Tennessee Department of Health, If You Rent a Place, Know Your Legal Rights and Duties

Find out how much renter’s insurance will
cost. It can save you a lot of money if you What if you find problems with the place
have a fire or a flood. Your lease may say you before you move in?
must have renter’s insurance. See our booklet 1. Before you sign a lease or move in, make a
“Renter’s Insurance.” list of the problems you see. Are small repairs
needed? Ask the landlord to fix the problems
before you move in. Sign and date the list.
Important! Have the landlord sign this list
Check for problems before you sign a lease and move in. Keep a
Always check the copy of the list in a safe place. You may need
place for problems it to get your security deposit back when you
before you move move out.
in or sign a lease.
2. Are big repairs needed? Don’t sign a lease or
Look for a place
move in.
that is in good
shape, safe and fit 3. What if the landlord only promises to fix it
to live in. after you move in? Is this OK with you? Then
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 have the landlord make a list and say when lease may make you pay a fee if you don’t mow
each will be fixed. You and the landlord both the lawn.
need to sign the paper. Keep a copy.
Before you sign a lease, read it carefully. If you
4. Take pictures when you move in. Save the don’t understand something, don’t sign the lease.
pictures in a safe place, with a copy of your
The lease should say everything you and the
lease.
landlord agreed to. It should say if the landlord
has agreed to do repairs. The lease proves what
you and the landlord agreed to, so make sure it is
right.
Security Deposit
Ask for a written copy of any renter’s rules.
A landlord may make you Renter’s rules are usually things like dog leashes
pay a security deposit before and pool rules.
you move in. Get a receipt
that says “security deposit” and shows the date