How To Search for Knoxville Property Records

Knoxville's growing economy and college-town energy attract steady investment. However, you should always check property records before making any real estate investments. They contain key details, including ownership history, appraised values, liens, taxes, zoning classifications, foreclosures, amenities, and other essential information, which can help you conduct due diligence. Knoxville property records are public, meaning anyone can view them or request copies. The key is knowing where to look. Below are some valuable resources you can use to find different types of Knoxville property records.

Knox County Register of Deeds

The Knox County Register of Deeds is the official keeper of records that relate to property ownership in Knoxville. These include deeds, mortgages, liens, plats, easements, releases, and other similar real estate documents. The Register of Deeds provides a public access tool for searching this information online; however, it is a subscription-based service, meaning that you need to register a user account and pay set-up/access fees to use the tool. You can also search records and request copies in person at the Register of Deeds Office, located at Suite 225, 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. Note that fees may apply. You can call the office at (865) 215-2330 for more information.

Knox County Property Assessor

The Knox County Property Assessor is responsible for listing, classifying, and valuing all real property in Knoxville for tax purposes. The assessor's office is a key source for information on a property's ownership, characteristics, assessed and appraised values, sales history, and much more. You can search for this information online using the Assessor's property search tool. You can search using several criteria, including name, parcel ID, address, property type, and subdivision; advanced searches offer additional options for refining results, like sales date, tax year, and appraised value. In-person services are also available at the assessor's office, located at Suite 204, 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902. You can call the office at (865) 215-2360 for more information.

Knox County Trustee

The Knox County Trustee handles the collection of county property taxes for Knoxville. This office is another excellent resource for property records, including tax bills, balances, payment histories, ownership information, and much more. You can find out the current/owed balances on a property using the Trustee's property tax lookup tool. The office offers access to a separate property maps tool that you can use to get detailed property information and visualize locations/property boundaries. You can also visit the Trustee's main office at 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902, to access records in person or call (865) 215-2305 for general questions and assistance.

City of Knoxville Revenue Office

The City of Knoxville Revenue Office collects city property taxes (separate from the taxes collected by the Knox County Trustee). This office maintains information on city-level taxes and billing, including amounts levied and owed, payment histories, special assessments, and city liens. You can search for this information by name, address, or property ID online using the office's city tax search tool. You can also visit the office at Room 453, 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902, for in-person services, or call them at (865) 215-2084 for inquiries.

Knox County Courts

You can also obtain property records, particularly those related to legal matters such as foreclosures, liens, title disputes, and landlord/tenant cases, through the Knox County Court System. The court system is made up of several courts, each responsible for different types of cases. While there isn't a centralized online platform for case searches, you can contact the court clerks at 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902 to search for and request copies of records in person. Note that copy fees may apply. You can call any of these numbers for more information:

• Chancery Court Clerk and Master: (865) 215-2555, (865) 215-3015.
• Clerk of Circuit Court: (865) 215-2400.

Knoxville property taxes fund various critical local services, including public schools, police and fire departments, emergency services, parks, road and infrastructure maintenance, libraries, and community programs. The Knox County Property Assessor is responsible for listing, classifying, and determining the market value of properties in the city. Meanwhile, the Knox County Trustee and Knoxville Revenue Office oversee tax payment collections. Property valuations for residential properties are based on comparable sales, while commercial and industrial properties are valued using a combination of the cost, market, and income approaches. Once a property's market value has been determined, it is multiplied by a state-determined assessment ratio: 25% for residential and farm properties and 40% for commercial and industrial properties. This assessed value is used for tax calculations, with reassessments conducted every four years.

Tax bills are typically mailed in September, and payments are due by the last day of February of the following year. The Knoxville Revenue Office offers a 1% discount to property owners who pay the city portion of their taxes before October 31st. All unpaid taxes (city and county) become delinquent on March 1st and begin accruing interest from this date. Properties with long-term unpaid taxes may eventually be subject to a tax sale. There are several options for paying property taxes in Knoxville, including online (by e-check or card with a convenience fee), by mail, or in person. You can call the Knox County Trustee at (865) 215-2305 and the Knoxville Revenue Office at (865) 215-2084 for assistance.

Assessments

The Knox County Property Assessor's Office assesses properties in Knoxville to determine their value. A property's assessed value is derived by multiplying its appraised market value by a state-mandated assessment ratio: 25% for residential and farm property and 40% for commercial and industrial property. These assessments are the foundation for tax calculations. The assessor's office reassesses properties every four years through countywide reappraisals. Assessed values generally remain the same between reappraisals, unless there are significant property changes, like new construction, demolition, or major remodeling/renovations.

The assessor's office typically mails valuation notices to property owners around April, informing them of their property's assessed value. If you disagree with your assessment, you may first request an informal review with the Assessor's Office. If unresolved, you can file a formal appeal with the Knox County Board of Equalization. The appeal deadline is usually around mid-to-late May (exact dates are announced yearly). You can call the assessor's office at (865) 215-2360 for more information or help filing an appeal.

Appraisals

Knoxville assessments work similarly to appraisals. They both determine the fair market value of property by comparing it with similar properties that have sold recently in the local area. In cases of odd structures or new construction, the county may call upon an appraiser to help determine the value. Estate planners, courts, and lenders also use appraisals to value real property.

Tax Rates

Knoxville, Tennessee, has a median effective tax rate of 0.39%, significantly lower than both the national median of 1.02% and Tennessee's state median of 0.64%. The city's average annual tax bill is $1,174, which is also much lower than the national average of $2,400.

Here's a look at how Knoxville's tax rate compares to other counties in Tennessee:

• Cumberland County 0.28%
• Davidson County 0.95%
• Decatur County 0.65%
• Greene County 0.41%
• Hamilton County 0.56%
• Loudon County 0.38%
• Marshall County 0.45%
• Obion County 0.47%
• Pickett County 0.60%
• Rutherford County 0.60%
• Shelby County 1.52%
• Sumner County 0.76%
• Trousdale County 0.49%

Exemptions

While Knoxville's property tax rate is much lower than the national average, some residents may still find it difficult to make tax payments. Fortunately, there are available programs that can help ease the tax burden for qualifying homeowners. These include:

• Property Tax Relief Program: Available to low-income elderly or disabled homeowners, as well as disabled veterans and their surviving spouses. This program reimburses part or all of their property taxes.
• Property Tax Freeze: Available to homeowners aged 65 and older who meet a specific maximum combined annual income limit. It freezes their property taxes at a base amount, protecting them from future increases.

You can contact the Knox County Trustee's Office at (865) 215-8554 and (865) 215-2305 to learn more about available property tax programs and for assistance with applying.

Permits are required to construct new buildings, alter or renovate existing buildings, or demolish structures in Knoxville. Cosmetic work, such as painting, carpeting, or wallpapering, is usually exempt. The Knoxville Plans Review and Inspections Department manages the city's permitting process. You can use the department's online permitting site to apply for necessary permits (account registration is required). Building plan submission and inspection scheduling can also be done through this site. If you prefer in-person services, you can visit the department at Suite 475, 400 Main Street, Knoxville, TN 37902, or call (865) 215-4311 for general information and inquiries.

Common types of permits issued in Knoxville include:

• Residential Building Permits: For constructing, adding to, altering, or demolishing residential buildings (single-family homes and townhouses).
• Commercial Building Permits: For constructing, adding to, altering, or demolishing multi-family structures and non-residential buildings.
• Electrical Permits: For installing, repairing, upgrading, or replacing electrical systems.
• Mechanical Permits: For HVAC and gas piping installations and modifications.
• Low Voltage Permits: For installing or modifying low-voltage electrical systems in a commercial building, including audiovisual wiring, cable systems, IT wiring, burglar alarm systems, and other wiring or systems that operate on less than 120 volts.
• Plumbing Permits: For all plumbing work, including connections from utility water and waste lines to the home. It also covers installations involving gas piping and gas-powered water heaters.

When applying for any of these permits, you must submit the proper documentation (building plans, blueprints, contractor licenses, materials lists, etc.). You must also pay the appropriate fee.

Building inspections are part of the permit process, and they ensure that the work complies with local building and safety codes. You can schedule an inspection through the online portal or in person at the office during regular business hours.

Located on the Tennessee River within the Appalachians, Knoxville is Tennessee's third-largest city and the largest in the East Tennessee Grand Division. Originally the state's first capital, the city is home to the University of Tennessee's flagship campus and its beloved Volunteers football team. It's also recognized for attractions like the Sunsphere, the Knoxville Museum of Art, the Tennessee Theatre, and its proximity to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Knoxville, Tennessee, has a population of 190,740 residents. The city has 99,290 housing units, of which 88% are occupied and 48% are owner-occupied. The city offers a broad range of housing options, including single-family homes, townhouses, apartments, condominiums, duplexes, triplexes, and affordable housing units. Common housing styles include Craftsman, Tudor Revival, Victorian, American Foursquare, Ranch, Shotgun House, and Modern Farmhouse. The average price of a home in Knoxville, TN, is $365,771, representing a 0.3% increase from previous years. Note that actual home prices can vary considerably depending on the neighborhood in Knoxville. Here are some examples:

• College Hills $176,854
• Fort Sanders $439,438
• Mechanicsville $215,921
• Oakwood $245,252
• Pond Gap $225,325
• West Haven Village $306,700

The Knoxville, Tennessee, real estate market is moderately competitive. Inventory across the city is rising, giving buyers more options, while home prices continue to appreciate modestly year-over-year, indicating stability. Homes typically go under contract within 21 days of listing, with around 21% of listed homes selling above the asking price.