Tennessee Foreclosure Law Changes: What to Know

Tennessee foreclosure laws changed effective July 1, 2025. Here’s what’s new, and how it may affect TN real estate transactions. Local foreclosure law changes primarily affect how (and for how long) foreclosures are advertised. Let’s take a closer look

What are the Foreclosure Law Changes?

The amended Tennessee Code Annotated, § 35-5-101 changes the foreclosure process in Tennessee in a few important ways:

• The requirement for advertising foreclosure sales in a local (print) newspaper has been reduced from three times to two.

• Notices are now required to be posted as a continuous 20-day online advertisement by a  third-party internet posting company who has been thus registered with the Secretary of State. [These companies are required to notify the Secretary of State of any changes to their website to avoid liability.]

• If sales are postponed within one year, they can proceed without additional newspaper ads if rescheduled dates are announced both online and at the original location. 

• If postponed for more than 30 days, a notice of postponement must be mailed at least 10 days before the new date.

Why Did the Law Change?

Reducing the requirements from three notices to two is less expensive. [Some papers charge upwards of $1000 per foreclosure notice. With fewer people reading the paper, and paper circulation and printing sometimes inconsistent, the old system wasn’t serving the public as effectively, either. Bringing things into the digital age is an attempt to add value and reduce red tape for all parties involved.

Double-Check Your Documents

Of course, TN foreclosure law changes don’t magically change documents written before the new law took effect. The Tennessee Bankers’ Association, who was instrumental in getting the new legislation passed, reminds everyone to: “...[C]heck their deeds of trust carefully. Many DOTs contain specific language requiring three advertisements in a newspaper, and the new law does not override that—those notices must still be published three times.”

Less Stress, More Clarity? We’ve Got Your Back

We know foreclosures are never easy, even with more simplified laws. Blue Note Title is here to help navigate the ins and outs of foreclosure law so you can focus on moving things forward. Have questions about a foreclosure in Tennessee? Book a consultation with our team today and get the answers you need.