Memphis, TN Local Law
Your complete guide to renter protections in Memphis, TN. Learn about local ordinances, rent control status, security deposit rules, and how city law works alongside Tennessee state protections.
No
Rent Control
No set deadline
Days to Return Deposit
No statewide limit
Max Deposit
3
Local Protections
Current rent regulation status
No Local Rent Control
Memphis does not have local rent control. Tennessee state law governs rent increase practices.
Without local rent control, landlords in Memphis may raise rent with proper written notice as required by Tennessee law. There is no cap on the amount of increase, but it must not be retaliatory or discriminatory.
Memphis-specific laws and ordinances
Memphis and Shelby County housing code enforcement
Blight remediation programs for substandard housing
Tennessee's landlord-tenant act applies here — Shelby County is one of the 17 counties it covers (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-102(a))
Local ordinances work alongside Tennessee state law. Where local protections are stronger, the local rule typically applies. View full Tennessee state protections.
Tennessee's landlord-tenant act applies in Memphis — Shelby County is one of the 17 counties it covers (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-102(a))
Max Security Deposit
No statewide limit
Deposit Return Deadline
No fixed statutory deadlineTenn. Code § 66-28-301, in counties covered by the landlord-tenant act: the landlord sends notice of any refund to the tenant's last known address and may keep it only if the tenant does not respond within 60 days
Entry Notice Required
Consent required
Governing Statute
Tennessee Code
Something else? Contact our team
No, Memphis does not currently have local rent control. Tennessee state law governs rent increase rules. Landlords must typically provide proper written notice before raising rent.
Tennessee does not set a statutory cap on security deposits. Tennessee also sets no fixed statutory deadline to return one.
Memphis tenants benefit from several protections: Memphis and Shelby County housing code enforcement; Blight remediation programs for substandard housing; Tennessee's landlord-tenant act applies here — Shelby County is one of the 17 counties it covers (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-102(a)). These are in addition to Tennessee state law.
You can contact the Memphis local housing authority or code enforcement department to file complaints about habitability issues, discrimination, or landlord violations. Visit your local housing authority's website for details. You can also file with the Tennessee attorney general's office for state-level violations.
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