State Specific Question About: TENNESSEE (TN)

I am a landlord but am writing as a tenant. Both the husband and wife landlord team seem to be having a difficult time respecting my privacy and make drop-in appointments without my input. My new lease has the following language around lanalord entry:

PERMISSION TO SHOW PROPERTY: LESSEE agreed to permit LESSOR to enter said premises to show the property to prospective tenants or purchasers at any resonable times within thirthy (30) days from the termination of this Lease.

My question: should I ask that language is added around entry for repairs, say 48 hours required with tenant permission if not present?

Consider TN state law. Is a tenant ENTITLED to advance notice of LL entry? And, do your courts allow waiver of such an entitlement?

Then, you might try to negotiate with the LL for say, 24 or 48 hour notice. Show them any relevant TN law.

Excellent - thank you!

Access by Landlord

The tenant shall not unreasonably

withhold consent to the landlord to

enter the dwelling in order to inspect

the premises, make necessary or

agreed repair, supply services or

exhibit the dwelling to prospective

tenants. The landlord shall not abuse

the right of access or use it to harass

the tenant. The landlord may enter

the dwelling without consent in the

event of an emergency defined as a

sudden, generally unexpected occurrence

or set of circumstances

Evidently, TN does not require advance notice for LL entry. But it does require LL not to abuse the right of access.

You need to work out a solution with your LL. You each have leverage.

To: Virden

"I've been here less than a week and they are already driving me crazy with this drop-in mentality, yet, I want to be reasonable"

Why are they coming into the unit so often? Why did you move into a unit that was not 100% rent-ready? More details please.

Last time I checked I didn't need my tenants permission to enter, nor do I have to wait till they are home. I don't schedule around their schedule either, if they can/can't be there, doesn't matter to me. I just have to give them 24 hours notice (due to state law)

Sorry - a man's home is his castle.

I don't expect the bank holding my mortgage to come into my home and invade my privacy - or to come in and "look around" to see how I live - or how I'm taking care of the property. In fact, I do not personally know any landlord who does this. However, at our next landlord meeting I will ask this question of our members.

So I take that same attitude with my tenants. They are paying rent to live in my property. Unless there is an emergency, or a repair reported to me, I do not ever go in to "look around" on the pretext of checking something. And unless there is a legitimate reason to enter a tenant's domicile, I don't venture there. I usually insist that the tenant make arrangements and be present for the repair person.

I never enter to make a repair or to send a repairman unless I have the full cooperation of the tenant and either the tenant is present, or if not available, I assure the tenant that I will accompany the workman so the workman will not be alone. My tenants appreciate that.

I explain at lease signing time that I do not enter premises unless there is an emergency.

The last paragraph of my lease contains the following clause.

"In conclusion, I have three basic rules: 1. Pay the rent (and utilities) on time.

2. Take good care of my property.

3. Be a good neighbor and team player."

CTLL is right about the castle.

But, that right is regulated by state law, which in TN does not require advance notice for LL entry. But it does require LL not to abuse the right of access.

Tenant needs to work this out with the LL to be consistent with both provisions of state law. As I suggested before, show the LL the relevant law and suggest that you both be flexible, perhaps to the extent of 24 hour notice.