Free Tennessee Residential Lease Agreement

Start a comprehensive and legally binding Tennessee lease agreement to rent real estate you own to one or more tenants. Get guidance on each step and expert tips with the help of our contract maker.

Templates created by legal professionals

Customize your documents quickly & easily

24/7 free phone & email customer support

Fill forms in a few steps

Save, print, & download

Done in 5 minutes

Table of Contents:

What is a Tennessee Residential Lease Agreement
Types of Tennessee Lease Agreements
Disclosures for Tennessee Lease Agreements
Related Documents
Tennessee Residential Lease Agreement Sample
FAQs About Tennessee Lease Agreement

What is a Tennessee Residential Lease Agreement

A lease agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a tenant. This is written to conform to state laws where the property is located. In Tennessee these allow both parties to comply with a series of set terms for a specified number of months or years.

Rental contracts and lease agreements have a lot of similarities as they both set out payment plans and the terms of use for a house or apartment. However, the big difference is the duration that they cover. Rental agreements usually only cover short-term tenancies of a few months at a time or month-to-month contracts.

A lease agreement should contain the following details:

How long the tenant may legally reside in the property
How much rent should be paid
Information about the security deposits necessary
When rental installments are due
Any additional costs that must be serviced by the tenant
The rules regarding the proper use of the property
Situations that constitute lease violation eviction procedures

Types of Tennessee Lease Agreements

There are many types of TN lease agreement forms that can be used to manage and legally bind many different types of rental situations. They allow landlords to rent out various types of property they might have and for tenants to find the best kind of tenancy for their needs.

The most common types of lease agreements in Tennessee include:

Standard residential lease agreements: Under a standard lease agreement both the landlord and tenant commit to a fixed set of terms that last for a series of months or years.
Lease-to-own lease agreements: Lease agreements with lease-to-own options allow the possibility of the tenant purchasing the property during the term.
Month-to-month rental agreements: Month-to-month lease agreements will often have similar basic terms to standard residential lease contracts. However, they differ as they can be renewed or ended on a month-by-month basis. Their terms may also be flexibly altered each month.
Commercial lease agreements: Commercial leases are provided by landlords of retail property to tenants that intend to use the real estate to run a business.
Room rental agreements: In rental properties with shared living areas a room rental agreement can be used to rent a singular bedroom.
Farm lease agreements: Lease agreements for a piece of land or structure that is used for certain agricultural purposes such as the growing of crops.
Sublease Agreement: A Tennessee sublease agreement allows tenants to reassign or ‘sublease’ the property to another individual. This requires the property landlord’s permission and must be specifically allowed in the original lease.

Disclosures for Tennessee Lease Agreements

Tennessee lease agreements must contain a few disclosures and addendums when they are completed and signed. This is to properly inform the tenant of any health risks or potential issues with the property or details about how the property is managed that they must be aware of.

These essential addendums include the following:

Lead paint disclosure: If the rental unit is in a building constructed before 1978, the landlord or their agent must disclose whether lead paint can be found on the property and must provide safety information for any located on the premises.
Agent/owner identification: The lease agreement must include a section or an addendum that discloses the contact information of the landlord or a chosen agent who will act on their behalf.
Showings disclosure: In the case that the landlord wants to show the property to prospective tenants before the lease is over, this must be specified within the agreement.

Tennessee Lease Agreement Laws

A Tennessee lease agreement must be written and signed within the laws of Tennessee state, otherwise, it will be legally contestable and can be declared invalid and block either party from recourse if a violation is committed. These will police how you start and end the contract and control what procedures you can reasonably ask a tenant to follow.

The most important laws to consider when you are renting a property in Tennessee include:

Security deposits: There is no limit to how much TN landlords may charge as a security deposit. This must be returned to the tenant within 30 days of vacating the property and returning the keys, as specified by Tennessee law. Landlords must also give advance notice of any deductions.
Landlord’s right to enter: Landlords can enter the rental property without having to give any prior notice in both emergency and non-emergency situations. However, most landlords give a reasonable amount of notice before entering an inhabited unit.
Further contact details: If the property is managed by anyone other than the landlord, tenants must be provided with their contact details so communications to the landlord can be properly handled.

Tennessee Residential Lease Agreement Sample

Before beginning the process of creating a residential lease agreement in Tennessee it is sensible to review an example document first. Use our TN lease agreement sample below to find out more about the structure and contents of a fully-fledged rental contract.

PDF WORD

FAQs About Tennessee Lease Agreement

It is important to carefully prepare a TN lease agreement to suit the needs of the landlord and tenant exactly. To help demystify the process a little simply review our FAQs below to learn more about the specificities of rental contracts in Tennessee.

Lease agreement or rental agreement?

There is a key difference between a Tennessee lease agreement and a Tennessee rental agreement, which is the length of duration that they each cover.

Lease agreements are normally longer-term arrangements that can last several months or even years, in which their terms remain fixed. Rental agreements on the other hand are shorter-term in nature but are more flexible and may be changed on a weekly or monthly basis.

What are the advantages of a written lease?

It’s important to have a written TN lease agreement in operation whether you are a landlord or a tenant. There are many advantages to having a formal contract for a rental property such as the right to recourse if the terms are violated and the protection of important legal rights for rental property owners and residents.

When can a landlord change the lease?

Usually, a Tennessee lease agreement cannot be changed once it is signed. Its terms will remain fixed until it reaches its agreed expiration date or it is terminated due to a violation by either party.

With a rental agreement or month-by-month tenancy, however, the terms of the agreement can potentially be changed each rental period. This means the landlord can amend or end the terms of the contract every 30 days if they wish.

You are only a few steps away from your own Tennessee Lease Agreement !

Download our professional examples

PDF WORD

Preview of your Tennessee Residential Lease Agreement

TENNESSEE
RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT

This Lease Agreement (hereinafter, the "Lease Agreement") is dated as of _________ (hereinafter, the "Effective Date") and is entered into by and between _________ (hereinafter, the "Landlord") and the following residents:

_________
(hereinafter, the "Tenant(s)").

The Landlord and the Tenant(s) agree as follows:

1. PROPERTY

(a) The Landlord is the owner of certain real property and improvements described as a house located at _________, _________, Tennessee, _________ (hereinafter, the "Property").

(b) The Landlord rents to the Tenant(s) and the Tenant(s) rents from the Landlord the Property according to the terms and conditions described in this Lease Agreement.

(c) Unless otherwise indicated in the Lease Agreement, no other portion of the building (hereinafter, the "Building") is included in the Lease.

(d) Unless otherwise indicated in the Lease Agreement, the Property is for the sole use as a personal residence by the person(s) named above only.

2. OCCUPANTS

(a) During the term of this Lease Agreement, the only individuals permitted to reside on the Property are the following:

_________

(b) The Tenant(s) may not allow any guest to stay on the Property longer than _________ consecutive day(s) or _________ day(s) in a calendar year. The Tenant(s)'s guests shall not be considered original occupants of the Property under any circumstances.

(c) The amount of time the Tenant(s)'s guests may stay on the Property may never be longer than the time permitted by any owners' association rule or restrictive covenant or _________ consecutive day(s) or _________ day(s) in a calendar year, without the Landlord's written permission, whichever is less.

3. TERM

The term of this Lease Agreement begins on _________ (hereinafter, the "Commencement Date") and will terminate on _________ (hereinafter, the "Termination Date"). Upon the Termination Date, the Tenant(s) shall be required to vacate the Property.

4. MANAGEMENT

The Tenant(s) is hereby notified that the Owner or Landlord _________ is the Property Manager in charge of repairs or maintenance of the Property.

If the Tenant(s) has any complaint regarding any issue about the Property, _________ shall be contacted by one of the following methods:

Address: _________
Telephone: _________
Email: _________

5. RENT

The Tenant(s) shall pay the Landlord monthly rent in the amount of $_________ (hereinafter, the "Rent") for each full month during this lease. The full month's rent is due and payable not later than the 1st of each month lease period.

Place of Payment:

The Tenant(s) shall remit all Rent payment amounts owed to the Landlord under this Lease Agreement to the following address:

_________

The Landlord may later change the person and place to which the Tenant(s) must remit the rental amounts due under this Lease Agreement.

Method of Payment:

The Tenant(s) shall pay all rent by selecting any of the following forms of payment (select one or more):

6. UTILITIES AND SERVICES

The Tenant(s) shall pay for all utilities, services, and charges provided to the Property, including any and all deposits required.

Notwithstanding the aforementioned, the Landlord agrees to be responsible for the following utilities and services in connection with the Property:

7. PETS / STRAYS

No animal or pet shall be kept, permanently or temporarily, on or about the Property, even temporarily or with a visiting guest. As provided by law, a Service Animal(s) is not considered a pet, and every individual with a disability shall have a right to have a Service Animal(s) on the Property.

Any animal discovered on or around the Property will be considered a stray. Strays shall not be kept or fed in or about the Property. All strays will be reported to the proper authorities and removed at the Tenant(s)'s expense.

8. SMOKING

Smoking is not allowed in or on any area of the Property, including individual units and common areas, both indoors and outdoors. This policy applies to all owners, tenants, or guests.

If the Tenant(s) contravenes this provision by smoking tobacco or allowing guests to smoke in any place on the property, then such Tenant(s) shall be held liable for any damages caused to the Property. Moreover, the violation of this provision shall be considered a just cause for the eviction of the Tenant(s) by the Landlord.

9. MAINTENANCE

The Landlord may require in writing that the Tenant(s) pay all future Rent payments by cash, money order, cashier's check, or any other type of certified fund.

The parties agree that three (3) returned checks in any twelve (12) month period constitutes a frequent return of checks due to insufficient funds and shall be considered a just cause for eviction.

Additionally, during the Term of this Lease Agreement and any renewal thereof, Tenant(s) shall:

(1) Keep the Property clean and safe, use all electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning facilities and appliances in a reasonable manner.

(2) Repair any damage arising from the act or negligence of Tenant, Occupants, or guests, agents, visitors, and invitees, at tenant's expense.

(3) Surrender the Property in as good order and condition as when received, reasonable wear and tear excepted, upon the termination of this Lease Agreement.

(4) Immediately notify the Landlord, in writing, of any problem, malfunction or damage; otherwise, the Tenant(s) will be liable for the costs of any such damage, which might have been avoided had the Tenant promptly notified the Landlord of the defect.

10. ALTERATIONS AND IMPROVEMENTS

The Tenant(s) shall not make any alterations, additions, redecorations, or any sort of improvements on the leased Property without the Landlord's prior written consent. All additions, alterations, fixtures, or improvements made by the Tenant(s), except movable household furniture, shall become the Landlord's property and remain on the Property as part of the Property and shall be surrendered with the leased premises at the Termination of this Lease Agreement.

11. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

The Tenant(s) shall not keep or have on the Property any article or item of a dangerous, flammable, or explosive material on the Property that might unreasonably increase the danger of fire or explosion on the Property or that might be considered hazardous or extra hazardous by any responsible insurance company.

12. LANDLORD ACCESS TO PROPERTY

The Landlord and the Landlord's agents shall have the right at all reasonable times, and by all reasonable means during the term of this Lease Agreement and any renewal thereof, to enter the Property for the following purposes:

(i)	Survey the Property's condition and take photographs to document the condition.
(ii)	Make repairs or improvements to the Property.
(iii)	Supply agreed services.
(iv)	Show the Property to prospective buyers or tenants.
(v)	Exercise a contractual or statutory lien.
(vi)	Leave a written notice.
(vii)	Seize nonexempt property if the Tenant(s) is in default.

Except in case of emergency, the Landlord will give the Tenant(s) reasonable notice of intent to enter. For these purposes, twenty-four (24) hour written notice will be deemed reasonable.

13. ASSIGNMENT / SUBLETTING

The Tenant(s) acknowledges that this Lease Agreement is not transferable and that the Tenant(s) may not assign or sublet this Lease Agreement, grant any license to use the Property or any interest in the Property or any part thereof, nor mortgage or pledge this Lease Agreement.

The Tenant(s) shall not contravene this provision, unless the Landlord expressly waivers this prohibition in writing, the consent of which the Landlord may, in any case, withhold in its sole and absolute discretion.

14. NOTICES

Notice under this Lease Agreement will be given in accordance with the applicable statute. All other notices shall be deemed sufficient if made as follows:

1) All notices to the Landlord shall be directed by personal delivery or first-class mail to the Landlord at the appropriate address set forth below, until the Tenant(s) is notified, in writing, to the contrary.

2) All notices to the Tenant(s) shall be directed by personal delivery or first-class mail to the Tenant(s) at the Leased Property or any forwarding address provided in writing by the Tenant(s) to the Landlord.

Landlord:

_________
_________

Tenant:

_________
_________, _________, Tennessee _________

Such addresses may be changed from time to time by any party by providing notice as set forth above.

15. VENUE AND GOVERNING LAW

The exclusive venue is in the county where the Property is located. This Lease Agreement shall be governed, construed, and interpreted by the Laws of the State of Tennessee.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Landlord and Tenant have executed this Agreement in the manner prescribed by law as of the Effective Date.

Landlord:

By: ___________________________ Date: __________________
_________

Tenant:

By: ___________________________ Date: __________________
_________

TENNESSEE LEASE AGREEMENT
INSPECTION CHECKLIST

Address: _________, _________, Tennessee _________

The Tenant(s) has inspected the Property and states that the Property is in satisfactory condition, free of defects, except as noted below:

	SATISFACTORY	COMMENTS
Bathrooms	_________	_________________________
Carpeting	_________	_________________________
Ceilings	_________	_________________________
Closets	_________	_________________________
Countertops	_________	_________________________
Dishwasher	_________	_________________________
Disposal	_________	_________________________
Doors	_________	_________________________
Fireplace	_________	_________________________
Lights	_________	_________________________
Locks	_________	_________________________
Refrigerator	_________	_________________________
Screens	_________	_________________________
Stove	_________	_________________________
Walls	_________	_________________________
Windows	_________	_________________________
Window coverings	_________	_________________________
_________	_________	_________________________
_________	_________	_________________________

_____________________

Date