If you own, rent, or manage residential property in Clarksville or elsewhere in Tennessee, staying current on Tennessee real estate laws is essential. Clear lease disclosures, accurate ownership information, and reliable maintenance communication can help you reduce disputes and operate with greater confidence.
For Kentucky property owners and renters, the same principle applies: follow the laws that govern the property’s location. Tennessee requirements do not automatically apply to Kentucky leases.
This guide explains the most important Tennessee legal updates affecting landlords, tenants, property managers, and vacation lodging services in 2026. It is written for educational purposes only and is not legal advice. For a specific lease, dispute, or business structure, consult a qualified Tennessee or Kentucky attorney.
Quick answer: What changed under Tennessee real estate laws?
The major landlord transparency change is commonly called the Tennessee Landlord Transparency Act. It was enacted through House Bill 1814 and Public Chapter 907, amending Tennessee Code Annotated § 66-28-302.
Although this law remains important in 2026, it was enacted in 2024 and became effective January 1, 2025. For covered URLTA rental agreements, landlords must provide written information identifying:
- The agent authorized to manage the property
- An owner or authorized agent who can receive legal notices and demands
- A maintenance telephone number or email address, or an online landlord-tenant communication portal
The information must be provided at or before the beginning of the tenancy and kept current.
Important clarification: Public Chapter 907 and TCA § 66-28-302 do not appear to create a special 10-day deadline, automatic court order, or automatic attorney-fee award for failing to provide these disclosures. Tenants may have remedies under other applicable provisions of the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, but the specific remedy depends on the facts and legal claim.
Tennessee Landlord Transparency Act: What landlords must disclose
Written owner and management information
For a covered Tennessee rental, your lease package should clearly identify the true name and address of the property owner or the authorized management agent.
A management company may be listed as the agent authorized to manage the premises. However, the documentation should also identify an owner or person authorized to act for the owner regarding service of process, notices, and demands.
This information should not be hidden in an informal email or provided only after a dispute begins. Include it directly in the active lease agreement or in a written disclosure delivered with the lease.
For Clarksville landlords, this is especially important when:
- The property is owned by an LLC or other business entity
- The owner lives outside Tennessee
- A third-party property manager handles leasing and maintenance
- Different companies handle rent collection and repairs
- The property changes management during an active tenancy
The required information must remain current. If ownership or management changes, update your records and tenant-facing disclosures promptly.
Maintenance phone, email, or online portal
Tenants must also have a reliable way to communicate about maintenance services. Depending on your system, provide either:
- A maintenance telephone number or email address; or
- An online portal designed for landlord-tenant communication.
A professional maintenance process should explain how tenants submit requests, what to do in an emergency, and how the landlord or manager tracks responses.
A portal can be especially useful for Clarksville rental owners with multiple properties. It creates a record of the request, date, status, vendor communication, and completed work. If you use a phone or email system instead, make sure tenants know which contact method is intended for routine maintenance and which method should be used for urgent conditions.
What happens if information is not provided?
TCA § 66-28-302 includes a procedural consequence when the required information is not disclosed. A person who fails to comply may be treated as an agent of each landlord for purposes of receiving service of process, notices, and demands.
That does not mean every missing disclosure automatically results in damages or attorney’s fees. It also does not create a special “wait 10 days, then receive an automatic court order” process under this section.
If a tenant believes a landlord has violated the URLTA or the lease, the tenant should document the issue and obtain legal guidance about available remedies. Landlords should not assume that an incomplete disclosure is harmless simply because no dispute has occurred yet.
Practical lease compliance checklist for Tennessee landlords
Before signing, amending, or renewing a covered Tennessee residential lease, review the following items:
1. Identify the management agent
List the legal name and address of the person or company authorized to manage the premises. If a property management company is involved, identify it clearly rather than using only a brand nickname or individual employee’s name.
2. Identify the owner or authorized legal agent
Include the true name and address of an owner or authorized agent who can accept service of process and receive notices and demands on the owner’s behalf.
3. Provide a maintenance communication method
List a maintenance phone number or email address, or provide clear instructions for using your online tenant portal.
4. Keep the information current
Create a compliance calendar or internal checklist to update lease records after:
- A sale or transfer
- A change in management company
- A change in maintenance provider
- A change in mailing address
- A change in portal, email, or phone contact information
5. Preserve delivery records
Keep a signed lease, disclosure acknowledgment, email delivery record, or portal confirmation showing when the tenant received the information.
6. Review older active leases
If you manage properties in Montgomery County or another Tennessee URLTA jurisdiction, review existing lease forms and renewal documents. A form that was acceptable before the transparency amendment may not provide the level of clarity your current process needs.
Senate Bill 1786 and vacation lodging services
Another important 2026 development involves vacation lodging services, including certain short-term rental management activities.
Senate Bill 1786, associated with Public Chapter 1095, creates a licensure exemption for certain licensed Tennessee real estate brokers and affiliate brokers serving as a vacation lodging service firm’s designated agent. The law took effect July 1, 2026, according to Tennessee regulatory guidance.
In practical terms, a properly licensed affiliate broker or broker may be exempt from additional vacation lodging service licensure and classroom-hour requirements. However, the exemption does not eliminate supervisory responsibility.
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 matters to Clarksville-area operators managing furnished stays, corporate housing, or vacation lodging properties because vacation lodging services are not the same as ordinary long-term residential leasing.
A compliant operation should review:
- Who is the designated agent
- Which principal broker provides direct supervision
- How advertising and booking activity is reviewed
- How guest funds and records are handled
- Whether local zoning, tax, safety, and licensing rules apply
- How owner and guest communications are documented
The Tennessee Real Estate Commission’s official laws and rules page provides a starting point for reviewing broker-related requirements. You can also review the Tennessee Department of Commerce and Insurance announcement regarding 2026 regulatory changes.
What Kentucky landlords and tenants should know
Kentucky owners and renters should be careful not to assume that Tennessee’s landlord disclosure rules apply to a Kentucky property.
If you own rentals in both Clarksville and Kentucky, maintain separate compliance checklists for each state. Confirm:
- Which state’s law governs the property
- Whether local landlord-tenant rules apply
- What information must be included in the lease
- How notices must be delivered
- Who may legally perform property management services
- Whether local short-term rental rules affect the property
A multi-state portfolio benefits from consistent recordkeeping, but the legal language in each lease should be reviewed for the jurisdiction where the property is located.
How Haus can help with Tennessee and Kentucky rental properties
Managing a rental property involves more than collecting rent. You also need organized lease documents, reliable maintenance communication, accurate owner information, and a process for tracking changing legal requirements.
Haus – CVILLE Tennessee provides personalized real estate and property management support for owners, renters, buyers, and sellers across Tennessee and Kentucky. Our experienced team can help you review your operational process, improve communication systems, and coordinate the day-to-day details of your rental property.
If you own a rental in Clarksville, Montgomery County, or Kentucky, contact Haus to discuss your goals. You can also learn more about our property management and real estate services or review our landlord’s 2026 guide to Tennessee and Kentucky property management.
Frequently asked questions about Tennessee real estate laws
Does the Tennessee Landlord Transparency Act begin in 2026?
No. House Bill 1814 became Public Chapter 907 in 2024 and took effect January 1, 2025. Its disclosure requirements remain relevant to covered Tennessee leases in 2026.
What information must a Tennessee landlord provide?
The landlord must provide written information identifying the management agent, an owner or authorized agent for receiving notices and service of process, and a maintenance telephone number, email address, or online communication portal.
Is there a 10-day deadline for providing landlord contact information?
Public Chapter 907 and TCA § 66-28-302 do not establish a special 10-day deadline for these disclosures. Do not rely on an automatic 10-day court-order or attorney-fee rule without advice from a Tennessee landlord-tenant attorney.
Does SB 1786 remove principal broker supervision?
No. Licensed brokers and affiliate brokers may qualify for an exemption from additional vacation lodging service licensing and training requirements, but vacation lodging services remain under the direct supervision of the firm’s principal broker.
Does Tennessee law apply to my Kentucky rental?
Generally, Tennessee law applies to Tennessee property and Kentucky law applies to Kentucky property. Your lease should be prepared and reviewed for the jurisdiction where the rental is located.
Final takeaway
The most practical step for Tennessee landlords in 2026 is simple: make your lease disclosures accurate, written, easy to find, and current. Include the true name and address of the property owner or authorized management agent, provide a dependable maintenance communication method, and document delivery.
For vacation lodging services, confirm that licensed brokers and affiliate brokers are working under the direct supervision of the firm’s principal broker. For Kentucky properties, use a separate state-specific compliance review.
When you need dependable guidance for a Clarksville-area rental or a Tennessee and Kentucky real estate plan, contact the dedicated team at Haus.
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