Tennessee Lockouts and utility shutoffs
Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Tennessee?
Landlords may not take possession, including by cutting electricity, gas, water or other essential services, except after abandonment, surrender or as the Act allows. A tenant who is unlawfully removed or has services willfully cut may recover possession or end the lease, and recover actual and punitive damages plus attorney's fees. (Applies in counties covered by the URLTA, those with more than 75,000 people.) 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. §§ 66-28-504, 66-28-511 · last checked 2026-10-23
Same topic in neighboring states
- Alabama lockouts and utility shutoffs
- Arkansas lockouts and utility shutoffs
- Georgia lockouts and utility shutoffs
- Kentucky lockouts and utility shutoffs
- Missouri lockouts and utility shutoffs
- Mississippi lockouts and utility shutoffs
- North Carolina lockouts and utility shutoffs
- Virginia lockouts and utility shutoffs
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