Eviction Notices: By Type (10)
14-Day Notice to Quit | Non-Payment – Informs a tenant that they must vacate if they do not pay overdue rent within 14 days.
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14-Day Notice to Quit | Repeated Non-Payment – A lease termination notice served on a tenant who has missed rental payments twice in six months.
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7-Day Notice to Quit | Repeated Non-Payment (URLTA) – A notice to quit for tenants who have repeatedly missed a rental payment.
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14-Day Notice to Quit | Non-Compliance – After receiving this notice, a tenant has 14 days to cure a lease violation or quit the premises.
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14-Day Notice to Quit | Repeated Non-Compliance – Allows a landlord to end a lease early if the tenant has repeatedly violated its terms.
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7-Day Notice to Quit | Repeated Non-Compliance (URLTA) – Used to remove a tenant from a residence due to repeated violations of their lease terms.
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30-Day Notice to Quit | Non-Compliance – Requires a tenant to correct a lease violation or move out within 30 days (used for tenants in counties outside of the URLTA jurisdiction).
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30-Day Notice to Terminate | Month-to-Month Lease – Used to terminate a month-to-month lease.
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3-Day Notice to Quit | Violent or Illegal Activity – This notice requires tenants who have committed illegal acts to quit the premises within three days.
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Immediate Notice to Quit | Illegal Activity – Notifies a tenant that they may no longer occupy the dwelling due to involvement with illegal activity.
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Notice Requirements
How to Evict a Tenant in Tennessee
Step 1 – Draft a Notice to Quit
- 14-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Payment
- 7-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Payment
- 14-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Compliance
- 7-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Compliance
- 30-Day Notice to Quit for Non-Compliance
- 30-Day Notice to Terminate Month-to-Month Lease
- 3-Day Notice to Quit for Violent or Illegal Activity
- Immediate Notice to Quit for Illegal Activity
Step 2 – File and Serve Detainer Summons
The landlord must wait for the notice period to expire and then file a Detainer Summons (also known as a detainer warrant) with the General Sessions Court. The Summons notifies the tenant that a court date has been set and they must attend.
Once obtained, the Summons can be served using the following methods:
- The sheriff, officer, or process server delivers the Summons directly to the tenant. If in-person service has failed after three attempts, they will post the Summons on the premises and mail a copy to the tenant’s residence or last known address.
- The landlord files the original Summons and a copy certified by the court clerk with the sheriff (or constable), who will mail it to the tenant.
Service by mail is deemed complete once the tenant has acknowledged and returned the Summons to the sender.
Step 3 – Appear in Court
Step 4 – Judgment
Step 5 – Sheriff Removal
Court Forms + Resources
Forms
- Detainer Summons
- Signing: Judge, Clerk/Deputy Clerk, Process Server
- Writ of Restitution/Possession
- Signing: Clerk/Deputy Clerk, Process Server
Resources