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Tennessee Eviction Notice Template (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-505)
Before a landlord can file an eviction case, most states require a written notice that tells the tenant what is wrong and how long they have to fix it or move out. Answer the questions below to create a clear, professional notice — then check it against your state and local rules before you serve it.
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Free to preview[Landlord or property manager name]
[Your address and phone for the tenant to reach you]
October 15, 2026
To: [Tenant name(s)]
and all other occupants of
[Rental property address]
Re: [Type of notice] — [Rental property address]
Dear [Tenant name(s)],
This letter is formal written notice to you as the tenant of the property at [Rental property address]. Type of notice: [Type of notice].
The reason for this notice is as follows:
[Reason for this notice]
Within [Notice period in days] days after this notice is delivered to you, you must [What the tenant must do within that time]. If this notice is delivered to you on October 15, 2026, that period ends on October 15, 2026.
This notice is given under the Tennessee Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-505, which requires written notice to the tenant before a landlord may terminate the rental agreement.
If you do not do so within that time, I intend to file an eviction case with the court to recover possession of the property. You will have the opportunity to respond in court, and you may not be removed from the property unless a court orders it. I will not remove you or your belongings or change the locks without a court order.
If you have questions about this notice, or wish to discuss payment or resolving the issue, please contact me in writing at the address above.
Sincerely,
[Landlord or property manager name]
Date this notice was delivered: ____________________
Method of delivery: ____________________
Delivered by: ____________________
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How eviction notices work in Tennessee
Under Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, which applies in the state's more populous counties, a landlord gives 14 days' written notice for unpaid rent. For other material lease violations, the notice gives the tenant 14 days to fix the problem and states that the agreement ends in 30 days if it is not fixed. A month-to-month tenancy ends with at least 30 days' written notice.
The notice should be in writing, state the rent owed or describe the breach, and give the deadline. A repeat violation within six months may allow a 7-day notice, and serious threats to health or safety allow a 3-day notice. In counties not covered by the act, Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-7-109 sets similar notice rules. Keep a dated copy and proof of delivery.
If the tenant does not pay, cure, or leave, the landlord files a detainer warrant in general sessions court. The tenant can appear at the hearing and has a short time to appeal. Tennessee landlords may not lock out tenants, remove belongings, or interrupt utilities instead of going to court; a writ of possession is executed by the sheriff.
What to do, step by step
Check your state and local rules first
Look up the notice period, required wording and delivery method for your state, county and city. Many places set different periods for unpaid rent, lease violations and ending a tenancy, and some cities add their own just-cause rules.
Fill in the notice
Answer the questions above. Name every adult tenant on the lease, state the facts plainly and enter the exact number of days your rules require.
Serve it the way your state requires
States specify how a notice must be delivered — commonly hand delivery, leaving it with an adult at the home, posting and mailing, or certified mail. A notice served the wrong way may have to be redone.
Record how and when you served it
Write down the date, time, method and who delivered it, and keep a copy of the notice. Courts often ask for this proof of service.
Wait out the full notice period
Don't change the locks, remove belongings or shut off utilities. If the tenant fixes the problem, accept it as your rules require; if not, the next step is filing an eviction case in court.
What if the tenant doesn't respond to the notice?
An eviction notice is not an eviction. It is the written warning most states require before you can go to court. If the notice period ends and the tenant hasn't paid, fixed the violation or moved out, the next step is to file an eviction case — often called an unlawful detainer or summary possession case — with your local court.
Until a judge rules in your favor and a court officer such as a sheriff or marshal carries out the order, the tenant has the right to stay. Changing the locks, removing the tenant's belongings, cutting off utilities or otherwise forcing them out is a so-called self-help eviction, which is illegal in nearly every state and can expose you to damages.
Courts look closely at the notice itself. If the period was too short, the wording missed something your state requires or it was delivered the wrong way, the case can be dismissed and you may have to start over. Your local court's self-help center or a landlord association can tell you what your court expects.
Example Tennessee eviction notice
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Greenway Rentals LLC
PO Box 2210, Lakeview, MN 55401 · (555) 201-4478
October 5, 2026
To: Taylor Brooks and Jamie Brooks
and all other occupants of
56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402
Re: Notice to pay rent or quit — 56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402
Dear Taylor Brooks and Jamie Brooks,
This letter is formal written notice to you as the tenant of the property at 56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402. Type of notice: Notice to pay rent or quit.
The reason for this notice is as follows:
Rent of $1,450 for the month of September 2026, due on September 1, 2026, has not been paid, despite a reminder sent by email on September 10.
The total amount of rent now due is $1,450.00.
Within 14 days after this notice is delivered to you, you must pay the full amount of rent owed or move out of the property. If this notice is delivered to you on October 5, 2026, that period ends on October 19, 2026.
This notice is given under the Tennessee Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-505, which requires written notice to the tenant before a landlord may terminate the rental agreement.
If you do not do so within that time, I intend to file an eviction case with the court to recover possession of the property. You will have the opportunity to respond in court, and you may not be removed from the property unless a court orders it. I will not remove you or your belongings or change the locks without a court order.
If you have questions about this notice, or wish to discuss payment or resolving the issue, please contact me in writing at the address above.
Sincerely,
Greenway Rentals LLC
Date this notice was delivered: ____________________
Method of delivery: ____________________
Delivered by: ____________________
Frequently asked questions
How long is a nonpayment notice in Tennessee?
Fourteen days. Under the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, a landlord can terminate if rent is unpaid 14 days after written notice. In counties not covered by the act, § 66-7-109 also generally calls for 14 days' notice for nonpayment.
Does the Tennessee landlord-tenant act apply everywhere in the state?
No. The Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies only in counties above a population threshold set in the statute. Smaller counties follow other parts of the Tennessee Code, so check which rules cover the property's county.
How long does a Tennessee tenant have to fix a lease violation?
Fourteen days. The notice states the breach and that the agreement ends 30 days after receipt unless the breach is remedied within 14 days. A repeat violation within six months may allow a 7-day notice without a chance to cure.
How do I end a month-to-month tenancy in Tennessee?
Give written notice at least 30 days before the termination date, under § 66-28-512. A week-to-week tenancy needs 10 days. The landlord still files a detainer warrant if the tenant does not leave.
How much notice do I have to give a tenant?
It depends on your state, sometimes your city, the type of notice and the lease. Periods for unpaid rent can be as short as a few days or as long as a month, and notices ending a month-to-month tenancy are often 30 days or more. Check your state's landlord-tenant law and any local ordinance before serving.
Is an eviction notice the same as being evicted?
No. A notice only starts the process. If the tenant doesn't comply, the landlord must file a case in court and win a judgment. Only a court order, carried out by a sheriff, marshal or similar officer, can legally remove a tenant from the property.
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