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Tennessee Security Deposit Limit

no statutory limit

Tennessee has no statewide statutory cap on residential security deposits — the amount is a matter of contract between you and the landlord. That makes reviewing the deposit clause in your lease especially important.

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

How Tennessee compares

30 of 51 US jurisdictions cap security deposits by statute; the other 21 set no statewide cap (local caps can still apply in some cities). Here is how Tennessee compares with other states in our database.

StateSecurity Deposit Limit
Tennesseeno statutory limit
Texasno statutory limit
Utahno statutory limit
Vermontno statewide limit (local caps in some cities)
Virginia2 months' rent

Frequently asked questions

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Tennessee?
Tennessee sets no statewide statutory maximum on security deposits, so the amount is negotiated in the lease. Tennessee is one of 21 US jurisdictions without a statewide deposit cap. No statutory limit on deposit amount. Must be held in separate account at Tennessee bank. Landlord must disclose bank name/address at lease signing. Return within 30 days (7 days if new tenant moves in). Unclaimed deposits: landlord may keep after 60 days if tenant does not respond.
Does Tennessee require landlords to pay interest on security deposits?
No. Tennessee does not have a statewide requirement that landlords pay interest on security deposits.
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Tennessee?
Tennessee landlords generally must return the deposit within 30 days after move-out.

Check Your Lease Against Tennessee Law

Not sure whether your lease complies with Tennessee law? Upload it and our analyzer flags problem clauses — deposit terms, entry rights, fees and prohibited provisions — using the same statute-backed database this page is generated from.

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More Tennessee lease law guides

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