Evicting a bad tenant in Tennessee costs ~$6,800.
How Tennessee handles evictions
URLTA applies in larger counties.
Most of that loss is preventable.
Bad tenants almost always leave a paper trail, the problem is that most landlords don't check carefully. Here's what a proper screening catches before you sign the lease.
Tennessee eviction cost FAQ
How much does it cost to evict someone in Tennessee?
TenantFort estimates a contested eviction in Tennessee at around $6,800 all-in: a $120 filing fee, roughly 1.2 months of lost rent ($1,680 at a typical $1,400/mo), plus legal fees, property damage beyond the deposit, and turnover costs, using national planning figures for those three. Uncontested cases cost less.
How long does an eviction take in Tennessee?
Roughly 35 days (~5 weeks) from notice to lockout, as an estimate; contested cases take longer. URLTA applies in larger counties.
How much is the eviction filing fee in Tennessee?
$120, filed with the General Sessions Court. Service, writ, and execution fees are typically extra and vary by county/court.
What court handles evictions in Tennessee?
Evictions in Tennessee are handled by the General Sessions Court.
Sources & methodology
The filing fee is the General Sessions Court's published fee; it has not yet been checked against the official fee schedule for this page, so confirm it with the court before you file. The timeline and typical rent are estimates. Property damage ($2,500), legal fees ($1,000) and turnover ($1,500) are round planning figures, the same for every state, not costs measured in Tennessee. Real costs vary by county, whether the tenant contests, and the market.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Consult a local attorney for your specific situation.