Tennessee Foreclosure Law Summary

Quick Facts

- Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes
- Non-Judicial Foreclosure Available: Yes
- Primary Security Instruments: Deed of Trust, Mortgage
- Timeline: Typically 60 days
- Right of Redemption: Yes
- Deficiency Judgments Allowed: Yes

In Tennessee, lenders may foreclose on deeds of trusts or mortgages in default using either a judicial or non-judicial foreclosure process.

Judicial Foreclosure

The judicial foreclosure process is one in which the lender must file a complaint against the borrower and obtain a decree of sale from a court having jurisdiction in the county where the property is located before foreclosure proceedings can begin. Generally, if the court finds the borrower in default, they will give them a set period of time to pay the delinquent amount, plus costs. If the borrower does not pay within the set period of time, the court will then order the property to be sold.

Non-Judicial Foreclosure

The non-judicial process of foreclosure is used when a power of sale clause exists in a mortgage or deed of trust. A "power of sale" clause is the clause in a deed of trust or mortgage, in which the borrower pre-authorizes the sale of property to pay off the balance on a loan in the event of the their default. In deeds of trust or mortgages where a power of sale exists, the power given to the lender to sell the property may be executed by the lender or their representative, typically referred to as the trustee. Regulations for this type of foreclosure process are outlined below in the "Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines".

Power of Sale Foreclosure Guidelines

If the deed of trust or mortgage contains a power of sale clause and specifies the time, place and terms of sale, then the specified procedure must be followed. Otherwise, the non-judicial power of sale foreclosure is carried out as follows:

1. A notice of sale must be published at least three (3) different times in a newspaper published in the county where the sale is to be made, with the first publication appearing at least twenty (20) days prior to the sale.
   
   
2. Unless otherwise ordered, if no newspaper is published in said county, the notice of sale must be posted at least thirty (30) days in advance of the sale in at least five (5) public places within the county. At least one of these notices must be placed at the courthouse door and another in the neighborhood of the property itself.
   
   
3. A notice of sale must also be served upon the borrower at least twenty (20) days prior to the date of sale if the borrower is in possession of the property.
   
   
4. The sale must be held between the hours of 10:00 am and 4:00 pm for cash to the highest bidder. The sheriff of each county in the state of Tennessee may set a minimum acceptable price for the property as long as the price is equal to or greater than fifty percent (50%) of the fair market value.
   
   
5. The successful bidder at the foreclosure sale will receive a certificate of sale and may be entitled to receive a deed once the borrowers right of redemption has expired.

Deficiency judgments are allowed in Tennessee and the borrower has a period of two (2) years to redeem the property, unless their right of redemption was waived in the original deed of trust.