Housing

failed · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 298: Housing - As introduced, enacts the "Homes not Hedge Funds Act"; prohibits certain business entities from purchasing more than 100 single-family homes in certain counties in this state for purposes of renting the purchased properties; establishes a state and private cause of action and establishes damages for violations. - Amends TCA Title 13; Title 47 and Title 66.

HB 298, the "Homes not Hedge Funds Act," prohibits business entities from purchasing more than 100 single-family homes in Tennessee counties with populations exceeding 150,000 (based on 2020 census data) for rental purposes. It defines "single-family home" as detached, semi-detached, or townhomes with no shared utilities, and applies to corporations, LLCs, or investment groups (excluding government entities). The bill allows the state attorney general or affected individuals to sue violators for up to $100 per day per home, plus damages, attorney fees, or punitive penalties. It takes effect for new rental contracts signed after enactment, aiming to limit large-scale rental acquisitions in densely populated areas.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProhibits large investors from purchasing excessive single-family homes in high-population counties, limiting market dominance and protecting tenant affordability in rental housing markets.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Tenant Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 488: Local Government, General - As introduced, removes abandonment as an option for a property owner after a municipality determines the structure located on the property is unfit for human occupation or use; authorizes all municipalities to adopt ordinances to inspect residential dwelling units that are deteriorated. - Amends TCA Title 13, Chapter 21.

SB 488 removes the option for property owners to abandon properties when a municipality declares a structure unsafe for human occupation. It authorizes all Tennessee municipalities to create their own ordinances requiring inspections of deteriorated residential properties. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated sections related to building safety, eliminating the previous "abandonment" pathway and giving local governments clearer authority to enforce housing standards. This directly affects homeowners in Tennessee and strengthens municipal oversight of unsafe residential buildings.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves property abandonment loophole for unsafe structures, mandates municipal inspections of deteriorated housing, and strengthens enforcement of building safety standards to protect tenants and maintain housing quality.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Building Codes Landlords Tenant Rights Tags Local Government

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SB 1079: Real Property - As enacted, adds requirements for declarant access to and use of deposits made in connection with the purchase or reservation of a condominium unit; makes other similar changes. - Amends TCA Title 66.

SB 1079 requires developers (called "declarants") to hold the first 10% of a condo buyer's deposit in a state-licensed escrow account until construction is complete. Developers can access these funds only if they provide a surety bond or letter of credit guaranteeing full repayment to the buyer if construction delays prevent unit delivery. Deposits exceeding 10% may be used for actual construction costs (like materials and labor), but not for salaries, commissions, or advertising. The law applies to new condo contracts signed or amended on or after July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingProtects condo buyers' deposits via escrow/surety bonds, preventing financial loss during construction85% confidence

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2025

SB 773: Planning, Public - As enacted, specifies that the vesting period established for a construction project or development plan does not expire because of pending litigation challenging a permit; specifies that the vesting period is tolled while such litigation is pending. - Amends TCA Title 13, Chapter 3; Title 13, Chapter 4 and Title 13, Chapter 7.

SB 773 prevents development permits from expiring when lawsuits challenge them. It pauses the "vesting period" (the timeframe protecting approved projects) during ongoing court cases, ensuring developers retain their project rights. This directly affects property developers and construction companies with permits facing legal disputes. The law creates certainty for development timelines by halting the expiration clock while litigation proceeds.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingPrevents permit expiration during litigation, ensuring developers retain project rights and supporting housing development continuity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 8, 2026

HB 608: Real Property - As introduced, prohibits the state or a local or municipal government from requiring a builder or developer of real property to pay for the building or development of infrastructure that is nonessential to the development, maintenance, or growth of the builder's development property. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 13; Title 54 and Title 66.

HB 608 prohibits Tennessee state and local governments from requiring builders or developers to fund infrastructure that isn't essential to their specific project. It specifically prevents governments from mandating payment for non-adjacent infrastructure or infrastructure beyond what was initially estimated for the development. The bill applies only to residential projects under 300 homes or multi-family housing under 500 units, covering elements like roads, utilities, or internet cabling not directly needed for the property's creation, maintenance, or growth. It does not affect existing zoning, tax laws, or permits, and takes effect July 1, 2025, for new contracts.

Topics ✗ Budget & TaxesOpposes Budget & TaxesRestricts government mandates requiring developers to fund non-essential infrastructure, limiting government spending authority and budgetary demands on private entities.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingHB 608 reduces developer costs by prohibiting non-essential infrastructure mandates, directly facilitating housing development - a key component of the topic. It removes barriers to residential construction under 300 homes/multi-family under 500 u...90% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Property Taxes Zoning

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 766: Taxes, Ad Valorem - As introduced, adds a 5 percent penalty on delinquent property taxes with the penalty to be used to provide tax relief for the homeowners who are elderly low-income, disabled, or a disabled veteran or widow of a disabled veteran. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 5.

HB 766 adds a 5% penalty to overdue property taxes in Tennessee. The penalty money will fund tax relief for elderly low-income homeowners, disabled homeowners, disabled veterans, and widows of disabled veterans. The penalty is calculated only on the base amount of overdue taxes (excluding interest or other penalties). This change takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill uses penalty revenue to fund tax relief for elderly low-income/disabled homeowners and veterans, directly advancing tax relief for vulnerable groups per topic indicators.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds tax relief for vulnerable homeowners, protecting property rights and preventing housing loss for elderly/low-income/disabled groups.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly allocates penalty funds for tax relief for disabled veterans and widows of disabled veterans, directly funding veteran-specific benefits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Tax Property Taxes

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1200: Veterans Services, Dept. of - As introduced, allocates 1 percent of the revenue from sports gaming in this state to the department to be used to support veterans services in this state. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 49; Title 58; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 1200 allocates 1% of revenue generated from sports gaming in Tennessee to the Department of Veterans Services starting July 1, 2025. This funding directly supports state veterans services programs, including counseling, housing assistance, and other support initiatives for veterans. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections to redirect this specific portion of sports gaming revenue to the veterans department. It does not change existing allocations for other services, such as the 4% currently dedicated to mental health and substance abuse services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects 1% of sports gaming revenue to fund veterans services, supporting essential programs without tax increases or defunding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates sports gaming revenue to veterans services including counseling and support initiatives, directly funding mental health and healthcare programs for veterans.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allocates sports gaming revenue for veterans' housing assistance, directly funding a housing program as part of veterans services.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllocates 1% of sports gaming revenue to fund veterans services including counseling and housing assistance, directly advancing state veterans programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Veteran Housing

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 12, 2025

HB 757: Landlord and Tenant - As introduced, increases, from 30 to 45, the number of days a tenant or household member and a landlord have to agree upon a date to terminate a residential rental or lease agreement, provided the tenant supplies written notice and documentation to the landlord that the tenant is a domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking victim. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 13; Title 20; Title 21; Title 25; Title 26; Title 28; Title 29; Title 40; Title 62; Title 66; and Title 68.

HB 757 extends the notice period for tenants fleeing domestic abuse, sexual assault, or stalking from 30 to 45 days to terminate a rental agreement. It requires tenants to provide written notice and documentation of their victim status to landlords to trigger this longer window. The bill directly affects tenants in these situations and their landlords by giving victims more time to safely vacate properties without immediate eviction risk. This change updates Tennessee's residential rental laws (affecting multiple code sections) to prioritize safety for vulnerable tenants.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends tenant protections for crime victims (domestic abuse/stalking), enabling safer exits from abusive situations without immediate eviction risk, aligning with criminal justice reform goals.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingExtends tenant notice period for domestic abuse victims, strengthening protections against immediate eviction per housing tenant rights indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Domestic Violence Violent Crime Landlords Tenant Rights

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 1327: Tennessee Housing Development Agency - As introduced, deletes provision requiring Tennessee rural and workforce housing tax credits to be authorized by joint resolution of the general assembly. - Amends TCA Section 13-23-134 and Chapter 971 of the Public Acts of 2024.

HB 1327 removes a requirement that the Tennessee General Assembly must approve rural and workforce housing tax credits through a joint resolution. This change directly affects the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA), which administers these credits, by allowing it to manage the program without needing separate legislative authorization. The bill amends two specific sections of law to delete the existing authorization language while preserving the 2024 law's allocation rules (e.g., 50% of credits must go to rural projects). The key policy change is shifting the approval process from the legislature to the THDA's existing administrative authority. This takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRemoves legislative approval hurdle for housing tax credits, enabling THDA to administer without joint resolution while preserving 2024 allocation rules, strengthening program continuity.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves legislative approval barrier for housing tax credits, enabling THDA to administer rural/workforce housing program efficiently while preserving 2024 allocation rules.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Affordable Housing Housing Finance Property Development

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 785: Zoning - As introduced, prohibits local governments or planning commissions from requiring more than one means of ingress and egress into a proposed subdivision unless the proposed subdivision has at least 70 residential dwellings. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7 and Title 13.

SB 785 limits local governments in Tennessee from requiring more than one entrance or exit for new housing subdivisions unless they contain at least 70 homes. It directly affects subdivision developers (especially for smaller projects) and local planning commissions, cities, and counties that previously could mandate multiple access points. The bill prohibits these local entities from enforcing such requirements for subdivisions with fewer than 70 residential units, making any conflicting rule void. It amends Tennessee zoning codes (Titles 4, 5, 6, 7, and 13) to establish this statewide standard. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to new or amended planning regulations after that date.

Topics ✓ HousingSupports HousingRemoves local zoning barriers for smaller subdivisions, lowering development costs and enabling more housing options without restricting construction.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Zoning

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