Security deposits, generally
Most rental agreements, co-living included, involve a security deposit paid at move-in, intended to cover potential damage beyond normal wear and tear, or unpaid amounts owed at move-out. How much is charged, what it can be used for, and how and when it's returned are all governed by the specific terms of your lease and by applicable state law.
Tennessee's landlord-tenant framework, including deposit handling, is shaped in part by the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act, which applies in certain counties based on population, including Hamilton County, where Chattanooga is located. The exact rules and timelines can be detailed, so we'd always point you to your actual lease first, and to a legal resource if you have questions beyond what your lease spells out.
Notice periods, generally
"Notice period" refers to how much advance warning a resident needs to give before moving out, or a landlord needs to give before ending a tenancy under certain conditions. Required notice periods vary by lease structure and by state and local law; there's no single universal number that applies everywhere.
Your specific notice requirement will be spelled out in your lease. If it's not clear, ask before you sign.
Move-out, generally
A typical move-out process involves giving proper notice, leaving the room in the condition described in your lease (accounting for normal wear and tear), and a walkthrough or inspection before your deposit is returned or accounted for. The specific process, timeline for deposit return, and any documentation involved will again come down to your lease and applicable law.
The one thing that's always true
Whatever you've read here or anywhere else, your actual lease is the document that governs your specific situation. Read it fully before you sign, ask questions about anything that's unclear, and don't rely on general information, including this post, as a substitute for that.