Tennessee security deposit law
Can I get more than my deposit back in Tennessee?
The short answer
Often, yes. Tennessee law allows statutory damages equal to the deposit for wrongful withholding under Tenn. Code § 66-28-301, on top of the deposit itself.
Tennessee is one of the states where wrongful withholding costs the landlord more than the deposit: Tenn. Code § 66-28-301 allows courts to award statutory damages equal to the deposit, in addition to returning the deposit itself.
What this means practically: the money at stake is often larger than the deposit, and a landlord facing a judgment adding damages on top of the deposit has a strong incentive to settle when a tenant demonstrates they know the statute. Attorney's fees can also be recoverable, which changes the landlord's calculation further.
How tenants actually unlock these remedies: not by mentioning them on the phone, but in a formal demand letter that cites Tenn. Code § 66-28-301, the missed deadline, and the specific exposure. That letter is usually the moment the landlord's cost-benefit flips.
If it still goes unanswered, General Sessions Court is where these damages get awarded, and the demand letter is the exhibit that proves you gave fair notice.
The Tennessee rules at a glance. Governing statute: Tenn. Code § 66-28-301. Return deadline: 30 days. Statutory damages: damages equal to the deposit for wrongful withholding. Attorney's fees: recoverable in qualifying cases. Court for disputes: General Sessions Court, claims up to $25,000.
See what your landlord owes you under Tennessee law.
Answer a few questions about your situation and get a Tennessee-specific demand letter that applies these rules to your case, ready in about ten minutes.