ST StateBenchmarks

Tennessee Rent Late Fee & Grace Period Calculator

Verified Primary Statute: Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d) · Last Checked: Spot a law update? Report it
$
$
Tennessee Legal AssessmentGrace Period Active (No Fee Due)
Maximum Statutory Late Fee:

$0.00

Payment falls within Tennessee's mandatory 5-day statutory grace period (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d)). No late fee may be charged until Day 7.

Statutory Grace Period:5 days (Earliest fee: Day 7)
Days Past Statutory Due Date:5 days
Fee Charged by Landlord:$75.00
Unlawful Overcharge:+$75.00
Governing Authority:Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d)

Tennessee Late Fee Laws at a Glance (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d))

Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d) (Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act), rent paid within 5 days after the due date cannot incur any late fee.

Mandatory Grace Period 5 days (Earliest fee: Day 7)
Maximum Statutory Fee Limit Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d) strictly caps late charges at 10% of the amount of rent past due. No late fee can be charged until after the 5-day grace period.
Written Lease Clause Required? Yes — Mandatory under state law
Primary Governing Statute Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d) ↗

Related Tennessee Rental Compliance Tools

Move-Out Deadlines →

Tennessee Deposit Return Deadline Calculator

Calculate exact statutory refund dates, holiday rollovers, and bad-faith penalty multipliers under T.C.A. §§ 66-28-301 – 66-28-305.

Escrow Interest →

Tennessee Deposit Interest & Escrow Calculator

Calculate annual statutory interest yields, banking escrow rules, and landlord admin fees.

Key Tennessee Statutory Nuances & Legal Precedents

  • Mandatory 5-Day Statutory Grace Period: Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d), no late fee may be assessed if rent is received on or before the 5th day following the statutory due date.
  • Sunday and Holiday Grace Extension: If the 5th day of the grace period falls on a Sunday or legal holiday, the tenant has until the next business day before a late fee can be charged.
  • Strict 10% Ceiling: Late fees cannot exceed 10% of the unpaid rent amount, and must be explicitly stipulated in the written rental agreement.
Worked Statutory Calculation

Nashville Rent Payment on the 5th Day

Monthly Rent:

$1,600

Payment Day:

Day 5

Fee Charged:

$100

Max Legal Fee:

$0

Rent is due on the 1st, and the tenant pays on the 5th of the month. Because Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d) grants a mandatory 5-day grace period, the landlord's late fee is unlawful. No late charge may be levied until the 6th day.

Tennessee Rent Late Fee & Grace Period FAQs

What is the mandatory grace period for rent in Tennessee?

Under Tennessee Code Annotated § 66-28-201(d), landlords must provide a mandatory 5-day grace period. Rent is not legally delinquent for late fee purposes until after the 5th day.

What is the maximum late fee a landlord can charge in Tennessee?

Tennessee law strictly limits late fees to a maximum of 10% of the overdue rent payment. Any fee exceeding 10% violates Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d).

What happens if the 5th day of the grace period is a Sunday in Tennessee?

Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201(d), if the 5th day falls on a Sunday or official legal holiday, the grace period automatically extends to the next business day.

Can a Tennessee landlord charge daily late fees?

Only if the cumulative sum of all daily fees does not exceed the statutory 10% ceiling of the overdue rent amount.