Tennessee Lease Termination Letter (Ending a Lease Early)

A free Tennessee lease termination letter (ending a lease early) that follows Tennessee law. Fill in the boxes, check the rules below, then print or copy it. Keep a copy and proof of how you sent it.

What Tennessee law says

Ending a lease: military, medical, death	Disability: a person who is permanently and totally disabled (as defined in 71-4-1102) may terminate the lease of a primary residence without penalty or further rent after moving out if accepted as a resident of a public housing facility, by presenting written evidence of acceptance; the landlord must acknowledge in writing. Does not apply if the landlord made significant accessibility modifications to the unit. Source: T.C.A. 66-7-110
Ending a lease: domestic violence	Statewide, for leases entered or renewed on or after July 1, 2021: a tenant who is, or whose household member is, a domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking victim may end the lease without liability for future rent or early termination fees by giving the landlord written notice requesting release, a mutually agreed release date within 30 days of the notice, and either a valid order of protection (issued/extended after a hearing finding victim status) or documentation of a criminal charge based on a police report; documentation must be dated within 60 days before the notice. The tenant must vacate within 30 days (or as agreed) and owes rent for the full month in which the tenancy ends plus prior obligations. The landlord may not reveal the tenant's identifying/location information without written consent. Separately, where domestic abuse is the basis for termination, only the perpetrator may be evicted once the victim has a qualifying order of protection. Source: T.C.A. 66-7-112; 66-7-109(e)

Ending a lease: military, medical, death

Disability: a person who is permanently and totally disabled (as defined in 71-4-1102) may terminate the lease of a primary residence without penalty or further rent after moving out if accepted as a resident of a public housing facility, by presenting written evidence of acceptance; the landlord must acknowledge in writing. Does not apply if the landlord made significant accessibility modifications to the unit.

Source: T.C.A. 66-7-110

Ending a lease: domestic violence

Statewide, for leases entered or renewed on or after July 1, 2021: a tenant who is, or whose household member is, a domestic abuse, sexual assault or stalking victim may end the lease without liability for future rent or early termination fees by giving the landlord written notice requesting release, a mutually agreed release date within 30 days of the notice, and either a valid order of protection (issued/extended after a hearing finding victim status) or documentation of a criminal charge based on a police report; documentation must be dated within 60 days before the notice. The tenant must vacate within 30 days (or as agreed) and owes rent for the full month in which the tenancy ends plus prior obligations. The landlord may not reveal the tenant's identifying/location information without written consent. Separately, where domestic abuse is the basis for termination, only the perpetrator may be evicted once the victim has a qualifying order of protection.

Source: T.C.A. 66-7-112; 66-7-109(e)

Fill in your letter

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To: [landlord or manager name], [landlord address]

From: [your name], tenant at [rental address]

I am ending my lease early under T.C.A. 66-7-110 for this reason: [the reason the law allows, e.g. active military orders].

I have attached [the documents the law requires, e.g. a copy of the orders].

My termination date is [termination date], and I will return the keys by [key return date].

Please return my security deposit, less only lawful deductions, to [forwarding address].

Date: [today's date]
Tenant: [your name]
Signature: ____________________

How to send it: use a method you can prove — certified mail with return receipt, or email/text if your lease allows notices that way. Write down the date.

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General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.