Important Notice: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Jurist-Diction is not a law firm. For legal representation in Nashville, contact Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee — 1-800-238-1443 or the Nashville Legal Aid office — 615-244-6610.
Tennessee's Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA) governs evictions in Davidson County and most of the state. It requires landlords to follow specific notice procedures, provide written notice of the reason for the eviction, and allow tenants a reasonable time to cure fixable violations before filing in court.
Nashville has seen a significant rise in eviction filings as rents have increased. Many of those evictions are filed on improper notice or before the cure period has run — both of which are complete defenses. Know the timeline before you go to court.
Available Defenses Under Tennessee Law
Each of these can be raised at your Davidson County General Sessions hearing.
- T.C.A. § 66-28-201Defective notice — wrong notice period, improper service, or missing required language
- T.C.A. § 66-28-304Warranty of habitability — landlord failed to maintain essential services or livable conditions
- T.C.A. § 66-28-502Retaliatory eviction — eviction follows a complaint to code enforcement or exercise of tenant rights
- T.C.A. § 66-28-405Self-help eviction — landlord changed locks, removed belongings, or cut utilities without court order
- T.C.A. § 66-28-201(c)Waiver — landlord accepted rent after issuing the notice, extinguishing the right to evict
- SCRA § 3951Military service — active-duty servicemember stationed in or near Nashville
How to Respond to an Eviction in Nashville
Identify the Type of Notice You Received
Tennessee uses specific notice periods depending on the reason for eviction. Nonpayment of rent: 14-day written notice to pay or vacate (T.C.A. § 66-28-201(b)). Lease violation: 14-day notice with opportunity to cure, then 16 days to comply or vacate. Material and irreparable breach (threats, drug activity): 3-day notice, no cure option. If the notice type is wrong for the stated reason, or the period is shorter than required, the eviction is premature.
Appear at the Davidson County General Sessions Court
Nashville evictions are filed in the Davidson County General Sessions Court, Civil Division, located at 1 Public Square, Suite 302, Nashville, TN 37201. You will receive a detainer warrant by certified mail and personal service — the date on the warrant is your hearing date. You must appear. Failure to appear results in a default judgment and an immediate order for possession.
Present Your Defenses at the Hearing
General Sessions hearings are brief. Have your evidence organized before you walk in. Bring: your lease, all rent payment records, photos of any uninhabitable conditions, any written notice you sent the landlord about repairs, and any rent receipts received after the eviction notice was issued. State your defenses clearly at the start: "Your Honor, I am raising a defense of [improper notice / habitability / retaliation]."
Invoke the Right to Cure for Nonpayment
Tennessee law allows a tenant to cure a nonpayment eviction by paying all rent owed before the hearing. If you can bring the full amount due (in cash, certified check, or money order) to court on your hearing date, the case may be dismissed. This right is generally available once per 12-month period. Contact the Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee before your hearing to confirm current procedure.
Appeal to Circuit or Chancery Court Within 10 Days
If the General Sessions Court rules against you, you have 10 calendar days to appeal to the Davidson County Circuit Court or Chancery Court. The appeal must be filed with the General Sessions clerk and accompanied by a cash bond or a surety bond. An appeal stays the eviction — you cannot be removed while the appeal is pending, provided the bond requirements are met.
Understand the Writ of Possession Timeline
Even if a judgment is entered against you, the landlord must obtain a Writ of Possession from the court before a sheriff can remove you. The writ is typically issued 10 days after judgment to allow for appeal. During this window, you have the opportunity to file your appeal, negotiate with the landlord, or make arrangements. Do not wait.
Nashville Court and Legal Aid Contacts
Davidson County General Sessions Court
1 Public Square, Suite 302 Nashville, TN 37201 (615) 862-5181
Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee
300 Deaderick Street, Suite 300 Nashville, TN 37201 1-800-238-1443 (statewide) (615) 244-6610 (Nashville direct)
Nashville Conflict Resolution Center
Free tenant-landlord mediation before hearing date. Contact: 615-256-5051
Tennessee Justice Center
Statewide housing and public benefits advocacy. 301 Charlotte Avenue, Nashville, TN 37201 (615) 255-0331
Related Resources
Tennessee Specific — All 95 Counties
Tennessee Eviction Defense Answer
Jurisdiction-correct eviction defense documents for Tennessee General Sessions Court. Includes answer, affirmative defenses under URLTA, notice challenge, and filing instructions for Davidson County and all 95 Tennessee counties.
Get the Documents — $249Disclaimer: This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Jurist-Diction is not a law firm and does not provide legal representation. For legal assistance in Nashville, contact Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee — 1-800-238-1443.