Build the rental file first
Gather the signed lease and amendments, rent ledger, deposit records, repair history, open notices, insurance and mortgage information. Record whether the tenant is current, whether any court matter is pending, and who is authorized to communicate. Keep personal and payment information secure; provide only what a legitimate transaction requires.
Compare an occupied sale, a later sale and keeping the property
An occupied sale may suit a buyer willing to take on the rental arrangements. Waiting may create time for repairs or an orderly lease transition, but also adds holding costs and uncertainty. Keeping the property means a real budget for vacancies, maintenance, capital repairs and management. Ask which obligations and risks remain with you under each proposal.
A sale plan is not an eviction plan
Do not assume a sale ends a lease or permits immediate possession. Tennessee landlord–tenant rules and procedures depend on the jurisdiction and facts. Do not change locks, interrupt utilities or remove belongings to force a move. Get qualified legal guidance about notices, entry, deposits and possession, especially if a dispute or court case already exists.
Plan access and communication
Agree on a lawful process for photos, inspections and visits with appropriate notice and respect for privacy. Identify one contact for scheduling. Tell a prospective buyer what access is and is not available; do not invent a vacant-delivery date. An accurate occupied-property plan is more useful than a promise that cannot be met.
Put the handoff in the documents
Have the closing professional and your adviser address the leases, rents and deposits, any prorations, keys, notices, open repairs and who handles the next tenant communication. Ask who owns each obligation before and after closing. If vacant possession is required, confirm the lawful process and realistic timing before signing that commitment.
Your next step
Choose one result: a net-proceeds comparison, an occupied-sale proposal, a repair plan or a legal review of the tenancy. Write the owner and follow-up date. For broader home-selling questions use our safe-closing guide; for an unsafe-property or permit notice use the code guide. You do not need to contact a cash buyer to take either step.