Tennessee rent late fee law
What your landlord is allowed to charge when rent is late, how soon they can charge it, and what to do about a fee the law doesn't allow.
Maximum late fee
10% of past-due rent (larger counties)
Grace period
5 days (covered counties)
The cap
Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d), In counties with more than 75,000 residents (including the Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga metros), any charge for late rent — however the lease describes it — may not exceed 10% of the amount of rent past due. In Tennessee's smaller counties, this statute does not apply and only the lease and general contract law govern.
When the fee can start
A five-day grace period runs from the day rent is due, with the due date itself counting as day one. If the last day of the grace period falls on a Sunday or legal holiday and the tenant pays the next business day, no fee may be charged at all. The cap and grace period apply regardless of what the lease says; whether any fee may be charged remains a matter of the rental agreement.
If you've been charged an illegal fee
The statute provides no fine or damages multiplier: a fee exceeding 10%, or one charged inside the grace period, is unlawful and unenforceable to that extent. Demand a refund, and raise the statute if the landlord tries to collect.
Charged a fee the law doesn't allow?
Answer a few questions and get a formal demand letter citing Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d) and exactly which rule your landlord broke — free to generate and download. We can also send it by USPS Certified Mail for you, with the delivery record that holds up in court.
Dispute my late feeDid your landlord also keep your security deposit?
Every state sets a deadline for returning your security deposit, with real penalties for landlords who miss it. See what Tennessee law requires and what your landlord may owe you.
Tennessee deposit lawCommon questions
- Is there a limit on late fees for rent in Tennessee?
- Yes. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d), In counties with more than 75,000 residents (including the Memphis, Nashville, Knoxville, and Chattanooga metros), any charge for late rent — however the lease describes it — may not exceed 10% of the amount of rent past due. In Tennessee's smaller counties, this statute does not apply and only the lease and general contract law govern.
- Can my landlord charge a late fee the day rent is due in Tennessee?
- No. A five-day grace period runs from the day rent is due, with the due date itself counting as day one. If the last day of the grace period falls on a Sunday or legal holiday and the tenant pays the next business day, no fee may be charged at all.
- What can I do if my landlord charged an illegal late fee in Tennessee?
- The statute provides no fine or damages multiplier: a fee exceeding 10%, or one charged inside the grace period, is unlawful and unenforceable to that extent. Demand a refund, and raise the statute if the landlord tries to collect.
Statute text verified against the published source on August 6, 2026. Laws change — confirm the current text before relying on it. This page is general information, not legal advice.