business days from the date written notice is received by a tenant, the date on which a landlord may terminate a rental agreement if the tenant or another person on the premises with the tenant's consent willfully or intentionally commits a violent act; behaves in a manner which constitutes or threatens to be a real and present danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the life or property of other tenants or persons on the premises; creates a hazardous or unsanitary condition on the property that affects the health, safety, or welfare or the life or property of other tenants or persons on the premises; or refuses to vacate the premises after entering the premises as an unauthorized subtenant or other unauthorized occupant. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 13; Title 56; Title 62; Title 66; Title 67 and Title 68.

HB 1297 changes Tennessee's landlord-tenant law by extending the notice period for lease termination from **three calendar days to three business days** when a tenant or occupant commits certain violations. It applies to situations involving violent acts, immediate threats to health/safety, hazardous conditions, or unauthorized occupancy. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (including Title 66) to implement this change, giving landlords a more realistic timeframe to address violations without counting weekends or holidays. This directly affects landlords and tenants in Tennessee rental properties where lease violations occur.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill extends notice period from calendar to business days for lease termination due to safety violations, providing tenants more time to respond and aligning with tenant protection principles.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 18, 2025

SB 967: Landlord and Tenant - As introduced, increases, from 30 to 45, the number of days a tenant or household member and a landlord have to agree upon a date to terminate a residential rental or lease agreement, provided the tenant supplies written notice and documentation to the landlord that the tenant is a domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking victim. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 13; Title 20; Title 21; Title 25; Title 26; Title 28; Title 29; Title 40; Title 62; Title 66; and Title 68.

SB 967 increases the time landlords and tenants have to agree on ending a rental lease from 30 to 45 days when a tenant or household member is a victim of domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking. To qualify, tenants must provide the landlord with written notice and documentation of their victim status. This change applies to all residential rental agreements entered into, amended, or renewed after the law takes effect. It directly affects tenants who are victims of these crimes and their landlords in Tennessee by extending the negotiation period for lease termination.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingIncreases tenant protection for abuse victims by extending lease termination notice period from 30 to 45 days with required documentation, strengthening tenant safety rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 6, 2026

HB 469: Landlord and Tenant - As enacted, generally restricts a landlord from prohibiting a residential tenant from lawfully possessing, carrying, transporting, or storing a firearm, any part of a firearm, or firearm ammunition in the tenant's residential property; a vehicle located in a parking area provided for tenants or tenants' guests; or other locations controlled by the landlord necessary to enter or exit any such location in leases entered into, amended, extended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027. - Amends TCA Title 66.

HB 469 prohibits landlords in Tennessee from banning tenants from lawfully possessing, carrying, or storing firearms, firearm parts, or ammunition in their rented homes, apartments, businesses, or vehicles parked on landlord-provided property. It directly affects all residential and commercial tenants and landlords statewide, requiring existing leases with firearm restrictions to be amended by July 1, 2026. The bill creates a legal remedy allowing tenants to sue landlords for damages, punitive penalties, and attorney fees if their lease violates this rule. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025, with a one-year grace period for adjusting current leases.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill strengthens tenant rights by prohibiting landlord firearm restrictions and creating legal remedies, directly addressing tenant protections under housing policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Landlords Tenant Rights

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