Tennessee tenant screening laws

No Tennessee section on application or screening fees was identified or read. The Code provisions governing this topic were not read, so this page states no limit (Tenn. Code Ann. title 66, chapter 28).

Use lawful criteria tied to the actual rental and review the information behind a screening recommendation. Tenant background reports can contain errors or incomplete records, and federal consumer-report obligations apply when a report affects a rental decision. Confirm the applicable state, local and housing-program requirements before choosing what to request or consider (CFPB: rental denial and screening reports; FTC: tenant background checks and rights).

• Match identifying information to the applicant and review dates, duplicate records and how court cases ended. An eviction filing is not the same as a completed eviction. If the applicant identifies an error, keep the supporting records and direct the report dispute to the reporting company. Review any corrected information with the same lawful criteria used for other applications rather than treating a score or irregular history as a complete explanation (FTC: tenant background checks and rights).
• A report-based denial or less favorable terms, such as higher rent or deposit or a cosigner requirement, requires an adverse-action notice. Include the reporting company's name, address and phone number, explain that it did not make the decision and cannot explain your reasons, and state the rights to dispute inaccurate information and request a free report from that company within sixty days of the notice. Review additional duties for investigative reports or use of a credit score (CFPB: rental denial and screening reports; FTC: landlord consumer-report guidance).
• Keep a clear record of the criteria, authorization, report date, facts reviewed, applicant communications and any required notice. Restrict access to sensitive application information and follow applicable preservation duties before securely disposing of it. Use the separate fair-housing guidance when an accommodation or other protected issue arises; a provider's report is not a substitute for that review (FTC: tenant background checks and rights; FTC: landlord consumer-report guidance).See Fair housing on the Tennessee page

The Tennessee Attorney General identifies denial of housing, worse rental terms, harassment, and refusal of a disability accommodation or modification as potential violations of state housing discrimination law. Its housing guidance also identifies refusal to rent because of a service or emotional support animal as a potential violation. Evaluate the applicable accommodation requirements rather than treating an assistance animal as an ordinary pet (Tennessee Attorney General: housing discrimination guidance).

• A 2005 act (Pub. Ch. 215) requires owners leasing units in buildings of three or more stories to give physically disabled persons priority for units on the first two floors when the disability prevents reasonable access to higher floors. The section was not read and may have been amended since (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-7-104; 2005 Tenn. Pub. Acts ch. 215 (bill caption)).
• The Civil Rights Enforcement Division accepts state discrimination complaints. Its published process gives 180 days from the alleged discriminatory act to file an agency complaint. It separately describes a private lawsuit deadline of one year after the discriminatory practice ceases, without requiring an agency complaint first. Filing with the division does not extend that private lawsuit deadline. These are distinct routes and deadlines (Tennessee Attorney General: complaint process).