KnoxLeaseLaw.com
The Legal Website for Knox County Property Owners and Managers
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The Legal Website for Knox County Property Owners and Managers
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What is a Judgment For “Possession Only”?Sometimes the judgment in a detainer
case is issued for “possession only”. Ordinarily in a detainer case, the
landlord would get judgment for possession and
a money judgment for back rent and damage to the property. With a judgment for
“possession only”, the landlord gets a judgment for possession of the
property, but does not get judgment for back rent or damages. The judgment for “possession only”
happens when the sheriff is unable to obtain “personal service” on the
defendant. Due process ordinarily requires any legal process, including a
detainer warrant, to be “personally served” on the defendant. That
ordinarily means actually putting the warrant in the defendant’s hands. This
requirement ensures that the defendant is given notice of the proceedings so
that he may appear and defend himself. In a Tennessee detainer case, the law
also permits service of process upon “any adult person found in possession of
the premises.” However, it is sometimes difficult or impossible for the
sheriff to find the delinquent tenant or any responsible person at the premises
or to serve process on such person. For that reason, the Tennessee detainer
statutes permit a detainer case to proceed without personal service under
certain limited circumstances. To proceed without personal service,
the sheriff must first make three unsuccessful attempts at personal service in a
ten-day period. Importantly, these three attempts must be documented on the face
of the warrant. After the third attempt, the sheriff may post a copy of the
warrant on the door of the property and
mail a copy of the warrant to the defendant at his last known address (usually
the property itself). Further, the trial date must be set at least ten days
after the date of posting and mailing. (Ordinarily, the trial date may be set
not less than six days from the date of service.) This method of service of
process is considered to be sufficient for purposes of determining the right to
possession of the property, and permits the landlord to get judgment for
“possession only.” However, it is not considered sufficient for purposes of
getting a money judgment for back rent or damage to the property. After a
judgment for “possession only”, the landlord is permitted to file an
additional action to collect the back rent and damages, but he will have to
obtain personal service on the defendant before he can get a valid judgment. The “possession only” procedure is
beneficial for obvious reasons. The prime objective in a detainer case is
usually obtaining possession of the property so that it can be re-rented.
Obtaining a judgment for back rent and damages is usually only a secondary
objective. The “possession only” procedure permits the prime objective to
proceed on a “fast track,” while preserving the landlord’s right to pursue
the secondary objective whenever the tenant can be found. The information contained on this site is intended to educate members of the public generally and is not intended to provide solutions to individual legal problems. Readers are cautioned not to attempt to solve individual problems on the basis of information contained herein and are strongly advised to seek competent legal counsel before relying on information on this site. |
This site is maintained by Vowell & Associates, Attorneys at Law, 6718 Albunda Drive, Knoxville TN 37919, Tel. 865-292-0000, Fax 865-292-0002, email don@vowell-law.com.KnoxLeaseLaw, Knoxleaselaw.com and
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