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Tennessee Late fee grace period

Last reviewed 2026-10-15

Is there a grace period before a late fee can be charged in Tennessee?

5-day grace period, counting the due date. If day 5 falls on a Sunday or legal holiday, payment on the next business day is on time. Late fees are capped at 10% of past-due rent. (Applies in counties covered by the URLTA, those with more than 75,000 people.)

Verified Source: Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d) · last checked 2026-10-15

Related Tennessee rules

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

Eviction notice (nonpayment)

14 days' written notice to pay before the lease ends. If substantially the same breach recurs within 6 months, 7 days' notice is enough. A lease may waive notice in 12-point bold type, but the 5-day rent grace period still applies. In counties not covered by the URLTA, § 66-7-109 provides 14 days' notice for unpaid rent. (Applies in counties covered by the URLTA, those with more than 75,000 people.)

Verified Source: Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 66-28-505(a)–(b), 66-7-109(a) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full Tennessee eviction notice (nonpayment) page

Same topic in neighboring states

All Tennessee landlord-tenant law · Tennessee landlord FAQ · Security deposit limit · Deposit return deadline · Notice to enter · Required lease disclosures · Required disclosures (mold, lead, radon, bedbug, asbestos, flood zone)

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