Tennessee § 68-111-103 - Complaint.

§ 68-111-103. Complaint.

Any tenant or third party complainant may file a complaint with the building inspector of the city or county in which the rented premises are located or with the county public health department in which the tenant's rented premises are located, if the premises are, in the opinion of the tenant or complainant and the building inspector or the public health department, in violation of the minimum health standards and consequently unfit for human habitation. The building inspector or representative of the public health department shall inspect the building facility no later than fourteen (14) days after the filing of the complaint. The complaint shall be in writing, and a copy shall be forwarded by certified mail to the tenant's landlord or the landlord's agent. It shall be a condition of this section that no rent shall be paid to anyone except the landlord until the building inspector or a representative of the public health department agrees in writing with the tenant that the premises are unfit for habitation. Acts 1973, ch. 139, § 2; 1981, ch. 352, §§ 1, 2; T.C.A., §§ 53-5503, 68-40-103; Acts 2008, ch. 1027, §§ 2, 7. Compiler's Notes. For additional provisions concerning time limitations for inspection, see the first sentence of § 68-111-104 . Former § 68-111-109 provided that the provisions of the versions of §§ 68-111-101 , 68-111-103 , 68-111-104 and 68-111-108 as amended or enacted by Acts 2008, ch. 1027, §§ 1-8 shall be repealed on July 1, 2009, and the provisions of those sections that were in effect on January 1, 2008, shall be revived and reenacted. Former § 68-111-109 was repealed by Acts 2009, ch. 237, § 1, effective July 1, 2009; therefore, §§ 68-111-101 , 68-111-103 , 68-111-104 , and 68-111-108 as amended or enacted by Acts 2008, ch. 1027, §§ 1-8 remain in effect. Former title 68, ch. 40, §§ 68-40-101 — 68-40-107 , was transferred to title 68, ch. 111, §§ 68-111-101 — 68-111-107 , respectively, in 1992. Law Reviews. Survey of Tennessee Property Law, II. Estates in General (Toxey H. Sewell), 46 Tenn. L. Rev. 161. Collateral References. Landlord's liability for injury or death caused by defective condition of steps or stairways used in common by tenants. 67 A.L.R.3d 490, 67 A.L.R.3d 587. Landlord's liability for injury or death due to defects in areas of building (other than stairways) used in common by tenants. 65 A.L.R.3d 14. Landlord's liability for injury or death due to defects in outside walks, drives, or grounds used in common by tenants. 68 A.L.R.3d 382. Landlord's liability for personal injury or death due to defects in appliances supplied for use of different tenants. 66 A.L.R.3d 374. Liability of landlord for personal injury or death due to inadequacy or lack of lighting on portion of premises used in common by tenants. 66 A.L.R.3d 202. Tort liability of landlord for injury or death of tenant or third person caused by dangerous condition of premises. 64 A.L.R.3d 1191.