Challenging Illegal Fees on Your Rent Bill in Tennessee

Unexpected fees on a rent bill can be stressful for any tenant in Tennessee. Knowing your rights under state law can help you spot and challenge any illegal charges added to your rent. This guide gives renters practical steps, official resources, and key legal definitions for dealing with improper fees confidently and effectively in Tennessee.

What Fees Can (and Cannot) Be Charged in Tennessee?

In Tennessee, landlords must follow specific rules for charging fees on your rent bill. The Tennessee Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA) outlines what fees can be legally included. Some common legal fees are late fees (if stated in the lease), returned check fees, and reasonable application fees.

• Late fees: Must be reasonable, written in the lease, and cannot exceed 10% of the amount past due.
• Returned check fees: Up to $30.
  
• Application fees: Are not capped by statute, but must be disclosed and clearly stated.
• Security deposits: Must be held in a separate account and returned according to the law after move-out.

Any other charges not expressly allowed by law or not in your lease may be considered illegal. Examples include unlisted maintenance fees, illegal 'processing' fees, or penalties not stated in your signed agreement.

How to Identify an Illegal Fee

Carefully review your rent bill and signed lease agreement. Illegal or improper fees may include:

• Charges not listed in your lease or rental contract
• Fees that exceed legal limits (e.g., high late fees)
• New or unexplained one-time charges
• Extra monthly add-ons that were not agreed to when you signed your lease

Steps to Challenge Illegal Fees in Tennessee

If you believe your rent bill contains illegal or unfair charges, it’s important to act promptly and follow these steps:

1. Review Your Lease and Document the Fees

• Find your signed lease agreement and check if the questioned fee is mentioned.
• Keep copies of your rent bill, correspondence, or payment records as evidence.

2. Communicate with Your Landlord in Writing

• Send a written letter or email to your landlord specifying the fee you are disputing and the reasons you believe it is not legal or not agreed upon.
• Request prompt removal of the fee from your rent bill, and ask for a corrected invoice.

3. File a Formal Complaint or Take Legal Action

• If the landlord refuses to remove the unlawful charge, tenants in Tennessee may file a complaint with local consumer protection offices or seek legal assistance.
• For unresolved disputes, you can file a case in General Sessions Court (handles landlord-tenant matters).

4. Use Official Forms

• Notice of Dispute (No official state form number): Draft a written letter to your landlord clearly stating the dispute, the fee in question, dates involved, and requested resolution. While Tennessee does not provide a standard form, you should keep a copy and, if possible, send by certified mail.
  Example: A renter receives a $150 "processing fee" never mentioned in the lease. The renter sends a letter referencing the lease, details of the wrongful fee, and a request for its removal.
• General Sessions Civil Warrant (Form GS-1): If the landlord will not adjust or remove illegal charges, and you seek damages or reimbursement, file in your county’s General Sessions Court using their General Sessions Civil Warrant form.
  This is commonly used when a renter needs to recover funds or challenge unlawful fees formally.

What Does Tennessee Law Say?

The Tennessee Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA) governs rental rules in most Tennessee cities and counties with over 75,000 residents.¹ For many renters, this legislation outlines:

• Which fees are legal and reasonable
• Required lease disclosures
• Your right to dispute improper charges through notice and court

Keep all communications in writing. Good records give you stronger evidence if you need to go to court.

If you’re outside of a URLTA area, common law principles and your lease terms generally apply—so it’s still wise to contest fees not mentioned in your agreement or prohibited by law.

FAQ: Renters’ Rights for Challenging Fees in Tennessee

1. What if my landlord won’t remove an illegal fee?
   If your landlord refuses to remove an unlawful charge after you dispute it in writing, you may file a complaint with local consumer protection offices or take your case to General Sessions Court in your county.
2. Are late fees in Tennessee capped by law?
   Yes. Late fees cannot exceed 10% of the amount past due, and the lease must specify any late fee in advance.
3. Can I withhold rent because of illegal fees?
   No. You should not withhold your full rent payment; instead, pay undisputed rent amounts and dispute the illegal fee separately, in writing.
4. What if I live outside a URLTA city or county?
   Many rental rights under URLTA only apply in counties with over 75,000 residents, but lease agreements and general consumer protection laws still provide some protection statewide.
5. How do I get legal help with landlord disputes in Tennessee?
   You can contact Tennessee Legal Services or the local county bar association for free or low-cost legal advice. See resources listed below for contact details.

Key Takeaways for Renters

• Always review your rent bill and lease for any new or unexplained fees.
• Dispute improper fees in writing and keep all records.
• If needed, file a complaint with the court or seek legal assistance to challenge illegal fees.

Knowing your rights and following a clear dispute process helps ensure you are not unfairly charged and stay protected under Tennessee’s rental laws.

Need Help? Resources for Renters in Tennessee

• Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance – Renters Resources (official state guidance on leasing issues)
• Tennessee General Sessions Court (where most rent disputes are resolved)
• Tennessee Rent Relief Program (assistance with payments and disputes)
• Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands (free legal advice for qualifying renters)

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¹ Tennessee Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (Title 66, Chapter 28, Tennessee Code Annotated)
² Tennessee General Sessions Court Civil Warrant Form
³ Tennessee Department of Commerce & Insurance – Renters Section

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