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

2. The problems were caused by you,
Is it because of problems
someone living with you or your guests OR
like poor wiring or
plumbing, or rotting 3. The landlord would have to tear down or
wood? remodel your home to fix the problems.
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What if the landlord tries to evict you but none • A sign says no parking in a fire lane and
of these are true for you? Call Legal Aid at 1-800- you park there OR
238-1443. It’s a free call. • You park in front of a fire hydrant OR
• Your car is in a “No parking” or
handicapped space OR
• A sign says your car must have a parking
Fixing things you can’t permit, but it doesn’t.
live without 2. A landlord must put a note on
What if you don’t have any the car 24 hours before towing
lights, heat, gas, water, sewage or it if:
plumbing? These are services you • The car doesn’t run AND it’s dangerous
need. Write your landlord about what is wrong. for the people who live there.
Put the date on the letter and keep a copy.
3. A landlord must put a note on the car 10 days
What if these problems aren’t fixed right away before towing it if:
after you send the letter? Were the problems NOT
your fault or the fault of someone in your home? • The car doesn’t run but is not dangerous,
Then you can do one of these things: OR
• It has a flat tire, OR
• Use some of your rent money to get things • The windows or windshield are broken,
fixed. Make a copy of the repair bill. Send OR
the copy to your landlord with the rest of • Fenders or bumpers are missing, OR
your rent. OR • The tags are more than 30 days out of
• Sue your landlord for money. OR date, OR
• Get another place to stay while you wait • It’s been there 7 days and it doesn’t
for repairs. You don’t have to pay rent belong to a renter or their visitor.
on the place being repaired till you