All Laws Decoded

Eviction in Sullivan County, Tennessee

Where eviction cases are filed in Sullivan County, what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in Sullivan County

Eviction court
Sullivan County General Sessions Court (Bristol and Kingsport) - Circuit Court Clerk — General Sessions court Court page
Notice before filing (state law)
14 days. URLTA counties: written notice that the lease will end unless the rent is paid within 14 days after the tenant receives the notice. The tenant can cure by paying. Notice may be waived only by a waiver in 12-point or larger bold type in the lease, and the 5-day late-fee grace period still applies. Non-URLTA counties: 14 days' notice for rent that is due and in arrears, upon demand. The lease does not end if the tenant pays before the date in the notice. Tennessee rules
HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
$1,044/month HUD
Renter households
19,199 (28% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-28

Where eviction cases are filed in Sullivan County

Eviction cases in Sullivan County are heard by the Sullivan County General Sessions Court (Bristol and Kingsport) - Circuit Court Clerk (General Sessions court).

Court eviction page

The Circuit Court Clerk keeps General Sessions records and schedules cases for the General Sessions dockets, with General Sessions offices at the Bristol and Kingsport Justice Centers. Local rules: https://sullivancountytn.gov/wp-content/uploads/Sullivan-County-Rules-of-Local-Practice.pdf

The Tennessee eviction process

Tennessee state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Sullivan County:

  1. Notice of termination: 14 days for nonpayment (URLTA 66-28-505(a)(2); non-URLTA 66-7-109(a)); 14 or 30 days for other breaches; 3 days for violent or dangerous conduct (66-28-517; 66-7-109(d)); or no notice if the lease contains a valid bold-type waiver for nonpayment (URLTA, 66-28-505(b))
  2. Landlord files a detainer warrant in General Sessions Court
  3. Service on the tenant or any adult in possession; by certified mail through the sheriff or constable; or, if personal service is dispensed with, by publication plus posting on the front door at least 15 days before the appearance date (29-18-115)
  4. Trial: the serving officer notifies the tenant of the trial date, which must be at least 6 days after service (29-18-117)
  5. Judgment for possession (and rent or damages if sought)
  6. Appeal: either party may appeal to Circuit Court within 10 days (27-5-108; 29-18-128). A tenant who appeals must post a bond, cash deposit, letter of credit, or two personal sureties for one year's rent (29-18-130(b)(2))
  7. Writ of possession: may not issue until 10 days after judgment (29-18-126). If no appeal is taken, it issues by operation of law (27-5-108(d)(2))

Full Tennessee eviction rules with sources →

Rent in Sullivan County

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA MSA (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio$720
1 bedroom$818
2 bedrooms$1,044
3 bedrooms$1,338
4 bedrooms$1,464

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Sullivan County: $889/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

County tenant ordinance

No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified; eviction procedure is governed by state law. City rules, if any, are on city pages.

Eviction help in Sullivan County

Free legal help

Tenant and eviction lawyers in Sullivan County

Other Tennessee counties

Related

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Sullivan County?
Eviction cases in Sullivan County are filed with the Sullivan County General Sessions Court (Bristol and Kingsport) - Circuit Court Clerk.
Where can I get help with an eviction in Sullivan County?
Legal Aid of East Tennessee - Johnson City Office.
What is the fair market rent in Sullivan County?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,044 per month (1-bedroom: $818).

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.