General info, not legal advice. Details

Tennessee Late fees

Last reviewed 2026-10-23

Can a landlord charge a late fee in Tennessee, and how much?

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

How this works in Tennessee

In Tennessee counties over 75,000 people (2010 census), where the URLTA applies, late fees are capped at 10% of the past-due rent, and none may be charged until a 5-day grace period ends. The due date counts as day one. Elsewhere, common law and the lease govern.

Worked example for Tennessee

Say rent of $1,300 is due on a Monday in a county where the URLTA applies. The due date counts, so the grace period runs through Friday. If Friday were a legal holiday, payment the next business day would still be on time. After that, the maximum late fee is 10% of $1,300, which is $130.

Tennessee timelines and limits

Where it appliesCounties over 75,000 population (2010 census)
Grace period5 days, counting the due date
Cap10% of the past-due rent

Tennessee FAQ

How much can a Tennessee landlord charge for late rent?

No more than 10% of the past-due rent, under Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d), where the URLTA applies.

Is there a grace period in Tennessee?

Yes, 5 days, counting the due date. If day 5 is a Sunday or legal holiday, payment the next business day is on time.

Does this apply in every county?

No. Only in counties over 75,000 (2010 census). Elsewhere common law and the lease govern.

Sources for this section: Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d) (checked 2026-10-23)

This is general information, not legal advice. The verified rule and official sources above control. Check the source or a local attorney for your situation.

Related Tennessee rules

Late fee grace period

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 · Full Tennessee late fee grace period 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

Application fees & screening

No state statute limiting rental application fees was found in Tenn. Code Ann. ch. 66-28 (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) and § 66-7-109, reviewed by full-text search.

Verified Source: Tenn. Code Ann. ch. 66-28 (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act) and § 66-7-109, reviewed by full-text search · last checked 2026-10-23 · Full Tennessee application fees & screening 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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