Memphis, TN local landlord rules
State law also applies. See Tennessee landlord-tenant law and the Tennessee landlord FAQ. State rules: Security deposit limit · Deposit return deadline · Notice to enter · Late fees · Eviction notice (nonpayment) · Rent increase notice.
Quick facts
| Topic | At a glance |
|---|---|
| Rent control / stabilization | No local rent control. |
| Just-cause eviction | No local just-cause rule. |
| Short-term rentals (Airbnb) | In Memphis, a short-term rental needs a permit from the city before it can operate or be advertised (§ 5-44-5). |
Details & sources
Rent control / stabilization
No local rent control. Tennessee's URLTA applies in counties with more than 75,000 people (2010 census), and in those counties it occupies and preempts the entire field of landlord-tenant regulation (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-102(a), (e)).
Verified Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-102(a), (e) (Browser transcription) · last checked 2026-10-16
Back to quick facts ↑Just-cause eviction
No local just-cause rule. Tennessee's URLTA applies in counties with more than 75,000 people (2010 census), and in those counties it occupies and preempts the entire field of landlord-tenant regulation, so terminations follow the URLTA (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-102(a), (e)).
Verified Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-102(a), (e) (Browser transcription) · last checked 2026-10-16
Back to quick facts ↑Short-term rentals (Airbnb)
In Memphis, a short-term rental needs a permit from the city before it can operate or be advertised (§ 5-44-5). Code text: "No person or entity shall operate a short term rental property or advertise residential property for use as a short term rental property without the owner of the property first having obtained a short term rental property permit issued by the City of Memphis Division of public works."
Verified Source: Memphis, TN Code of Ordinances § 5-44-5 · last checked 2026-10-16
Back to quick facts ↑Research coverage
1 of 13 topics checked at the local level (state law is covered on the state page). A topic counts as checked only when every subtopic in it is checked or no additional requirement was found after a recorded full read. How coverage works.
| Topic | Status | Subtopics done |
|---|---|---|
| Deposits | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
| Deposit return deadlines | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Rent increases and rent control | Checked: requirement found | 1 of 1 |
| Late fees | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Landlord entry | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Repairs and habitability | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Screening and application fees | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Fair housing and assistance animals | Not researched | 0 of 1 |
| Disclosures | Not researched | 0 of 2 |
| Renewal and termination | Not researched | None tracked at this level |
| Eviction | Partially researched | 1 of 3 |
| Registration and licensing | Not researched | 0 of 3 |
| Short-term rentals | Partially researched | 1 of 2 |
Also applies statewide
Tennessee rules that also apply in Memphis:
- Security deposit limit
- Tenn. Code ch. 66-28 (reviewed by full-text search on 2026-10-15) sets no maximum security deposit. (Applies in counties covered by the URLTA, those with more than 75,000 people.) Verified Source: Tenn. Code Ann. ch. 66-28 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full Tennessee security deposit limit page
- Deposit return deadline
- Deposits must be kept in a separate escrow account at a regulated bank, and tenants must be told where it is at lease signing. Move-out damage must be listed (with a mutual inspection if the tenant requests one) or the landlord cannot keep any of the deposit. If a refund is due, the landlord must notify the tenant. A refund unclaimed after 60 days may be kept. The statute sets no fixed return deadline. (Applies in counties covered by the URLTA, those with more than 75,000 people.) Verified Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301(a)–(c), (f), (h) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full Tennessee deposit return deadline page
- Notice to enter
- Tenants may not unreasonably refuse entry for inspection, repairs or showings, and emergency entry needs no consent. To show the unit to prospective tenants in the final 30 days, the lease must allow it and the landlord must give 24 hours' notice. Landlords may not abuse access to harass. No general advance-notice period. (Applies in counties covered by the URLTA, those with more than 75,000 people.) Verified Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-403 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full Tennessee notice to enter page
- Late fees
- Late fees may not exceed 10% of the past-due rent, and none may be charged until a 5-day grace period ends (the due date counts; if day 5 is a Sunday or legal holiday, payment the next business day is on time) (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d)). Applies only in counties with population over 75,000 (2010 census), where the URLTA applies (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-102(a)); elsewhere common law and the lease govern. Verified Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d) · last checked 2026-10-23 · Full Tennessee late fees page
Other Tennessee cities
- Chattanooga landlord rules
- Clarksville landlord rules
- Franklin landlord rules
- Knoxville landlord rules
- Nashville landlord rules
- Red Bank landlord rules
Back to Tennessee landlord-tenant law
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