Cal. Civ. Code § 66-28-506
Failure of tenant to maintain dwelling.
Operative Text
If there is noncompliance by the tenant with § 66-28-401 materially affecting health and safety that can be remedied by repair, replacement of a damaged item or cleaning, and the tenant fails to comply as promptly as conditions require in case of emergency or within fourteen (14) days after written notice by the landlord specifying the breach and requesting that the tenant remedy it within that period of time, the landlord may enter the dwelling unit and cause the work to be done in a workmanlike manner and submit an itemized bill for the actual and reasonable cost or the fair and reasonable value thereof as rent on the next date when periodic rent is due, or if the rental agreement has terminated, for immediate payment.
Under Tennessee Code § 66-28-506, when a tenant fails to maintain the dwelling in a way that materially affects health and safety—and that failure could be fixed through repair, replacement, or cleaning—the landlord is permitted to step in and have the work done after proper notice. Specifically, the landlord must first give the tenant written notice identifying the problem and allowing up to 14 days to fix it (or less in an emergency). If the tenant does not act in time, the landlord may enter, arrange for the work to be completed in a workmanlike manner, and then bill the tenant for the actual and reasonable cost, added to the next rent payment or due immediately if the lease has ended.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 66-28-506, operators who observe a tenant-caused condition materially affecting health and safety should document the issue thoroughly and deliver written notice that clearly identifies the breach and sets a 14-day cure period—or a shorter period if emergency conditions require it. If the tenant does not remedy the problem within that window, the landlord may arrange for qualified workers to perform the repairs and then submit an itemized bill reflecting actual and reasonable costs, applied as rent on the next due date. Maintaining detailed records of the notice, the work performed, and the itemized costs supports a clear paper trail consistent with the statute's requirements.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section § 66-28-506 gives landlords a specific remedy when a tenant's failure to maintain the unit materially affects health and safety, so tenants should be aware that a written notice from a landlord under this provision starts a 14-day clock to address the identified condition. If the landlord enters and performs the work after that period, the costs can be added to the tenant's rent obligation, which means disputing the reasonableness or accuracy of those charges may become relevant. Tenants who believe a notice is improper, that the costs billed are not actual and reasonable, or that the underlying maintenance obligation is disputed may benefit from reviewing their rights with a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office familiar with Tennessee landlord-tenant law.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 29, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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