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A landlord in Knox County, Tennessee, collects a $2,400 security deposit from a tenant whose monthly rent is $1,100. The tenant later vacates and demands a full refund. The landlord claims the deposit amount was valid because the parties agreed to it in writing. Under the Tennessee Landlord-Tenant Act, which of the following is correct?

Correct Answer

D) The deposit exceeds the statutory maximum; the Act limits security deposits to two months' rent in qualifying counties, making the permissible maximum $2,200.

Knox County exceeds the 75,000-population threshold, so the Tennessee Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies. Under Tenn. Code Ann. § 66-28-201, landlords in qualifying counties may not require a security deposit exceeding two months' rent. With monthly rent of $1,100, the maximum permissible security deposit is $2,200 (2 × $1,100). The $2,400 deposit collected exceeds this statutory cap by $200, making it impermissible regardless of any written agreement between the parties.

Answer Options
A
The full $2,400 deposit is permissible because the parties mutually agreed to the amount in a written lease agreement.
B
The deposit is impermissible because the Act prohibits security deposits entirely in counties with populations over 75,000.
C
The deposit is permissible because Knox County exceeds the 75,000-population threshold and the Act sets no maximum limit on security deposits.
D
The deposit exceeds the statutory maximum; the Act limits security deposits to two months' rent in qualifying counties, making the permissible maximum $2,200.

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Related Topics & Key Terms

Key Terms:

landlord_tenant_actsecurity_depositmaximum_depositknox_countystatutory_cap

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