Tennessee Small Claims Court for a Security Deposit
Limits: $25,000 (General Sessions Court (statewide civil jurisdiction limit commonly used for deposit suits) only). Court: General Sessions Court or Circuit Court. Limitation period listed in our state data: 6 years. Filing fees vary by county; service costs may be extra. See the table. E-filing verified in 0/5 counties. Typical demand-letter response window: 30 days.
County court coverage and fees
5 listed counties · E-filing: Yes 0, No 5, Not verified 0
Deposit return deadlines
- No fixed statutory deadline (landlord must send notification of any refund due to last known or reasonably determinable address after tenant leaves not owing rent); landlord must send notification of any refund due to last known or reasonably determinable address after tenant leaves not owing rent. no fixed statutory number of days to return the deposit itself; statute requires notification of refund amount but does not set a calendar return deadline.
- 60 calendar days after landlord sends notification of refund amount due. if tenant does not respond, landlord may remove and retain the deposit free of tenant claims (unclaimed funds rule, not a return deadline).
- 30 calendar days after tenant vacated or abandoned the premises. outer limit for landlord to discover and recover costs of additional physical damages after inspection (or 7 days after a new tenant takes possession, if earlier).
- 7 calendar days after a new tenant takes possession. alternate outer limit for discovering additional physical damages after inspection (whichever of 30 days after vacate or 7 days after new possession is earlier).
From a letter to court
- Send a Tennessee security deposit demand letter stating the deposit amount supported by your records.
- Before you file: review the deposit return deadlines above and allow the typical response window of 30 days after your letter.
- Time limit to sue in Tennessee: 6 years.
- Check the court's filing instructions. Keep your lease, payment records, photos, letter, and proof of delivery ready.
How to file
Forms: Court forms and filing information
File online: Varies by county
Attorneys allowed: Yes
Free Tennessee template, built from verified state data
I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Tennessee law (Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-301), a landlord must return the deposit or send a written, itemized list of deductions.
Key facts
| Small claims limit | $25,000 (General Sessions Court (statewide civil jurisdiction limit commonly used for deposit suits) only) |
|---|---|
| Court | General Sessions Court or Circuit Court |
| Limitation period listed in our state data | 6 years |
| Bad faith required | No |
| Itemization required | Yes |
What you can recover
landlord may not retain any portion of the deposit if deposit was not held in the required account and a damage listing is not provided as required; tenant may sue in circuit or general sessions court limited to items specifically dissented. Bad faith required: No.
County small claims courts
| County | Court and city | Limit | Filing fee | E-filing | Court link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shelby County | Shelby County General Sessions Court, Civil Division, Memphis | $25,000 (General Sessions Court (statewide civil jurisdiction limit commonly used for deposit suits) only) | Statewide filing fee: $50 statutory clerk filing fee for a civil warrant, plus applicable litigation taxes and service costs. Official 2026 fee source: https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=SB0409&GA=114 | No | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Davidson County | Metropolitan General Sessions Court, Civil Division, Nashville | $25,000 (General Sessions Court (statewide civil jurisdiction limit commonly used for deposit suits) only) | County filing fee: $145.75 for a civil warrant with one sheriff service: $50 clerk, $52 sheriff, and $43.75 litigation tax. Official source: https://circuitclerk.nashville.gov/general-sessions-civil-division-filing-fees-effective-january-1-2026/ | No | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Knox County | Knox County General Sessions Court, Civil Division, Knoxville | $25,000 (General Sessions Court (statewide civil jurisdiction limit commonly used for deposit suits) only) | Statewide filing fee: $50 statutory clerk filing fee for a civil warrant, plus applicable litigation taxes and service costs. Official 2026 fee source: https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=SB0409&GA=114 | No | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Hamilton County | Hamilton County General Sessions Court, Civil Division, Chattanooga | $25,000 (General Sessions Court (statewide civil jurisdiction limit commonly used for deposit suits) only) | County filing fee: $271.25 for a civil warrant with one sheriff service: $50 clerk, $52 sheriff, and $169.25 taxes. Official source: https://www.hamiltontn.gov/pdf/courts/sessions/Sessions%20Civil%20Filing%20Fees%20effective%202026-01-01.pdf | No | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
| Rutherford County | Rutherford County General Sessions Court, Civil Division, Murfreesboro | $25,000 (General Sessions Court (statewide civil jurisdiction limit commonly used for deposit suits) only) | County filing fee: $50 statutory clerk filing fee for a civil warrant, plus applicable litigation taxes and service costs. The county court links its current fee sheet at https://rutherfordcountytn.gov/general-sessions | No | Official court website Court page check not recorded |
Detailed guides for 5 counties
Statute says
No landlord shall be entitled to retain any portion of a security deposit if the security deposit was not deposited in an account as required by subsection (a) and a listing of damages is not provided as required by subsection (b).
What this means
Tenant resources
- Help4TNlegal aid, 844-435-7486
- Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlandslegal aid, 800-238-1443
- West Tennessee Legal Serviceslegal aid, 800-372-8346
- Tennessee Division of Consumer Affairsag consumer
- Tennessee Courts General Sessions Civil Formscourt self help
FAQ
What is the small claims limit in Tennessee?
$25,000 (General Sessions Court (statewide civil jurisdiction limit commonly used for deposit suits) only)
What is the statute of limitations?
Limitation period listed in our state data: 6 years.
Can I recover more than my deposit?
landlord may not retain any portion of the deposit if deposit was not held in the required account and a damage listing is not provided as required; tenant may sue in circuit or general sessions court limited to items specifically dissented. Bad faith required: No.
Which court handles the claim?
General Sessions Court or Circuit Court
Should I send a demand letter first?
First listed deposit return deadline: No fixed statutory deadline (landlord must send notification of any refund due to last known or reasonably determinable address after tenant leaves not owing rent); landlord must send notification of any refund due to last known or reasonably determinable address after tenant leaves not owing rent. no fixed statutory number of days to return the deposit itself; statute requires notification of refund amount but does not set a calendar return deadline. Typical response window after a demand letter: 30 days.