At a Glance
| Question | Answer | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Security deposit limit? | No statutory limit | Landlords may charge any amount |
| Rent control? | No | No statewide or local rent control |
| Required notice to raise rent? | 60 days | For month-to-month tenancies |
| Lease required in writing? | Yes, for leases > 1 year | Oral leases valid for shorter terms |
| Landlord entry notice? | No statute | Reasonable notice implied by case law |
Security Deposits
Georgia does not impose a statutory limit on the amount a landlord may collect as a security deposit. However, the state does regulate how deposits must be handled and returned.
Landlords who own more than 10 rental units or who use a property management company must place security deposits in an escrow account at a state or federally regulated depository. Landlords who own 10 or fewer units and manage them personally are exempt from the escrow requirement but must still comply with return and accounting rules.
Landlords must provide tenants with a written list of pre-existing damage to the unit before collecting the deposit. The deposit must be returned within 30 days of the tenant vacating, along with an itemized statement of any deductions.
cite: Ga. Code § 44-7-30 to § 44-7-37
Eviction Procedures
Georgia requires landlords to follow specific legal procedures to evict a tenant. Self-help evictions (changing locks, shutting off utilities, removing belongings) are illegal.
Notice Requirements
- Demand for possession: Georgia law does not require a specific notice period for nonpayment of rent. The landlord may demand immediate possession once rent is past due
- Lease violation: No specific statutory cure period is required; the lease terms govern
- No-cause termination: Month-to-month tenancies require 60 days' notice from either party
- Immediate eviction: For criminal activity or serious threats to the property or other tenants
After demanding possession, the landlord must file a dispossessory affidavit with the magistrate court. The tenant has 7 days after service to answer the complaint.
cite: Ga. Code § 44-7-50 to § 44-7-55
Rent Control
Georgia does not have any rent control laws at the state or local level. Landlords may increase rent by any amount, provided the increase is made in accordance with the lease terms and proper notice is given for month-to-month tenancies (60 days).
Rent increases may not be imposed as retaliation against tenants who have exercised their legal rights, although Georgia's retaliation protections are more limited than in many other states.
cite: Ga. Code § 44-7-30 et seq.
Lease Agreements
Georgia does not require a written lease for tenancies of one year or less. Any lease for longer than one year must be in writing to be enforceable. While oral leases are permitted for shorter terms, written agreements are recommended to clearly document the terms of the tenancy.
Required Disclosures
Georgia landlords must provide the following disclosures:
- Lead-based paint (pre-1978 properties)
- Move-in inspection: A written list of pre-existing damage before collecting a security deposit
- Flooding: Whether the unit has been flooded three or more times in the past five years
- Owner/agent identity: The name and address of the owner, agent, and anyone authorized to manage the property or receive legal notices
- Mold: Known presence of hazardous mold (recommended best practice)
cite: Ga. Code § 44-7-30 to § 44-7-37
Tenant Rights
Georgia provides the following protections for tenants:
- Habitability: Landlords must maintain rental units in compliance with applicable building and housing codes, including working plumbing, heating, electricity, and structural integrity
- Retaliation protection: Georgia law provides limited protection against retaliatory evictions, primarily for tenants who report code violations to government authorities
- Discrimination protection: Fair housing laws prohibit discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, and other protected categories under the Georgia Fair Housing Act
- Right to privacy: While Georgia does not have a specific statutory entry notice requirement, case law implies landlords must give reasonable notice before entering a tenant's unit
- Repair and deduct: Georgia does not have a statutory repair-and-deduct remedy; tenants must rely on other legal remedies such as reporting code violations or withholding rent under limited circumstances