If you're about to or have just become a Nashville landlord, know that evictions are among the most complex things you must prepare for. Especially since, according to EvictionLab.org, the city had 5,869 eviction filings in the past year (as of April 1, 2024). Compared to the average pre-COVID filing count, that figure is 45% higher.
To that end, our team at PMI Music City compiled this property owner guide to the Nashville eviction process. Keep reading to learn about tenant-landlord eviction rights, legal eviction steps, and tips for preventing this complex and costly procedure.
Eviction-Related Tenant Rights Nashville Landlords Must Know About
As the state government website explains, tenants in Tennessee, including Nashville, have the following eviction-related rights:
- Receive proper notice before getting evicted
- Stay in the rental property without their landlord forcing them to move out
- Not have their landlord lock them out of the rental or shut off the utilities to force them to leave
As a Nashville landlord, you must respect those rights; otherwise, your tenants can sue you, and you'll likely face severe penalties and hefty fines.
Nashville's Legal Eviction Steps
According to the Nashville government website, landlords and renters in Davidson County, whose county seat is Nashville, must adhere to the Tennessee Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act (URTLA). Under the URTLA, landlords must:
- Issue a 14-day eviction notice
- Detail the proposed eviction (e.g., non-payment of rent or lease violation)
- Inform tenants they have 14 days to correct the issue (e.g., pay rent or remedy the violation)
If tenants fail to correct the issue within 14 days, landlords can proceed with the eviction lawsuit. To file an eviction case in Nashville, you must:
- Do so through the General Sessions Court Clerk's Office
- Have the Sheriff's office or a process server serve the tenant with the official legal paperwork
- Attend court hearings
If the court's judgment is in your favor, you must usually give the tenant ten more days to vacate. The tenant can file an appeal during this period. If they don't, you can file a Writ of Possession for the Sheriff to remove the tenant and their belongings from the property.
Preventing Evictions
One of the most effective ways to prevent or minimize evictions is to screen tenants thoroughly by checking their:
- Credit score and credit history
- Income and employment sources
- Rental and eviction history
- Criminal background
By performing those steps, you can better gauge which of your renter applicants are most likely to pay rent on time and least likely to break the lease.
Another effective strategy is to work with a full-service property management company. Your manager will screen tenants for you and back their services with an eviction protection plan.
Protect Yourself From Evictions
Evictions in Nashville, TN, can take weeks, even months, and can cost you lots of money, stress, and headaches. To prevent this, screen tenants thoroughly or, better yet, partner with us here at PMI Music City.
We're a property management company whose full-service solutions include tenant placement and eviction protection. Our team comprises real estate management experts who'll make managing your Nashville rental manageable. We're also part of PMI, a national franchise with over twenty years of property management history.
Speak with us today for a free property consultation and discover how we can help safeguard you from evictions!
