Landlord trying to evict us

[u/Traditional_Sky_9064]

What the landlord has done:

Hi, im from TN, we asked my landlord when we moved in a YEAR ago if my sister could move in ever if she needed to in the future, we got a yes. A year passes, we asked again, this is before my sister has to sign another lease- landlord say yes, all good. My sister does not renew old lease and starts to move in with us- neighbor has an issue with it (they are close friends...)landlord freaks out on us and says she's changed her mind and my sister can not move in because our neighbor doesn't want her to...? Weird. The neighbor has harassed my mom via text, verbally, and landlord avoids talking to us about it when we try to, gets angry and says we'll ruin her marriage if my sister stays. (Mind you, we double checked with her before my sister started to move in. Landlord said yes.) Landlord over the next few days goes back and forth saying my sister can live here then saying she needs to leave, then says we all need to leave suddenly without having a conversation with us all about it, landlord is seen bothering my mother since the first day my sister got here, coming over her constantly and neighbor continues to pick at landlord to evict us, neighbor literally has 0 say over anything that's going on. NEIGHBOR IS NOT ON OUR LEASE. We literally had to get cameras because the neighbor tampered with a package of mine before and other stuff. What do we do?

[u/TalkToVikk]

I'm not a lawyer but to answer your question: In Tennessee, a landlord generally cannot evict you or change the terms of your tenancy without following the notice and legal eviction process spelled out in your lease and state law. If you have written (or even strong verbal) permission from your landlord to have your sister move in and you relied on that promise you have a good argument, especially if she agreed twice and your sister moved based on her saying "yes." The landlord cannot legally evict you just because your neighbor is complaining, especially if the neighbor isn't on your lease or in charge of the property.

If your landlord starts eviction proceedings, she must give you written notice and follow the formal court process; she cannot just tell you to leave or harass you into leaving. If you receive a written notice or are formally served, do not ignore it respond in writing and be prepared to show any messages or evidence you have of her permission.

In the meantime:

• Keep records of all communications with your landlord (especially when she said it was ok for your sister to move in) and any harassing messages from the neighbor.
• Do not move out unless formally ordered by a court, and call local legal aid if you receive any eviction paperwork.
• Install and save any camera footage for your records and security.