Tennessee property management frequently asked questions

Tennessee property management doesn't have to be complicated. Our FAQ page is here to simplify it with clear, reliable answers covering HOA, rental, condo, and high-rise basics, legislative updates, community financials, board and resident queries, and more. Serving Knoxville, Nashville, Memphis, and beyond, we’re committed to supporting your property management needs by providing trusted guidance in a single, easy-to-navigate resource.

Want to learn more? Visit our Tennessee property management article archive.
 

Tennessee property management basics

Although Tennessee HOAs or community associations are not required to hire a property management company, many choose to do so for the extensive benefits from financial management to 
tenant management.

Learn more about HOA management here.
Hiring a property management company involves researching firms, checking references, asking about their experience, and signing a contract aligned with the community’s needs.

Learn more in our guide "Hiring a Tennessee property management company: What to consider".
The cost of property management in Tennessee typically depends on the size of the community, location, and more.

To learn about the cost of property management with FirstService Residential, contact us today.
A community association manager oversees maintenance, financial operations, and rule enforcement while supporting the board’s decision-making process.

Learn more about Tennessee community association managers here.
FirstService Residential supports Tennessee communities with management services for condominiums, homeowners associations, and more. Our approach includes financial planning, maintenance, and resident engagement, fostering vibrant and thriving neighborhoods.

Learn more about FirstService Residential and our Tennessee property management services here.
Tennessee property management focuses on overseeing rental properties and residential communities, handling responsibilities such as vendor coordination, rent collection, tenant screening, financial planning, and preserving shared spaces to create a well-maintained and welcoming environment.

Learn more about Tennessee property management and our services here.
Tennessee rental property management ensures smooth rental operations by managing tenant relations, coordinating property maintenance, and handling day-to-day administrative tasks for landlords.
Rental management in Tennessee emphasizes leasing, tenant care, and rent collection, while property management expands to include property upkeep, financial planning, and strategic asset management.
FirstService Residential brings deep knowledge of Tennessee’s property market and regulations. Our personalized services and proactive management strategies help communities thrive and grow.

Learn more about Tennessee property management with FirstService Residential here.

About Tennessee HOAs, community associations, high-rises, and more

Yes, an HOA in Tennessee can typically restrict or regulate rentals within the community if outlined in their governing documents. These restrictions are typically designed to maintain property values and community stability. For example, these restrictions can: ban short-term rentals (e.g., Airbnb, Vrbo), require a minimum lease term (often 30 days or more); or impose rental caps (limit the percentage of homes that can be rented). 

For your specific community guidelines, review your community's governing documents.
Capital improvements are major upgrades or renovations to community infrastructure, such as repaving roads or installing new recreation facilities.

To learn more about capital improvements, visit our guide here.
Governing documents are the foundational legal papers of a community, including declarations, bylaws, covenants, and rules that outline its structure and operations.

Learn more about Tennessee governing documents here.
HOA complaints typically involve rule violations, maintenance concerns, or disputes. These are handled by reviewing governing documents, addressing resident concerns, and escalating issues to the board if needed.

Learn more about handling association and resident complaints here.
HOA rules establish guidelines for homeowners, covering topics such as property appearances, community conduct, and use of shared amenities.

Learn more about HOA rules here.
A condo association is an organization responsible for managing and maintaining the common areas and shared amenities within a condominium property.

Learn more about condo association management here.
A Tennessee high-rise is a tall residential or commercial building, usually defined as being seven stories or higher, complete with elevators and urban-style living.

Learn about Tennessee high-rise property management here.
A luxury high-rise features upscale finishes, exclusive amenities such as rooftop pools or concierge services, and offers high-end living experiences.

Learn more about luxury high-rise management here.
A self-managed HOA operates without hiring a property management company and relies solely on its board members and volunteers to complete tasks.

Learn more about the risks and rewards of Tennessee self-managed HOAs here.
A master-planned community in Tennessee is a large-scale residential development that integrates housing, amenities, and often commercial spaces for a cohesive lifestyle.

Learn more about Tennessee master-planned community management here.
Community association insurance typically protects the association from liabilities and damages related to shared spaces, often including property and liability coverage.
HOA fees in Tennessee typically vary based on community offerings, size, and more.
For information on your community's HOA fees, review your association governing documents.

Learn about typical condo fees in Tennessee here.

Learn about managing HOA fee increases here.
A condo association governs shared spaces in condominium buildings, while an HOA manages a broader residential community, including single-family homes and shared amenities.

Learn more about Tennessee condo association management here.

Learn about Tennessee HOA management here.
A Property Owners Association (POA) can encompass a broader range of property types, including commercial and residential, while a Homeowners Association (HOA) generally focuses solely on residential communities.

To learn about Tennessee HOA management, click here.
In Tennessee, homeowners associations (HOAs) are not regulated by a single state agency. Instead, they operate under a combination of state statutes, federal laws, and their own governing documents.

Tennessee HOAs are primarily governed by the Tennessee Nonprofit Corporation Act, as most  HOAs are incorporated as nonprofit corporations, so this act governs their structure, board duties, meetings, and record-keeping.

The Tennessee Condominium Act of 2008 Applies to condominiums created after January 1, 2009.

The Tennessee Horizontal Property Act Applies to  condominium associations formed before 2009.

HOAs must comply with the Fair Housing Act (HUD enforcement) and Americans with Disabilities Act (DOJ enforcement) for anti-discrimination and accessibility.

Tennessee HOA and condo legislative updates

The Tennessee Condominium Act of 2008 (Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 66-27-201 et seq.) is the modern legal framework for condominiums in Tennessee. It applies to all condominiums created after January 1, 2009, and certain provisions also apply to older condominiums formed under the Horizontal Property Act. 
The Tennessee Homeowners Association Act (proposed as Senate Bill 405) is a legislative effort to create a comprehensive framework for HOAs in Tennessee, similar to what other states have.   If passed, the Tennessee Homeowners Association Act would bring greater transparency, homeowner protections, and standardized governance to HOAs statewide. Until then, HOAs operate mainly under their own covenants and the Nonprofit Corporation Act.
The Tennessee Horizontal Property Act (Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 66-27-101 et seq.) is the original state law that provides the legal framework for creating Horizontal Property Regimes (HPRs)—a way to divide a property into individually owned units with shared ownership of common areas. It establishes the legal foundation for condominiums and similar multi-unit developments in Tennessee and applies primarily to condominiums created before January 1, 2009.  For communities created after that date, the Tennessee Condominium Act of 2008 governs.

Community finances

Associations often use reserve funds, special assessments, or external financing options such as loans to fund capital improvements.

Learn more in our article here.
Creating an HOA budget involves estimating income from dues, outlining key expenses, allocating funds for reserves, and adjusting figures based on community needs.

Learn more about Tennessee association budgeting here.
HOA financials are records that detail the association’s income, expenses, assets, and liabilities, offering a clear picture of its financial health.

HOA finances are typically managed by the board treasurer, often with assistance from a property management company like FirstService Residential.

Learn more about the role of a treasurer here.
An association budget is a financial plan detailing income and expenses for the maintenance and management of the community.

Learn more in our guide "Mastering Your Tennessee association budget".
The board treasurer typically oversees the HOA budget with support from the board and a property management company like FirstService Residential.

Learn more about Tennessee HOA budgeting here.

Board member queries

Running an HOA board meeting involves setting an agenda, facilitating discussions, recording minutes, and making decisions within the framework of the governing documents.

Learn more about Tennessee HOA board meetings here.
Board meeting rules outline procedures for conducting meetings, including setting the agenda, voting processes, and providing order during discussions.

Learn more about association board meetings here.
Association meeting minutes are written records of discussions, decisions, and actions taken during HOA or board meetings.

Learn more in our guide, "HOA meeting minutes template: Everything you need to know".
Common board positions include president, vice president, treasurer, secretary, and members-at-large, each fulfilling specific duties within the HOA.

Learn more about HOA board positions and roles here.
Board members manage community operations, enforce rules, oversee finances, and make decisions aimed at preserving and enhancing property values.

Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of your Tennessee board here.
A board meeting is a formal session where HOA board members discuss and vote on community-related matters, often with input from residents.

Learn more about Tennessee association meetings here.
An HOA treasurer is responsible for overseeing the financial operations of an association, including managing budgets, reserves, and financial reports.

Learn more about the role of an HOA treasurer here.

Resident queries

You can order association documents and certificates here.
 
You can pay association and HOA fees online by visiting our "Make a Payment" page here.
 
You can find your HOA or community website on our page here.