How much rent can I charge for a given property?
In Tennessee, the amount of rent you can charge for a given property is determined by the parties involved in the rental agreement. The Tennessee Residential Landlord and Tenant Act outlines the legal parameters for rent amounts, including what is referred to as "reasonable rent" and "excessive rent". "Reasonable rent" is defined in the Act as an amount that does not exceed what would be charged for similar housing in the area in which the rental property is located. Additionally, any rent must be within the financial means of the tenant, taking into account their income and their ability to make the payments. On the other hand, "excessive rent" is defined as an amount that is more than 10% higher than the prevailing rate for similar housing in the same area. In cases where the tenant can demonstrate to a court, that the rent exceeds this definition of excessive rent, the court may reduce the rent amount to a fair and reasonable level. In either case, it is important to remember that the landlord and tenant are free to bargain over the actual rate of rent. Any agreement between these parties must comply with the law, so it is important that all rental agreements be in writing and clearly state the amount that the tenant agrees to pay.
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