HB 1903 expands Tennessee's homestead property tax exemption to include adult children (18+ years old) with developmental or intellectual disabilities who live in the family home after the death of the head of household. The bill amends Tennessee law to extend the exemption to these adult children - previously only minor children or spouses were covered - provided they continue using the property as their primary residence. It references existing definitions of "developmental disability" and "intellectual disability" from Tennessee Code §52-1-101 to clarify eligibility. The changes apply to property tax protections under Titles 26, 30, 33, and 52 of Tennessee Code, effective July 1, 2026.
SB 1676 would have amended Tennessee zoning law by removing the requirement that rebuilt structures must conform to current zoning regulations. Instead, rebuilding would have followed the zoning rules in effect when the original structure was built, affecting property owners after losses like fire or demolition. The bill deleted specific language from two sections of Tennessee’s zoning code (TCA Title 13, Chapter 7) related to construction requirements. However, the bill was withdrawn on the day it was filed and never became law.
SB 1760 allows housing authorities, industrial development corporations, and community redevelopment agencies to require property owners in designated redevelopment areas to make payments securing the agencies' bonds. These agreements must be recorded as a lien on the property, which takes priority over all existing and future mortgages or liens. The lien is treated like a property tax lien and runs with the land, meaning it stays attached to the property even if ownership changes. Property owners in redevelopment zones would be directly affected by these payment obligations and the lien's priority status.
SB 1990, the "Stop Rent Rigging Act," prohibits rental property owners and managers in Tennessee from using or facilitating algorithmic tools that coordinate pricing across multiple properties. The bill bans software or data services that collect rental data from two or more landlords (excluding affordable housing programs), analyze it, and recommend prices or lease terms to them. It also prohibits landlords from adjusting their own rents based on such recommendations. The law, effective July 1, 2026, targets coordinated pricing practices that reduce competition in the residential rental market.
HB 1657 removes a requirement that structures rebuilt on a site must comply with the zoning regulations in effect when the new construction begins. This change directly affects property owners and developers rebuilding structures on existing sites, particularly in areas where zoning rules have changed since the original construction. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 13, Chapter 7, by deleting specific language from sections 13-7-208(d)(1) and removing subsection 13-7-208(i). The key provision allows rebuilt structures to follow the zoning rules that were in place when they were originally built, rather than current rules.
HB 1501 would allow Tennessee municipalities to require real estate investment trusts (REITs) owning 10 or more rental units within city limits to register with local building code enforcement agencies. REITs would need to provide their contact information and the full addresses of all properties they manage, with updates required within 30 days of any changes. Municipalities could impose a $50 weekly fine for non-compliance, but must provide a hearing opportunity before levying penalties. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not authorize fees for REITs to file required information.
HB 2031 standardizes regulations for accessory dwelling units (ADUs) - secondary housing units like backyard cottages - across Tennessee. It directly affects homeowners in single-family or duplex zones and local governments, by prohibiting municipalities from imposing stricter rules on ADUs than on primary homes (e.g., requiring smaller sizes, banning ADUs on eligible lots, or mandating excessive parking). Key provisions include setting a minimum 850-square-foot size for ADUs, banning restrictions on ADU leasing or occupancy, and requiring local governments to approve ADU permits within 60 days without discretionary review. The bill also mandates that ADU regulations align with those for primary homes, such as setbacks and height limits, while allowing local governments to adopt more permissive standards.
SB 1935 extends Tennessee's homestead exemption - a property tax protection - to adult children (18+ years old) with developmental or intellectual disabilities when a head of household dies. Currently, the exemption covers surviving spouses and minor children; this bill adds eligible adult children who live in the home as their primary residence. The law uses existing definitions of "developmental disability" and "intellectual disability" from state code, and ensures that if property can't be protected as homestead, $35,000 in proceeds must be allocated to the adult child or spouse. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and directly affects families with disabled adult children facing potential loss of their home after a parent's death.
HB 2041 prohibits landlords, property managers, or others serving eviction notices from sharing videos of the eviction process (like handing out papers) without the tenant's written permission. It directly affects tenants whose privacy is violated and landlords or their agents who might share such videos. The law creates a private right to sue, allowing victims to seek at least $25,000 per violation, plus actual damages, attorney fees, and other relief. This applies to real-time or near real-time video sharing, excluding law enforcement officers acting in their official duties.
HB 1940 makes records of certain eviction court cases confidential after specific conditions are met. It applies to unlawful detainer actions (landlord-tenant eviction cases) filed on or after July 1, 2026, that were dismissed, have no pending appeals, and either have passed three years since filing or have written agreement from all parties to shield records. The bill requires courts to keep these records private, removing them from public inspection under Tennessee law. This change affects landlords and tenants in dismissed eviction cases by limiting public access to their court records after the specified time or agreement. The bill does not alter eviction procedures or outcomes, only the accessibility of dismissed case records.
