Landlord Entry Rules in Tennessee
Tennessee rules on landlord entry for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: No general advance-notice requirement. In URLTA counties, the tenant may not unreasonably refuse consent to entry to inspect, repair, supply services, or show the unit. T.C.A. 66-28-403; ch. 66-7 (checked)
The rules in Tennessee
| Landlord entry notice | No general advance-notice requirement. In URLTA counties, the tenant may not unreasonably refuse consent to entry to inspect, repair, supply services, or show the unit. The landlord may enter without consent in an emergency, or when utilities are off through no fault of the landlord. Otherwise the landlord may enter only by court order, if the unit is abandoned or surrendered, if the tenant is deceased, incapacitated or incarcerated, or as the statute otherwise allows. Showings to prospective tenants in the final 30 days of the lease are allowed only if the lease provides for them and 24 hours' notice is given. The landlord may not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Non-URLTA counties: no statute; the lease governs entry. Official T.C.A. is published only via LexisNexis; text verified on a public mirror of the code (FindLaw, current as of Jan. 2, 2024; older than 2025). URLTA counties only. T.C.A. ch. 66-7 (§§ 66-7-101 to 66-7-113), which applies in all counties, has no entry or notice-of-entry provision. |
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Related questions
Tennessee vs. neighboring states
| State | Landlord entry notice |
|---|---|
| Tennessee | No general advance-notice requirement. In URLTA counties, the tenant may not unreasonably refuse consent to entry to inspect, repair, supply services, or show the unit. The landlord may enter without consent in an emergency, or when utilities are off through no fault of the landlord. Otherwise the landlord may enter only by court order, if the unit is abandoned or surrendered, if the tenant is deceased, incapacitated or incarcerated, or as the statute otherwise allows. Showings to prospective tenants in the final 30 days of the lease are allowed only if the lease provides for them and 24 hours' notice is given. The landlord may not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Non-URLTA counties: no statute; the lease governs entry. T.C.A. 66-28-403; ch. 66-7 (checked) |
| Alabama | The landlord must give at least two days' notice and may enter only at reasonable times. Posting a note on the tenant's primary entry door that states the time and purpose counts as notice. Entry without consent is allowed in an emergency, under a court order, or when the landlord reasonably believes the tenant has abandoned the unit. A tenant who requests repairs is deemed to consent to entry to make them. Ala. Code § 35-9A-303 |
| Arkansas | No statute — Arkansas sets no advance-notice requirement for landlord entry. The tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent for the landlord to enter to inspect, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements, supply services, investigate possible rule or lease violations or criminal activity, or show the unit to prospective or actual buyers, lenders, tenants, workers, or contractors. The tenant may not change the locks without the landlord's permission. If the tenant refuses lawful access, the landlord may seek an injunction in district court (no bond) or terminate the lease, and recover actual damages and reasonable attorney's fees. Ark. Code Ann. §§ 18-17-602, 18-17-705 |
| Georgia | No statute. Entry is governed by the lease; if the lease gives no right of entry, the tenant may refuse except in an emergency. Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook (DCA, rev. 8-29-24), p. 12 |
| Kentucky | URLTA areas: at least 2 days' notice and entry only at reasonable times, except in emergencies or where impracticable; no abuse of access. Non-URLTA areas: no statute. KRS 383.615 |
| Mississippi | No statute. The Residential Landlord and Tenant Act has no provision on landlord entry or advance notice before entry. Miss. Code Ann. §§ 89-8-1 to 89-8-45 (no entry provision) |
| Missouri | No statute — entry and notice before entry are governed by the lease. RSMo Chs. 441, 534 and 535 (no section on landlord entry) |
| North Carolina | No statute — North Carolina's landlord-tenant chapter (G.S. Chapter 42) sets no notice period or rules for landlord entry; entry is governed by the lease. N.C. Gen. Stat. Chapter 42 (checked; no entry section) |
| Virginia | Landlord must give notice of intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times; at least 72 hours' notice for routine maintenance not requested by the tenant. No notice needed in an emergency, when impractical, or when the tenant requested the maintenance. Va. Code 55.1-1229 |
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Landlord Entry Rules in Tennessee FAQ
Can a landlord enter without notice in Tennessee?
No general advance-notice requirement. In URLTA counties, the tenant may not unreasonably refuse consent to entry to inspect, repair, supply services, or show the unit. The landlord may enter without consent in an emergency, or when utilities are off through no fault of the landlord. Otherwise the landlord may enter only by court order, if the unit is abandoned or surrendered, if the tenant is deceased, incapacitated or incarcerated, or as the statute otherwise allows. Showings to prospective tenants in the final 30 days of the lease are allowed only if the lease provides for them and 24 hours' notice is given. The landlord may not abuse the right of access or use it to harass the tenant. Non-URLTA counties: no statute; the lease governs entry. (T.C.A. 66-28-403; ch. 66-7 (checked))
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.