Thinking about leasing a home in Nolensville or renting yours out for a year or more? The rules that protect you are clear, but they are not always obvious when you start a lease. You want a smooth, fair experience with no surprises. This guide explains how Tennessee’s Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA) works in Nolensville, plus the local steps that keep you compliant from day one. Let’s dive in.
What URLTA means in Nolensville
Does URLTA apply here?
Yes. URLTA applies in counties with more than 75,000 residents based on the 2010 census, which includes Williamson County and Nolensville. That means most long‑term residential leases in town are governed by URLTA’s rules on deposits, repairs, privacy, and notices. You can confirm the statute’s applicability in Tennessee Code § 66‑28‑102, which explains where the law applies in Nolensville.
Short‑term vs long‑term rentals
Long‑term residential leases fall under URLTA. Short‑term rentals involve different local obligations, including a town Hotel/Motel Occupancy Tax. If you are considering short‑term hosting, review the Nolensville Hotel/Motel tax page. For year‑long or month‑to‑month housing, keep your focus on URLTA.
Your key rights and duties
Landlord maintenance and habitability
Landlords must keep rentals in a fit and habitable condition, address health and safety issues, and maintain common areas. These duties track local building and housing codes. See URLTA’s habitability section for what “fit and habitable” means under state law and when repairs must be made under § 66‑28‑304.
Security deposits: rules that matter
Tennessee does not set a statewide cap on deposit amounts, but it does require strict handling. Landlords must keep deposits in a separate account, disclose where the account is held, offer a move‑out inspection, and return funds or itemize deductions within set timelines. Learn the core security deposit rules in § 66‑28‑301.
Entry and showing notice
Landlords may enter for repairs, inspections, or showings, but cannot abuse the right of access. In the final 30 days of a lease, showings require lease authorization and at least 24 hours’ notice. Emergencies are treated differently. Review the rules on landlord entry in § 66‑28‑403.
Notices, nonpayment, and termination timelines
URLTA sets standard notice periods and cure rights. Common timelines include 14 days to cure many issues, shorter periods for repeat breaches, 30 days to end a month‑to‑month lease, 10 days for week‑to‑week, and 3 days for dangerous conduct. Because exact steps depend on the reason for termination, start with the statutory notice periods and follow your lease language.
Tenant responsibilities and remedies
Tenants must keep the home reasonably clean, dispose of waste properly, avoid damage, and follow health and building codes. If a landlord fails a duty, URLTA outlines potential remedies and procedures. You can read the core tenant duties in § 66‑28‑401.
Owner disclosures, retaliation, and privacy
At or before move‑in, landlords must disclose who owns and manages the property and where to send notices. See § 66‑28‑302. URLTA also prohibits retaliatory conduct and protects your right to report problems without harassment. Local agencies summarize these protections on resources like this URLTA overview page.
Local compliance in Nolensville
Building codes, permits, and occupancy
Nolensville enforces building and property maintenance standards and issues permits and Certificates of Occupancy. This matters if you renovate, convert space, or bring a unit back online. For inspections and permits, start with the Nolensville Building Codes Department.
Town vs county jurisdiction
Some addresses sit inside Nolensville’s town limits, others in unincorporated Williamson County. Rules and enforcement can differ slightly by jurisdiction. If you are unsure, confirm which office administers permits for your property before listing or move‑in.
Rental registration
As of the latest town pages, Nolensville does not show a town‑wide long‑term rental registration program. That can change. The safest step is to verify current requirements with the Building Codes Department before you sign or renew a lease.
Checklists you can use
Landlords: do these before move‑in
- Provide a written lease and disclose your or your agent’s contact information per § 66‑28‑302.
- Maintain habitability and document repairs for health and safety issues under § 66‑28‑304.
- Handle deposits correctly: separate account, disclosed location, move‑out inspection, and timely accounting per § 66‑28‑301.
- Install and test required safety devices. Tennessee’s smoke alarm rules apply, and carbon monoxide alarms are required in specified situations under Tenn. Code Ann. § 68‑120‑112.
- Pull permits as needed and confirm Certificate of Occupancy with the Nolensville Building Codes Department before re‑leasing a renovated unit.
- For short‑term hosting, review the Hotel/Motel tax page. For long‑term leases, follow URLTA.
Tenants: set yourself up for success
- Get a signed lease and the landlord or manager’s contact information at move‑in.
- Walk the unit with a checklist, note pre‑existing issues, and take timestamped photos.
- If a repair affects health or safety, notify the landlord in writing and keep copies.
- Test smoke alarms on day one. Request installation or replacement in writing if anything is missing or not working.
Quick timelines at a glance
- Noncompliance you can fix: often 14 days to cure after written notice.
- Repeat noncompliance: shorter cure periods can apply.
- Month‑to‑month termination: 30 days’ written notice.
- Week‑to‑week termination: 10 days’ written notice.
- Serious danger or violence: as little as 3 days’ notice in defined cases.
When in doubt, check your lease and the statute sections linked above. Exact timing depends on the reason for notice and your rental agreement.
Ready to rent out your Nolensville home or lease with confidence? If you want a neighborhood‑savvy partner who understands local rules and market dynamics, connect with Romy Morgan for practical guidance and next steps.
FAQs
Does URLTA govern long‑term leases in Nolensville?
- Yes, Nolensville sits in Williamson County, which meets the population threshold in the Tennessee statute, so URLTA applies to most long‑term residential leases.
Is there a cap on Tennessee security deposits?
- No statewide cap under URLTA, but deposits must be held, disclosed, inspected, and returned according to statutory procedures.
How much notice is required to end a month‑to‑month lease?
- URLTA requires 30 days’ written notice for month‑to‑month tenancies.
Can a landlord enter without notice to show the home?
- Showings in the final 30 days require lease authorization and at least 24 hours’ notice, except for limited emergencies.
Are smoke and carbon monoxide alarms required in rentals?
- Yes, smoke alarms are required and CO alarms apply in specified circumstances, with shared responsibilities for maintenance and notification.
Where do I confirm permits or occupancy questions in Nolensville?
- Contact the Nolensville Building Codes Department to verify permits, inspections, and Certificates of Occupancy for your address.
