DisputeKit / States / Tennessee
Your consumer rights in Tennessee
What Tennessee and federal law say about getting a security deposit back, refunds and cancelling subscriptions, with the law cited and a sample letter for each.
Security deposits
Tennessee law sets no fixed deadline for returning a deposit, but a landlord can only charge for damage found within 30 days after you moved out. You can ask for your deposit back in writing now. Under Tennessee Code § 66-28-301, a landlord may only recover the cost of physical damage to the premises if the damage was discovered within 30 days after the tenant vacated, or within 7 days after a new tenant took possession if that was sooner.
Refunds
If a company won't refund you, send a written demand with a clear deadline. If you paid by credit card, you may also be able to dispute the charge: Under the Fair Credit Billing Act, a billing-error dispute must reach the card issuer in writing within 60 days after the first statement showing the charge.
Subscriptions
Tennessee has its own automatic-renewal law for subscriptions, on top of the federal Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act.
Small claims and complaints in Tennessee
- Tennessee consumer law
- Tennessee Code Annotated § 47-18-104 (Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977)
- Where to file a complaint
- Tennessee Attorney General, Consumer Protection
- Small claims limit
- $25,000 in General Sessions Court (Tennessee's small claims court)
- Filing fee
- Varies by county; ask the General Sessions Court clerk (filing and service costs are usually paid up front)