Tennessee’s rental housing sector is changing, and landlords now face new rules designed to make communication with tenants clearer. House Bill 1814 (HB 1814), the Landlord Transparency Law, updates Tennessee landlord-tenant laws and requires landlords and property management companies to provide tenants with easy access to contact information before signing a written lease agreement. Landlords must also follow the federal Fair Housing Act and other fair housing laws.
The goal is simple: Tenants know who to reach for ownership, management, or necessary repairs; and landlords stay accountable, avoiding fines or legal issues. HB 1814 also builds on existing disclosure laws, keeping requirements consistent while improving trust in rental relationships.
At Platinum Realty & Management, we guide Tennessee landlords through changes like HB 1814, helping them stay compliant and maintain strong tenant relationships. Read on to learn what the law requires, why it matters, and how to stay compliant.
Key Takeaways
- HB 1814 requires landlords under the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act to disclose owner, property manager, and maintenance contacts before a lease agreement is signed.
- The law strengthens tenant rights by ensuring clear contact details for repairs and accountability under the Tenant Act.
- To comply, landlords must update disclosures, inform tenants of changes, and maintain accurate records.
- Noncompliance can suspend eviction rights and harm standing in Tennessee’s rental market.
What Is Tennessee HB 1814?
Passed in 2024, HB 1814 applies to counties with over 75,000 residents under the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), sometimes referred to as the Uniform Residential Landlord Code. The law ensures tenants know exactly who owns or manages their rental unit and who to contact for repairs.
Rapid population growth in cities like Clarksville has increased rental demand, highlighting the need for clear landlord-tenant communication. HB 1814 requires landlords to provide full contact information before a lease is signed. This strengthens tenant protections and sets clear expectations for landlords. These requirements align closely with the Tennessee Landlord Tenant Act, which already governs much of the state’s rental housing.
The law amends the Tennessee Code, reinforcing obligations that protect both landlords and tenants.
Why Was the Landlord Transparency Law Introduced?
HB 1814 addresses tenant frustrations and regulatory challenges. Renters often struggled to reach absentee landlords, and officials found it hard to enforce codes on neglected properties. By mandating disclosure, the law builds trust, speeds dispute resolution, and promotes safer, stable neighborhoods.
Lawmakers highlighted Memphis’s crisis of “problem properties,” where tenants endured unsafe conditions without a clear way to demand remedies. With full disclosure required, both Tennessee tenants and local governments gain better tools to hold landlords accountable.
Key Requirements for Landlords Under HB 1814
Landlords must share certain information in writing before a lease agreement is signed, including security deposit amounts and security deposit location.
Mandatory Disclosure
Property Owner
- Full name
- Mailing address (or that of an authorized representative)
Rental Manager/Agent
- Name
- Phone number
- 24-hour emergency contact
- Office email
Maintenance Contact
- Phone number
- Tenant communication portal (if available)
Timing and Updates
Landlords must provide details before the lease begins. Any changes must be communicated in writing, including lease termination or renewals. Local authorities may also require the filing of disclosure records.
Documentation in Leases
All required information, including deposit details, must appear in the written lease or official tenant communications. This prevents disputes, addresses lease violations, and reinforces tenant rights under the Tenant Act.
Steps to Comply with Tennessee HB 1814
Compliance Process
- Update rental agreements to include contact details and maintenance procedures.
- Post contact details in common areas for multi-unit properties.
- Inform renters promptly of any changes.
- Maintain accurate records for inspections or audits.
- Train staff on compliance procedures.
Ongoing Obligations
Landlords must ensure all details are accurate throughout the lease term. Tenant requests for disclosure updates must be answered within 10 days, or the issue may result in a court order.
Additionally, proactive steps like regular audits and providing appropriate notice before policy updates keep landlords compliant and trusted.
Health, Safety, and Maintenance Obligations
Landlords must supply essential services such as heat, water, and electricity, while also following health and safety regulations and health and safety codes. Clear landlord responsibilities include routine rental property upkeep and ongoing maintenance responsibilities under the Tennessee Code.
These standards protect tenants, guarantee a habitable living environment, and ensure properties meet local building requirements. Failure to provide necessary repairs may result in penalties or tenant complaints.
Penalties for Non-Compliance
Courts may impose fines, damages, or legal fees if landlords fail to comply. Noncompliance can also delay a landlord’s right to evict tenants or pursue the legal eviction process until disclosures are corrected. Attempting self-help eviction practices, such as locking tenants out without proper notice, is strictly prohibited.
Repeated violations can escalate into lawsuits, reputational damage, and weakened credibility. Tenants may even gain leverage in disputes, making it harder to enforce overdue rent amount claims or deduct unpaid rent from deposits after a move-out inspection.
Courts may also suspend rights under the Uniform Residential Landlord framework until compliance is restored.
Prospective Tenants and Fair Housing
When screening prospective tenants, landlords in Tennessee must follow the Tennessee state law, including protections for familial status under the Fair Housing Act. These rules prevent discrimination and ensure tenant protections across the rental market.
Tenant Obligations & Rent Responsibilities
Tenants must pay rent on time and follow lease terms. If a tenant violates conditions, landlords can pursue enforcement through legal remedies.
Failure to make timely rent payments may result in late fees. If a tenant fails to address overdue balances, landlords may begin the necessary eviction steps with prior notice and compliance with eviction procedures.
Move-Out and Dispute Handling
At the end of tenancy, landlords may deduct overdue rent or damages from the deposit after a move-out inspection. Deductions must be documented, and tenants should receive reasonable notice and provide reasonable notice for disputes.
Conflicts often arise over security deposit amounts. Tenants must receive appropriate notice before deductions, and both parties are expected to resolve issues within a reasonable timeframe.
How Tennessee HB 1814 Affects Tenants
For Tennessee tenants, HB 1814 strengthens protections by requiring landlords to disclose key contact details. They gain direct access to landlords or property managers, making it easier to request necessary repairs and hold owners accountable.
The law also improves community safety by reducing neglected properties and ensuring property owners comply with landlord responsibilities and disclosure requirements under the Tennessee Code.
Protect Your Properties and Tenants with Expert Guidance
HB 1814 ushers in transparency and accountability in Tennessee’s rental market. Compliance protects landlords from fines, legal disputes, and reputational risks while fostering trust with tenants. By updating leases, training staff, and keeping accurate records, landlords can avoid legal headaches.
Platinum Realty & Management provides expert guidance to help Tennessee landlords stay compliant with the Tennessee Code and the Tenant Act, keeping both properties and tenants secure. Contact us today for a free consultation!
FAQs
1. What is Tennessee HB 1814?
HB 1814, passed in 2024, requires landlords in counties with populations over 75,000 to provide tenants with full contact information for the property owner, rental manager, and maintenance services before a lease agreement is signed. Its goal is to improve transparency, accountability, and tenant rights under Tennessee law.
2. What information must landlords disclose under HB 1814?
Landlords must provide the following:
- Property owner’s full name and mailing address (or that of an authorized representative)
- Property management company's name, phone number, 24-hour emergency contact, and office email
- Maintenance contact’s phone number, email, or tenant communication portal
3. How can landlords comply with HB 1814?
Steps include updating rental agreements, posting contact details, informing renters of changes, maintaining accurate records, and training staff.
4. What happens if a landlord does not comply?
Noncompliance can result in fines, legal fees, suspension of eviction lawsuits, disruption of eviction proceedings, or reputational harm.
