Can My Landlord Enter Without Notice in Tennessee?
Can My Landlord Enter Without Notice in Tennessee?
Reviewed Nov 4, 2026
Short answer: sometimes. Under Tennessee’s landlord-tenant law, you can’t unreasonably refuse entry for inspections, repairs or showings, and your landlord can come in without your consent in a real emergency. But state law doesn’t set a general advance-notice period, so your lease usually decides how much notice you get. The one fixed rule: to show your home to new renters in the last 30 days of your lease, the lease must allow it and the landlord must give at least 24 hours’ notice. Your landlord can never use entry to harass you.
Have a notice on your door? Review your notice.
Your first review is free with an account. We’ll tell you whether it’s a landlord notice or a court warrant, what kind of notice it is, and your next steps.
An entry notice is not an eviction notice. If you’re not sure what you got, see the difference between a notice and an eviction lawsuit.
When your landlord can come in (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-403)
- With your consent, which you shouldn’t unreasonably refuse, to inspect, repair, provide services, or show the home to buyers, lenders or workers.
- Without consent in an emergency: a sudden, unexpected situation that needs immediate action, such as a burst pipe or fire.
- When utilities were cut off through no fault of the landlord: to check and repair damage.
- By court order.
- If you’ve abandoned or surrendered the home, or if you are deceased, incapacitated or incarcerated.
- In the final 30 days of your lease to show it to new renters, only if your lease says so and with at least 24 hours’ notice.
- If you’re away more than 7 days: at reasonable times (§ 66-28-507(b)).
- To make a repair you were told to make: if you don’t fix a health-and-safety problem you’re responsible for within 14 days of a written notice, the landlord may enter to fix it and bill you (§ 66-28-506).
What your landlord can’t do
- Abuse the right of entry or use it to harass you (§ 66-28-403(d)).
- Lock you out, remove doors or shut off utilities to force you out. That is not allowed without a court order (§ 66-28-504).
- Raise your rent, cut services, or threaten eviction because you complained to the landlord about required repairs or used your rights under the landlord-tenant law (§ 66-28-514). There are exceptions, for example if you’re behind on rent.
Smaller Tennessee counties
Tennessee’s landlord-tenant act covers the larger counties, including Davidson. In counties it doesn’t cover, your lease matters even more. Check whether your county is covered before relying on these rules.
Have a notice on your door? Review your notice.
Your first review is free with an account. We’ll tell you whether it’s a landlord notice or a court warrant, what kind of notice it is, and your next steps.
What to do if your landlord keeps coming in
- Read your lease’s entry clause.
- Keep a log: dates, times, who came in, and why.
- Ask in writing for advance notice and reasonable times.
- If it continues or you’re threatened with eviction for complaining, get legal help. Can’t find a lawyer? We guarantee you one.
Related: notice periods your landlord must follow.
Sources
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-403 (access by landlord)
- Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 66-28-504, 66-28-506, 66-28-507, 66-28-514
- tn.gov landlord-tenant resources
This is general information to help you understand your papers, not legal advice for your situation. Rules and court practice can change, so check your papers and talk with a lawyer if you can. Can’t find a lawyer? We guarantee you one.