Cheatham County, TN Property Records: Search Deeds, Owners, Tax Records, and Maps

With an estimated population of 41,000 residents, Cheatham County is located in middle Tennessee. The county has about 23,000 individual land parcels across 302 square miles of land. The management of land and property records is split between designated county offices. These offices include the Register of Deeds, Assessor of Property, and Trustee.

Homes in Cheatham County typically go pending in about 65 days. Employment, retail trade, construction, and its proximity to Nashville are the key economic drivers that support local housing demand. Single-family detached homes make up a large share of the housing inventory in communities such as Ashland City, Kingston Springs, Pegram, and Pleasant View.

Recent housing records reveal the underlying factors influencing the local real estate market, with a median home value of $306,000 and a median rent of $1,171, alongside a median household income of $85,446 and a median real estate tax of 0.54, expressed as a percentage of the property’s assessed value.

How to Look Up Cheatham County Property Records

Anyone can access property records in Cheatham County through designated offices. Each is responsible for a different role:

Who Keeps Cheatham County Property Records

Anyone can access property documents in Cheatham County in accordance with the state’s Public Records Act. These offices share the responsibilities, with each handling different parts:

• The Cheatham County Register of Deeds is the official custodian of all recorded land documents, including deeds, deeds of trust, liens, plats, and other instruments affecting real property. Keep in mind that the register of deeds does not determine the assessed value of a property. Also, it does not issue property tax bills or give legal advice concerning real estate.

• Whether you are verifying property ownership or checking an assessed value, theCheatham County Assessor of Property can help. This office identifies and values every taxable property in the county. It also maintains ownership and assessment records and tax maps, and assigns a Map-Group-Parcel number to each parcel.

• The Cheatham County Trustee collects property taxes and maintains tax-payment records. The Trustee's office is also responsible for administering applicable property-tax programs in the county. Cheatham County identifies the Trustee as a separate county official from the Register of Deeds and Assessor.

How to Search Cheatham County Property Records Online

You can begin your Cheatham County property record search online using the designated resources. Follow these steps to find the records you need:

1. To begin, start with the Assessor’s Property Look-Up portal. Select Cheatham County and search the platform using the property address, owner's name, or parcel ID to locate the desired parcel. The search results reveal information such as ownership details, property characteristics, and other assessment information.
2. Once you have identified the property, contact the Cheatham County Register of Deeds office in person or by phone at (615) 792-4317. You can view or obtain copies of recorded documents from this office. These records include deeds, deeds of trust, liens, plats, and other instruments affecting the use or ownership of real property.
3. You can confirm ownership by comparing the most recently recorded deed with the current assessment records. Review earlier recorded deeds to trace the property’s ownership history, and ensure that the grantor’s name listed on one deed matches the grantee’s name on the previous deed. Any gap in the chain of title is a red flag, which may indicate additional title research.
4. Also, you can check the same Register’s office for outstanding deeds of trust, releases, liens, plats, and other instruments that can affect the ownership of a property. Keep in mind that the sworn value shown on a deed does not show the property’s last sale price. Rather, it is used for tax purposes.
5. Finally, you can confirm the property tax status via the Trustee’s Tax Search webpage. Using this portal, anyone can review tax information, payment history, and tax bills.

Register of Deeds: Deeds, Deeds of Trust, and Plats

The Cheatham County Register of Deeds serves as the official custodian of recorded land documents. It handles documents that include deeds, deeds of trust, mortgages, liens, and other instruments that affect the use and ownership of property in Cheatham County. In addition, the county Register of Deeds is responsible for collecting recordation taxes when qualifying documents are recorded.

You can access historical land records in Cheatham County dating back to 1856 to the present through an in-person visit to the Register of Deeds.

Assessor of Property: Ownership, Values, and Parcel Data

In Cheatham County, the Assessor of Property handles the appraisal and valuation of every taxable property. Also, the office assigns a Map-Group-Parcel number to every parcel and links it to the records system. You can use the Property Look-Up portal to find information that concerns the current owner of a property, ownership value, and other assessment-related documents.

County Trustee: Tax Bills and Payments

The Cheatham County Trustee is responsible for all records of property tax bills. The Trustee also administers tax relief programs to eligible applicants. Keep in mind that the fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30, while property taxes are based on the current calendar year.

Property Tax in Cheatham County: Classification, Exemptions, and Appeals

A property tax bill is based on the assessed value of the property and the tax rates set by local governments. The Cheatham County Assessor of Property determines the appraised value of a property. Tennessee law applies an assessment ratio based on the property's classification. Residential and farm property is assessed at 25% of its appraised value, while commercial and industrial property is assessed at 40%.

How the bill is figured

The basis for calculating property taxes in Cheatham County is the appraised value multiplied by the applicable assessment ratio, which gives the assessed value. Then, the assessed value is divided by 100 and multiplied by the applicable tax rate. The tax rate is set by the appropriate local government. It can vary depending on whether the property is subject to the county rate alone or to additional rates imposed by a municipality.

Exemptions and relief

Appealing your value

If you believe the Assessor has appraised your property above its actual fair market value, you should first discuss the assessment with the Assessor. You should provide additional evidence such as comparable sales to support your claim. If the issue is not resolved after speaking with the Assessor, you may appeal to the Cheatham County Board of Equalization. The county states that the Board begins meeting on the first day of June each year. If the board’s decision remains unfavorable, you may appeal the matter to the Tennessee State Board of Equalization.

GIS Maps and Parcel Viewer

You can use the GIS Viewer or TNMap systems to view Cheatham County parcels and connect a property to its Map-Group-Parcel identifier. The viewer provides a statewide parcel-mapping resource that can help you locate a Cheatham County property and view its parcel boundaries. It also provides details such as streets, aerial imagery, zoning information, and other geographic data.

Foreclosure and Tax Sales

Foreclosure processes in Cheatham County typically fall into deed-of-trust foreclosure or a delinquent-tax sale.

Deed-of-trust foreclosure

When a borrower defaults on a deed of trust, the trustee named in the document may begin foreclosure proceedings according to the terms of the deed of trust and Tennessee law. A foreclosure sale may occur without a court judgment when the deed of trust allows a nonjudicial sale and the required notices are provided. Keep in mind that the foreclosure trustee is different from the Cheatham County Trustee. The county Trustee collects property taxes and maintains tax-payment records. On the other hand, the trustee named in a deed of trust handles the foreclosure of that security instrument.

Delinquent-tax sale

When Cheatham County property taxes remain unpaid, the county may pursue collection through the courts. The Cheatham County Chancery Court and Clerk & Master handle the court-related process for delinquent-tax sales in accordance with T.C.A. 67-5-2501. Be aware that Tennessee does not use the tax-lien certificate system found in some states. Instead, delinquent property can be sold through the statutory tax-sale process. After a tax sale is confirmed, an eligible property owner may have a right to redeem the property by paying the required taxes, interest, and other amounts. The redemption period is generally one year when the property has been delinquent for three years or less and 90 days when the period of delinquency is more than three years.

Costs to Access Property Records

You can record or obtain copies of Cheatham County property records for a nominal fee:

How to Record a Document

If you want to record an instrument in Cheatham County, make sure it meets Tennessee's recording requirements:

• Prepare the document: You should ensure that the document is prepared in accordance with the state’s recording requirements. This should include the required signatures, notarization, legal description, the preparer's information, and formatting requirements. Additionally, the first page should be prepared with 3-inch top and bottom margins and 1-inch side margins.

• State the property value: For a deed conveying real property, state the required consideration or value information. Pay the applicable realty transfer tax unless the transaction qualifies for an exemption. The Cheatham County Register of Deeds collects the realty transfer tax on taxable property transfers. If a transfer qualifies for an exemption, the applicable exemption should be stated on the document when it is presented for recording.

• Submit the document: Once the document is complete, submit it to the Cheatham County Register of Deeds for recording. You can submit in person or electronically through approved recording providers such as CSC, Simplifile, and ePN.

• Obtain a copy of the recorded document: After the document is recorded, the original is returned to you. To obtain a copy of the recorded instrument, contact or visit the Cheatham County Register of Deeds.

FAQs

Quick Reference: Your Cheatham County Property Records Checklist

Key Contacts and Official Portals