Cal. Civ. Code § 66-28-513
Remedies for abuse of access.
Operative Text
(a) If the tenant refuses to allow lawful access, the landlord may obtain injunctive relief to compel access, or terminate the rental agreement. In either case, the landlord may recover actual damages and reasonable attorney's fees. (b) If the landlord makes an unlawful entry or a lawful entry in an unreasonable manner or makes repeated demands for entry otherwise lawful but which have the effect of unreasonably harassing the tenant, the tenant may obtain injunctive relief to prevent the recurrence of the conduct, or terminate the rental agreement. In either case, the tenant may recover actual damages and reasonable attorney's fees.
Tennessee Code § 66-28-513 establishes remedies for both sides when access to a rental unit is misused. If a tenant wrongfully refuses a landlord's lawful entry request, the landlord may seek a court order compelling access or end the tenancy, and can recover actual damages plus reasonable attorney's fees. Conversely, if a landlord enters unlawfully, enters lawfully but in an unreasonable manner, or repeatedly demands entry in a way that amounts to harassment, the tenant may seek a court order stopping that conduct or terminate the rental agreement, also with the right to recover actual damages and reasonable attorney's fees. The provision creates a parallel set of protections and consequences for each party.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under § 66-28-513, landlords who follow Tennessee's lawful access rules—providing proper notice, entering at reasonable times, and limiting the frequency of entry requests—are on solid legal footing. When a tenant refuses a lawful access request, compliant operators document the refusal and understand that the law provides remedies including injunctive relief, lease termination, and recovery of actual damages and attorney's fees. Operators generally keep records of all entry notices and communications to support any future claim under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Section 66-28-513 gives Tennessee tenants meaningful tools when a landlord's entry conduct crosses legal lines—whether through an outright unlawful entry, an entry carried out in an unreasonable manner, or a pattern of repeated demands that amounts to harassment. Tenants in this situation may be entitled to a court order preventing the conduct from recurring, the right to terminate the rental agreement, and recovery of actual damages and reasonable attorney's fees. Tenants who believe their rights under this provision have been violated may consider documenting each incident in writing and reaching out to a local tenant-rights organization for general guidance on available options.
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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