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

Then here’s what to do. The law says you must Is the place NOT HEALTHY
write your landlord. It must be in writing so you because of problems like garbage,
have proof. Make sure it has the date on it. Keep a bugs or rats?
copy. Wait 2 weeks (14 days). What if the landlord
doesn’t make the repair? You might be able to • In Anderson County, call the Health
move out. Call Legal Aid or a lawyer for advice. Department at 865-425-8800.
• In Davidson County, call the Metro Health
Warning! You can only move out if the problem is Department at 615-340-5616.
something that makes the place unsafe. Example: • In Maury County, call the Health
Your window blinds are broken. This does not Department at 931-388-5757.
make the place unsafe. You can’t use that as a • In Montgomery County, call the Health
reason to move out. Department at 931-648-5747.
• In Rutherford County, call the Health
Never skip paying rent because repairs have not Department at 615-898-7880.
been made. Not paying rent breaks your lease. • In Sumner County, call the Health
The landlord can make you move out (evict you). Department at 615-824-0552
But see “Fixing things you can’t live without” on • In Williamson County, call the Health
Department at 615-794-1542.
page 6.
• In Wilson County, call the Health
Did you have to spend money because the Department at 615-444-5325.
landlord didn’t fix things? Is it something the law
or the lease says the landlord must do? The judge Can your landlord evict you if you ask to get the
can make the landlord pay you back. But you place fixed? Or for telling the health department
must have receipts that show how much you or codes department about the problem?
spent.
Maybe. The landlord can evict you for reporting
problems IF:
1. You are behind on your rent OR
Is the place UNSAFE?