Cal. Civ. Code § 29-18-102
Forcible entry and detainer defined — Where action does not lie.
Operative Text
(a) A forcible entry and detainer is where a person, by force or with weapons, or by breaking open the doors, windows, or other parts of the house, whether any person be in it or not, or by any kind of violence whatsoever, enters upon land, tenement, or possession, in the occupation of another, and detains and holds the same; or by threatening to kill, maim, or beat the party in possession; or by such words, circumstances, or actions, as have a natural tendency to excite fear or apprehension of danger; or by putting out of doors or carrying away the goods of the party in possession; or by entering peaceably and then turning or keeping the party out of possession by force or threat or other circumstances of terror. (b) No action for forcible entry and detainer shall lie against any tenant who has paid all rent due for current occupancy of the premises and who is not in violation of any law nor otherwise in breach of the tenant's written lease, but this subsection (b) shall not apply in any manner to farm property, nor shall this subsection (b) be construed to alter or amend any valid lease agreement in effect on May 31, 1979.
Tennessee Code Ann. tit. 29, ch. 18 § 29-18-102 defines 'forcible entry and detainer' as a range of coercive or threatening acts used to take or hold possession of property from someone already occupying it — including physical force, threats of harm, removal of belongings, or entering peacefully and then using intimidation to keep the occupant out. The statute also carves out a protection: a forcible entry and detainer action cannot be brought against a tenant who is current on rent, not violating any law, and not in breach of a written lease. This protection does not extend to farm property and does not affect lease agreements that were in effect before May 31, 1979.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 29-18-102, property owners and managers should be aware that Tennessee law defines a broad set of behaviors — from physical force to subtle intimidation — as forcible entry and detainer, meaning such conduct can expose a landlord to legal liability. Compliant operators rely on formal legal eviction processes rather than self-help measures like removing a tenant's belongings, changing locks, or making threats. Landlords also generally ensure that any eviction action brought against a tenant is supported by documented grounds, such as unpaid rent, a lease violation, or a legal violation, since § 29-18-102(b) bars forcible entry and detainer actions against tenants who are current on rent and otherwise compliant.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 29-18-102 provides Tennessee tenants with a meaningful protection: if a tenant is current on all rent owed, is not violating any law, and is not in breach of a written lease, a landlord generally cannot pursue a forcible entry and detainer action against them. Tenants who believe a landlord has used force, threats, or intimidation to remove or exclude them from a rental may have grounds to raise this statute as a defense in court or to seek other legal remedies. Tenants facing such situations may benefit from contacting a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand how § 29-18-102 may apply to their circumstances.
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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