How many days late can rent be before fees in Tennessee?

Tennessee generally provides a 5-day grace period before late fees. Late fees cannot exceed 10% of past due rent. 5-day grace period required (includes due date; if 5th day is Sunday/holiday, fee cannot be charged if paid next business day).

How large can the late fee itself be in Tennessee?

Late fees in Tennessee are generally capped at 10% of the past-due rent, and fees must also be reasonable.

Can a landlord charge a late fee the day after rent is due in Tennessee?

Generally no — a 5-day grace period applies first in covered tenancies.

Tennessee Rent Grace Period

5 days

Tenants in Tennessee generally get a 5-day grace period after the rent due date before late fees may be charged — Tennessee is one of 14 US jurisdictions with a mandated statewide grace period. The FAQ below covers who the rule protects.

Educational information: generated from our Tennessee law database (last updated 2024-01-01). Not legal advice.

How Tennessee compares

14 of 51 US jurisdictions mandate a general statewide grace period before late fees; elsewhere any grace period is local, conditional, or set by the lease. Here is how Tennessee compares with other states in our database.

State	Rent Grace Period
Tennessee	5 days
Texas	2 days
Utah	no statutory grace period
Vermont	no statutory grace period
Virginia	no statutory grace period

Frequently asked questions

How many days late can rent be before fees in Tennessee?: Tennessee generally provides a 5-day grace period before late fees. Late fees cannot exceed 10% of past due rent. 5-day grace period required (includes due date; if 5th day is Sunday/holiday, fee cannot be charged if paid next business day).
How large can the late fee itself be in Tennessee?: Late fees in Tennessee are generally capped at 10% of the past-due rent, and fees must also be reasonable.
Can a landlord charge a late fee the day after rent is due in Tennessee?: Generally no — a 5-day grace period applies first in covered tenancies.

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Educational information generated from state statute data — not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee for your specific situation.