By Randy Whetsell | Haus Realty & Management
Educational information for Clarksville and Montgomery County rental property owners
If you own or manage residential rental property in Clarksville, understanding Tennessee landlord-tenant law 2026 is essential to protecting your investment and serving tenants responsibly.
One of the most important transparency requirements comes from the Landlord Transparency Act, enacted through House Bill 1814 and Public Chapter 907. The law amended Tennessee Code Annotated § 66-28-302 and requires covered landlords to provide specific owner, management, and maintenance contact information in writing.
Because Clarksville is located in Montgomery County, a county covered by Tennessee’s Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, these requirements are particularly important for local landlords and property managers.
Important: This article is for general educational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Consult a Tennessee attorney about your lease forms, property, or specific legal situation.
What the Tennessee Landlord Transparency Act Requires
Public Chapter 907 requires the landlord, or a person authorized to enter into a rental agreement on the landlord’s behalf, to give the tenant certain information in writing at or before the commencement of the tenancy.
The disclosure may be included in the lease agreement or provided in another written document delivered before or when the tenancy begins.
For both the managing agent and the owner or authorized representative, the written disclosure must include:
- The person’s name
- Telephone number during business hours
- A 24-hour emergency telephone number, if different
- Office email address
- Maintenance email address, if different
- Address
The disclosure applies to two separate roles:
- The agent authorized to manage the premises
- An owner of the premises, or a person or agent authorized to act for the owner regarding service of process and receipt of notices and demands
For active lease agreement documentation, landlords should include the true name and address of the property owner or authorized management agent, along with the other required contact information. A generic company name, an outdated address, or an unmonitored email address may not provide the transparency the law requires.
The statute took effect January 1, 2025, and applies to rental agreements entered into on or after that date. Landlords should also review their procedures for amendments, renewals, ownership changes, and management transfers with qualified legal counsel.
Read the Tennessee General Assembly’s HB 1814 text.
Why This Matters for Clarksville Landlords
A tenant should not have to guess who owns the property, who manages it, or where to send a repair request or formal legal notice.
Clear written disclosures help you:
- Establish reliable communication from the beginning
- Reduce confusion when ownership or management changes
- Route emergency maintenance requests appropriately
- Identify the person authorized to receive notices and demands
- Create a stronger record of compliance
- Support a more professional landlord-tenant relationship
Transparency is also a practical risk-management tool. When contact information is incomplete or inaccurate, a tenant may send notices to the wrong person, emergency issues may be delayed, and disputes can become more difficult to resolve.
Keep the Information Current
The information required under TCA § 66-28-302 must be kept current. This responsibility extends to a successor landlord, owner, or manager.
Update your lease records and tenant communications when:
- A property changes ownership
- A management company takes over or ends its assignment
- Your office address changes
- Your maintenance provider changes
- Your emergency contact number changes
- Your maintenance email or tenant portal changes
A move-in disclosure should not become inaccurate six months later. Establish a process for reviewing contact information whenever there is a property sale, management transition, or operational change.
What Happens If a Landlord Does Not Provide the Required Information?
Tennessee law provides a specific process for a tenant who did not receive the required information in the lease or another written document.
Step 1: The Tenant May Request the Information
The tenant may submit a written notice requesting the owner, manager, and contact details required by the statute.
Landlords should treat this request seriously and respond in writing. Do not rely only on a phone call or informal conversation. Provide a complete, accurate disclosure and retain a copy of the response for your records.
Step 2: The Landlord Has 10 Days to Respond
If the requested information is not provided within 10 days after the tenant submits the written request, the tenant may bring a legal action requiring the landlord to provide it.
If a court determines that the landlord or the landlord’s agent failed to comply, the court must order the information to be provided and award the tenant reasonable costs and attorney’s fees.
Step 3: Noncompliance Can Affect Notice and Service
The statute also provides that a landlord or person who fails to comply becomes an agent of each person who is a landlord for purposes of:
- Accepting service of process
- Receiving notices and demands
- Providing receipts for notices and demands
This does not mean that every dispute will result in a lawsuit. It does mean that incomplete disclosure can create avoidable procedural complications.
A Practical Compliance Checklist
Clarksville landlords can use the following checklist when preparing a new lease or reviewing an active rental file:
Before the tenancy begins
- Confirm the owner’s true legal name
- Confirm the owner’s address
- Identify the authorized managing agent
- Provide the managing agent’s name and address
- Include business-hours telephone numbers
- Include a 24-hour emergency number when different
- Provide office email addresses
- Provide maintenance email addresses when different
- Identify the person authorized to receive notices and service of process
- Deliver the information in writing
- Retain proof that the disclosure was delivered
During the tenancy
- Keep all contact information accurate
- Notify tenants in writing when important information changes
- Monitor maintenance email accounts and tenant portals
- Maintain a clear emergency response procedure
- Preserve copies of tenant requests and management responses
- Review records after a sale or management transition
Related 2026 Update: Tennessee Vacation Lodging Supervision
Tennessee Senate Bill 1786, enacted as Public Chapter 1095, provides a related update for vacation lodging services.
The law exempts certain licensed real estate brokers and affiliate brokers from additional vacation lodging service licensure and education requirements. However, the exemption does not remove professional oversight.
Affiliate brokers and brokers acting as designated agents for vacation lodging service firms operate under the direct supervision of the firm’s principal broker, in compliance with Tennessee Senate Bill 1786.
This is especially relevant for professionals managing short-term rentals, vacation lodging, or properties marketed for stays of 14 days or less. Property owners should confirm that their management structure, licensing, advertising, and supervision procedures comply with current Tennessee requirements.
The Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance summary of 2026 regulatory changes identifies the vacation lodging services licensure exemption and principal-broker supervision requirement.
How Professional Property Management Can Help
Landlord transparency compliance is only one part of managing a rental property. You also need dependable systems for:
- Tenant screening
- Lease preparation
- Rent collection
- Maintenance coordination
- Inspections
- Security deposit documentation
- Emergency response
- Lease renewals
- Owner reporting
- Regulatory updates
Haus Realty & Management provides property management services for owners who want experienced support and more consistent communication. Our team serves Clarksville, Fort Campbell, Middle Tennessee, Southern Kentucky, Northwest Florida, and South Alabama.
Learn more about Haus property management services or contact Haus Realty & Management to discuss your rental property needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Tennessee law require landlords to provide owner and manager contact information in writing?
Yes. Under TCA § 66-28-302, covered landlords must provide specified contact information in writing at or before the beginning of the tenancy.
What information must a Clarksville landlord provide?
The landlord must provide the name, business-hours telephone number, 24-hour emergency number if different, office email, maintenance email if different, and address for the managing agent and the owner or authorized representative.
Can the information be provided outside the lease?
Yes. The information may be included in the lease or delivered in another written document at or before the commencement of the tenancy.
What can a tenant do if the information is missing?
The tenant may submit a written request. If the landlord does not provide the information within 10 days, the tenant may bring an action to require disclosure. A court may order disclosure and award reasonable costs and attorney’s fees if the landlord failed to comply.
Does this article provide legal advice?
No. Tennessee landlord-tenant law can depend on the county, lease language, property type, and specific facts. Speak with a qualified Tennessee attorney before relying on this information for a legal decision.
Protect Your Clarksville Rental Investment
Clear owner disclosures, accurate management records, and reliable maintenance communication are practical foundations of responsible rental management.
Review your active lease documentation now. Confirm that the true name and address of the property owner or authorized management agent are included, verify that emergency and maintenance contacts work, and update your forms when circumstances change.
If you want dedicated help managing a Clarksville rental property, please contact Haus Realty & Management.
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