Renters/ Homeowners

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Landlord-Tenant Problems

Below you will find a variety of resources and forms that provide helpful information on how to address landlord-tenant problems. You will also find details on how to seek assistance or aid from a lawyer, if necessary.

 

Am I eligible for Rental Relief?

Click the link below to see if you are eligible for rental relief from the Tennessee Department of Housing Authority or your county.   

Rental Relief Application 

 

 

Your Rights and Duties as a Renter (Booklets)

When renting property, it is important to know your rights and options before you move in, while you're living there, and when you move out.  During your tenancy, landlord-tenant disputes can be caused by many different issues including lease agreements, repairs, rent, eviction, and more. Knowing your rights will help you handle these issues more easily.

 

Know Your Legal Rights and Duties

In this pamphlet from Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee & the Cumberlands, you can find helpful information about the rights you have when you are renting property. You can reference this resource if you live in the following counties: Anderson, Blount, Bradley, Davidson, Hamilton, Knox, Madison, Maury, Montgomery, Rutherford, Sevier, Shelby, Sullivan, Sumner, Washington, Williamson and Wilson.

 

Know Your Rights and Duties as a Renter

For all Tennessee counties not listed above, you can reference the above pamphlet to learn more about rural renter rights.

 

 

Chat Bot:

Renter Defender             https://www.renterdefender.org/

Our Renter Defender bot follows the same question and answer procedure to identify the users' specific landlord/tenant issue(s) and it directs the users to the necessary resources.  Those resources may include: information about evictions, help paying utility bills, or a letter to the landlord asking for needed repairs.

 

 

Need assistance paying for your utilities?  

Click on the link below to learn about financial assistance that's available to low income households for their home energy costs.

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program

Get Help From Renter Defender

 

 

Videos:

The following videos from Legal Aid of East Tennessee provides tips on what tenants should do before moving into a new property. This information is available in both English and Spanish.

Renters’ Guide – 5 Things You Should Do BEFORE You Move In

Guía para Inquilinos - 5 Cosas Que Debe Hacer ANTES de Mudarse Adentro

 

 

Forms:

Standard Court Forms for all of Tennessee

At this link, you can find approved court forms for all counties within Tennessee.

 

 

Legal Advice:

TN Free Legal Answers

If you are in Tennessee, the website, Free Legal Answers,  allows you to ask a lawyer for help with a legal issue at no cost.  It is fast and easy, and all you need is a computer. This is a FREE service for people who cannot afford a lawyer. 

How it works: 

  • You will answer a few questions to see if you qualify for their service. If you qualify, you will have the option to create an account.
  • If you are eligible, you can ask their volunteer attorneys your non-criminal question.
  • Once your question receives a response, you will get an email. You will need to sign into the website to read your response and ask any additional questions.

 Visit https://tn.freelegalanswers.org/ to sign up.

 

 

Find Representation:

Statewide Directory

The Statewide Directory provides information regarding Legal Aid Attorneys and other agencies by county in Tennessee.

 

Still need assistance? Please speak to a librarian at your local library – they may have additional resources to assist you.

 Tenant's Request for Landlord to Make Repairs
 Request for Landlord to Make Repairs_0.pdf

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