Tennessee Code Title 68. Health, Safety and Environmental Protection § 68-111-105

(a) No tenant shall be dispossessed of the rented premises or otherwise penalized by the landlord of the premises for prosecuting any complaint under or pursuant to this chapter, or for payment to the county clerk of rental payments where the rented premises are in violation of the standard, as defined pursuant to § 68-111-102.

(b) In the event it is necessary to temporarily vacate the premises to carry out repairs, the landlord may get temporary possession from the tenant, and the tenant's rent shall be abated during this period and resume upon the tenant's moving back into the premises.

(c) In the event the conditions are such that to repair the building is not feasible, the landlord shall notify the tenant and the agency to which the complaint was directed that the landlord has elected not to repair the structure and shall give the tenant thirty (30) days' notice to vacate the premises. Thereafter, the premises shall not be rented or used as a human habitation, unless and until the condition of violation is corrected.