What to Bring to Eviction Court in Nashville
Have a notice on your door? Review your notice.
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The review reads your notice, tells you whether it’s a landlord notice or a court warrant (detainer warrant) and what kind of notice it is, and gives you your next steps.
Review your noticeReviewed Nov 4, 2026
Short answer: bring your detainer warrant, your lease, every notice your landlord gave you, proof of every payment, photos of any repair problems, and copies of texts or emails with your landlord. Bring three copies of anything important: one for you, one for the judge and one for the landlord. Arrive early, because hearings are often called in a group at the start of the session.
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.
This checklist is for an eviction court date. If you only have a notice from your landlord, start with what to do about a notice on your door.
Checklist
- ☐ The detainer warrant (and any summons or reset notice)
- ☐ Photo ID
- ☐ Your lease and any renewals
- ☐ Every notice from your landlord (14-day, 30-day, etc.), with the date you got it
- ☐ Rent receipts, money order stubs, bank or app records, and any refused payment
- ☐ Rental assistance applications or approval letters
- ☐ Photos and videos of repair problems, with dates, and your repair requests
- ☐ Texts, emails and letters with your landlord, printed if you can
- ☐ Names and phone numbers of any witnesses
- ☐ If you live in federally backed housing: anything showing that (voucher letter, MDHA papers)
- ☐ Pen, paper, phone charger, and child care plans if possible
Where to go
In Davidson County, eviction cases are heard in General Sessions Court, usually at the Justice A.A. Birch Building, 408 Second Avenue North. Your warrant lists the exact courtroom and time, so go by your papers. Allow time for security screening.
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.
Get help before your date
Contact Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee (las.org) as soon as you’re served. Can’t find a lawyer? We guarantee you one. See also what happens after a detainer warrant.
Sources
- Tenn. Code Ann. § 29-18-101 et seq.
- Davidson County General Sessions / Circuit Court Clerk: circuitclerk.nashville.gov
- Tennessee courts self-help: tncourts.gov
- Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee: las.org
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.
Have a notice on your door? Review your notice.
Your first review is free with an account.
The review reads your notice, tells you whether it’s a landlord notice or a court warrant (detainer warrant) and what kind of notice it is, and gives you your next steps.
Review your notice