Eviction filings in Nashville were 70% higher in December than before the pandemic. Here are some prevention tips.

More Nashville residents received eviction notices in December 2022 compared to the same month before the pandemic (2017, 2018 and 2019).They’re up 70%, according to analysis from the Eviction Lab.

In Nashville, eviction protections ended on July 26, 2021. Despite organizers urging the local courts and government to take action, they didn’t. Almost a year later, the program set up to provide rental assistance closed.

But in another twist, Metro Action announced last week it had restructured its finances in order to help 700 residents — with priority going to Housing, Opportunity, Partnership and Employment, or HOPE, applicants already in the courts.

In a different effort, the Metro Council is giving money to Legal Aid Society, the Cumberlands and Conexión Américas for a two-year pilot program focused on preventive education, direct legal representation and program evaluation.

Here’s some tips they’ve shared for landlords and tenants to avoid eviction:

The No. 1 key is to keep a paper trail. It keeps track of what’s been communicated and paid, which could help in court should you end up there.

Tenants

1. You can’t stop paying rent because your landlord hasn’t done maintenance or repairs. You can be evicted for this.

• • Source: Section 66-28-304 of the Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act
  • “If your landlord doesn’t do maintenance, you have to make a written request, give them 14 days to respond, and then your option is to terminate the lease, which comes at its own risk,” says legal navigator Matty Templeton of Legal Aid.
  • Alternative: Go to or call an attorney, Legal Aid Society or the National Hispanic Bar Association to get advice.

2. If you live in public housing or subsidized housing be sure to report your income on time.

• • Source: HUD Tenant Handbook
  • “The annual process for reporting income is called “annual recertification,” but if your income changes during the term of your lease, you are supposed to complete an “interim recertification.” Always put these requests in writing so you have proof of notifying management of changes,” Templeton says.

3. If you pay rent with cash or a money order, it could get lost.

• • Alternative: Be sure to document how you pay. It’ll give you a paper trail and indicate who you were paying.

Landlords

1. You cannot change the locks on your tenant.

• • Source: Section 66-28-504 – Illegal Ouster of the Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act. The Forcible Entry and Detainer Statute is located at Tenn. Code Ann. Sections 66-28-101 et seq.
  • Alternative: Go through the court eviction process.

2. You cannot turn off your tenant’s water or electricity to force them out.

• • Source: Section 66-28-504 – Illegal Ouster of the Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act