A new Tennessee law set to take effect in 2025 is empowering renters in certain counties by requiring landlords to provide essential contact information for maintenance and communication. This law will help renters, especially in areas where landlords are absentee or out of state, by ensuring they can easily reach out for repairs or dispute resolution.
According to Darrell Winfree, staff attorney at Legal Aid of East Tennessee, the law is a significant step in making sure tenants have clear channels to contact their landlords for maintenance and legal matters. He explained that tenants often face difficulties in reaching landlords who may not live locally, which can delay repairs and create other challenges.
The law mandates landlords provide tenants with contact details for a property manager, a maintenance contact, and an online platform for communication. This transparency will also make it easier for tenants to serve legal notices in case disputes arise, leveling the playing field in situations where tenants need to take legal action, such as for unresolved maintenance issues.
Tennessee State Representative Dwayne Thompson, who supported the bill, emphasized that the law targets absentee landlords, particularly those from out of state, who may not have provided clear contact information or maintenance services in the past.
The new law will apply to counties with populations over 75,000 and is designed to improve communication and resolve issues before they escalate. However, counties like Loudon County will not be affected, as they don’t meet the population requirement.
Winfree believes that the law will help improve relationships between tenants and landlords, making it easier for issues to be addressed without legal intervention. This change is particularly important for tenants who often face difficulties due to a lack of communication with landlords.