30 days to return the deposit; cap no statutory cap.
The landlord must inspect, itemize deductions, and notify the tenant; the tenant must claim the deposit. After 60 days unclaimed, the landlord may keep it. There is no statewide deposit cap.
What this means for you: You must actively claim your deposit in Tennessee — don't wait passively.
Your next step: Provide a forwarding address and claim the deposit in writing promptly.
Source: Tenn. Code § 66-28-301. Reviewed 2026-06-16 (needs local verification).
More Tennessee rights: Tennessee eviction · Tennessee repairs · Tennessee entry notice · Tennessee rent increase.
Security deposit in nearby states: Kentucky (60 days to return the deposit; cap no statutory cap) · Virginia (45 days to return the deposit; cap 2 months' rent) · North Carolina (30 days to return the deposit; cap 2 months' rent) · Georgia (30 days to return the deposit; cap no statutory cap) · Alabama (60 days to return the deposit; cap 1 month's rent) · Mississippi (45 days to return the deposit; cap no statutory cap) · Arkansas (60 days to return the deposit; cap 2 months' rent) · Missouri (30 days to return the deposit; cap 2 months' rent).
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by locality; consult a licensed attorney or your local housing authority.
Updated July 2026