Renters Rights in Tennessee. Do we have any? We should! There are "renters rights" in the state of Tennessee but according to Judge Daniel Smith in Savannah,TN in the case of Mark Alexander vs Darlene Thurman we dont have "renters rights" in a county with less then 75,000 people. Judge Smith goes on to tell Mrs.Thurman in court: 
“Unfortunately in your case, if you read further in those statutes, those statutes only apply to the larger counties in the state of Tennessee. I know it involves, Shelby, Davidson, Knox and I think it’s extended to Madison. That’s the law in those counties, but unfortunately, the rural areas have different rules. I can’t explain to you why, other than that’s what the legislature, in their wisdom, decided to do,” Hardin County General Sessions Court Judge Daniel Smith said.
The law says because she lives in Hardin County, with fewer than 75,000 people, she would have to either sue her landlord or move out. Mrs. Thurman told Judge Smith 
“I’m on disability. I have a set income of $783 a month. I cannot afford a deposit and rent on a new place." Mrs. Thurman refused to pay Mr. Alexander rent because he knew of some leaks inside and outside of the home which has caused mold,mildew, and damage to the walls, floors and electrical outlets and he refused to get it fixed. Making it out to be her responsibility to fix it all. Judge Smith goes on to say: 
“Your reason for not paying your rent, as you stated, involving the repairs not being done. That not being a defense in this case, and two months without paying your rent, it will be a judgement for possession, plus the back rent of $1,000." Mrs.Thurman has also developed some health issues from living in the home exposed to mold and mildew. 
"Thurman did file a lawsuit against Alexander, claiming mold in the house led to Thurman getting sick." Court was January 9, 2020 and Mrs.Thurman was evicted and only given 10 days to find another place to move. She should be allowed 30 days not 10 days. She is on disability, no transportation, no resources. Please help us with this petition to getting it changed to enforce the TN "Renters Rights" to not only be applied to Hardin and Mcnairy counties but to include ALL counties in Tennessee. No one should have to go through what Mrs.thurman went through. UPDATE: 1/22/2020 Mrs.Thurman is completely moved out of Alexander's housing and has since dropped her lawsuit against Mark Alexander. In these past 2 weeks I've seen the good,the bad and the ugly in people in Hardin County. People that we never thought would help, have helped and people that we thought would help and said they would help havent or couldn't. How many other people not just in Hardin county but other counties in Tennessee have went through or are going through the same situation. State Legislators, Governor,Mayors, TN state Representatives please pass this to include ALL counties in the state of Tennessee and make some changes to the current Renters Rights. A person should be allowed 30 days to get moved not 10, 10 days is almost impossible esp with children or disabled. Landlords need to take full responsibility of the damages in these homes that have leaks and mold damages. There should be some penalty to landlords who do not fix these issues and be given a certain amount of time to have them fixed and maybe have a code enforcer or the home inspected before they could rent it out. Something needs done. Please sign the petition help us with getting this to our Mayors and state legislators. No not all landlords are like this, but yes alot of them are and how many people have to suffer and go through what Mrs. Thurman had to go through?? Enough is enough. Stand up for Renters Rights in Tennessee. So far as of today 1/24/2020 this petition not only has reached 260 people from Hardin and Mcnairy counties and surrounding counties in Tennessee but it has also reached WBBJ TV news, Savannah,Tennessee Courier and TN state Representative David Byrd help us with getting this to the Governor of Tennessee and our local Mayors. Thank you. ##RentersRights##