If you are a renter in Decherd, you have rights and responsibilities that you may not be aware of. This will help guide you if you believe your rights are being violated.
Even if you find the seemingly perfect place to rent, rental situations can sometimes become less than ideal. Luckily, you have many rights as a tenant that protect you when things with your landlord take a bad turn.
To protect your rights, you should always have a lease agreement. You should know what your lease says. It is legally binding. If you don’t have a lease, you should have a witness to anything you and your landlord agree upon. Put everything in writing. Take photographs and videos. Save emails, texts, letters, and voicemails. Write a calendar of events. Do not stop paying rent. It would likely be against the lease or the law. Keep your rent receipts as proof you paid.
It is illegal for a landlord to retaliate against a tenant who files a complaint, calls Building Codes, or takes legal action. Changing locks, shutting off utilities, showing up often, or inappropriately raising rent can be retaliation.
Key Tenant Rights
Habitable Living Conditions: Landlords must provide a rental unit that is safe and meets basic health and safety standards, including working plumbing, electricity, and heating.
Protection from Unlawful Eviction: Landlords cannot use "self-help" eviction tactics, such as changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities, even if the tenant is behind on rent. They must follow the legal eviction process through the court system.
Privacy and Proper Notice Before Entry: Except in emergencies, landlords must provide at least 24 hours' notice before entering a rental unit for non-emergency reasons like inspections or repairs.
Security Deposit Return: Landlords must return the security deposit, or an itemized list of deductions for damages beyond normal wear and tear, within 30 days after the tenant moves out.
Protection Against Retaliation and Discrimination: Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants for exercising their legal rights (e.g., reporting code violations or requesting repairs). Discrimination based on protected classes like race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, or disability is prohibited by law.
Key Tenant Responsibilities
Pay Rent on Time: Rent is due on the date specified in the lease, with a five-day grace period before late fees can be applied.
Keep the Property Clean and Safe: Tenants must maintain the cleanliness and safety of their unit and responsibly dispose of garbage.
Follow the Lease Agreement: Tenants are responsible for adhering to all terms and conditions outlined in the lease, as long as they comply with state law.
Promptly Report Maintenance Issues: Tenants should report any needed repairs or maintenance problems to the landlord in writing as soon as possible.
Specific violations of Decherd City Code – Title 13, Property Maintenance Regulations can be viewed here.
If you believe your rights have been or are being violated, you should:
Document everything in writing, including photos, videos, emails, and a calendar of events.
Report unhabitable living conditions to the Decherd Codes Enforcement Officer. (Click here for access to the Tenant Complaint Form)
Important! Use the complaint form ONLY if you have already contacted your landlord and either they have not resolved your issue or not resolved the issue to your satisfaction.
Or seek legal assistance from organizations like:
The Legal Aid Society (Click here to the LAS website)
Office Location: 281 Industrial Blvd. Tullahoma, TN 37388
Call 931-455-7000 or 800-238-1443 before you come in. You will not be able to meet with a lawyer without an appointment. Open from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.
Tennessee Human Rights Commission for discrimination issues. (Click here to their to website)