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Get your security deposit back in Tennessee

Tennessee law holds landlords to strict deposit accounting rules under Tenn. Code § 66-28-301 — break them and they lose the right to keep your deposit.

Strict rules
accounting & itemization duties
Penalties
for non-compliance
$29
letter + certified mail, one-time
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What Tennessee law says

Deadline to return / itemizeinspection and itemization duties apply rather than one fixed refund deadline
StatuteTenn. Code § 66-28-301 — read the official text
Itemized deduction statementRequired if any portion is withheld
Exposure for wrongful withholdingA landlord who does not comply with the escrow, inspection and itemization requirements cannot lawfully retain the deposit; unclaimed deposits revert after 60 days from the landlord's notice.
Worth knowingMove-out inspection must occur within four days of vacancy. The URLTA applies in larger counties — counsel to confirm coverage.

This is general legal information about Tenn. Code § 66-28-301, not legal advice about your situation. Statutes contain conditions and exceptions, and legislatures amend them — always check the official text linked above.

What that can mean in dollars

Example: $1,500 deposit wrongfully withheld → recovery of the withheld amount.

Most landlords understand this math, which is why a letter that cites Tenn. Code § 66-28-301 and states the deadline they missed is often enough to get a check without going to court.

Calculate your own numbers →

How your Tennessee letter works

1. Answer a few questions

Your deposit amount, move-out date, landlord's address, and what happened. About 3 minutes.

2. We prepare the letter

A formal demand letter citing Tenn. Code § 66-28-301, the 30-day deadline, and the remedies the statute provides.

3. We mail it certified

Printed and sent by USPS Certified Mail with tracking — your proof of delivery if this ends up in small claims court.

Start my letter — $29

Tennessee deposit questions

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Tennessee?
Tennessee law works differently: instead of one fixed deadline, Tenn. Code § 66-28-301 imposes strict accounting, itemization, and handling duties — inspection and itemization duties apply rather than one fixed refund deadline. A landlord who breaks them loses the right to keep the deposit. This is general legal information — the statute contains conditions and exceptions.
What happens if my landlord misses the Tennessee deadline?
A landlord who does not comply with the escrow, inspection and itemization requirements cannot lawfully retain the deposit; unclaimed deposits revert after 60 days from the landlord's notice. A written demand letter that cites Tenn. Code § 66-28-301 puts the landlord on notice that you know the deadline has passed and what the statute allows you to pursue.
Do I need a lawyer to send a demand letter in Tennessee?
No. A demand letter is something any tenant can send on their own behalf. Our service prepares the letter from the facts you provide and the current text of Tenn. Code § 66-28-301, and mails it by USPS Certified Mail so you have proof of delivery. If your dispute is complex or high-value, talking to a licensed Tennessee attorney is a sensible next step — many take deposit cases because several statutes shift attorney's fees to the landlord.