How much can a landlord charge for a late rent fee in Tennessee?
In Tennessee, a late fee may not exceed 10% of the rent past due. There is a five-day grace period, counting the due date, before a late fee may be charged — extended to the next business day when the fifth day is a Sunday or a legal holiday. This part of Tennessee’s Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies only in counties with a population over 75,000. This is Tenn. Code § 66-28-201(d).
| What | Tennessee |
|---|---|
| Maximum late fee | 10% of the rent past due |
| No late fee before | 5 days |
Notes
This part of Tennessee’s Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies only in counties with a population over 75,000.
Source
Tenn. Code § 66-28-201(d) — last checked 2026-09-16.
This is a summary of a published statute, not legal advice. Rules change, local ordinances can add to them, and the terms of a specific lease may differ. Check the citation and speak to a lawyer before acting.
How Seayora uses this rule
Seayora charges only the late fee written into the lease, after the grace period the lease sets, and adds no late fee of its own. This page states the statutory ceiling and waiting period so the terms of a lease can be checked against them before it is signed.
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The same question in other states
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- District of Columbia
- Hawaii
- Iowa
- Maine
- Maryland
- Minnesota
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- New York