§ 12-24-4 — Work on sidewalks by tenants

Sec. 12-24-4. - Work on sidewalks by tenants.

The duties and obligations imposed by this chapter and chapter 12-28 on the owners of property abutting on any public street to build, repair, and keep clean and open for public passage, public sidewalks and walkways, shall also devolve upon the tenant or other person occupying the premises adjacent to such sidewalks. Notice to such tenant or occupant in the manner hereinbefore specified shall be sufficient to compel him or her to do the things specified in such notice; provided, that whenever any tenant or occupant shall be required under the provisions of this chapter and chapter 12-28 to build, repair, and keep clean and open for public passage any sidewalk or walkway abutting his or her premises, such tenant or occupant shall have a lien on such property occupied for reimbursement and reasonable attorney's fees, if the primary obligation to do such was on the landlord. This lien may be enforced by attachment proceedings in any court of competent jurisdiction and the tenant or occupant may, when so entitled under the general principles of law of set-off, use such claims against his or her liability for rent, all in accordance with the provisions of section 1 of chapter 163 of the Acts of the General Assembly of the State of Tennessee for 1889.

(Code 1967, § 36-106; Code 1985, § 34-119; Ord. No. 894, § 1, 4-6-1971)