Tennessee § 66-28-503 - Fire or casualty damage.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 66-28-503 — Fire or casualty damage., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 66-28-503. Fire or casualty damage.
If the dwelling unit or premises are damaged or destroyed by fire or casualty to an extent that the use of the dwelling unit is substantially impaired, the tenant: May immediately vacate the premises; and Shall notify the landlord in writing within fourteen (14) days thereafter of the tenant's intention to terminate the rental agreement, in which case the rental agreement terminates as of the date of vacating. If the dwelling unit or premises are damaged or destroyed by fire or casualty to an extent that restoring the dwelling unit or premises to its undamaged condition requires the tenant to vacate the premises, the landlord is authorized to terminate the rental agreement within fourteen (14) days of providing written notice to the tenant. If the rental agreement is terminated, the landlord shall return all prepaid rent and security deposits recoverable under § 66-28-301. If the tenant vacates pursuant to this section, accounting for rent is to occur as of the date the tenant returns the keys to the landlord or has, in fact, vacated the dwelling unit or premises whichever date is earlier. Acts 1975, ch. 245, § 4.103; T.C.A., § 64-2843; Acts 2013, ch. 107, §§ 1, 2. Compiler's Notes. Acts 2013, ch. 107, § 3 provided that the act, which added present subsection (b) and redesignated former subsection (b) as present amended subsection (c), shall apply to rental agreements entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2013. Cross-References. Tenant's remedy where leased building suffers casualty damage, § 66-7-102 . Textbooks. Tennessee Jurisprudence, 17 Tenn. Juris., Landlord and Tenant, § 31. Law Reviews. An Overview of the Tennessee Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, 7 Mem. St. U.L. Rev. 109 (1977).
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 66-28-503
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 66-28-503 cover?
Section 66-28-503 ("Fire or casualty damage.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 66-28-503?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 66-28-503" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 66-28-503 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.