Georgia Landlord-Tenant Law Guide
Key landlord-tenant laws in Georgia covering security deposits, notice requirements, evictions, and maintenance obligations under Georgia’s Landlord-Tenant Act.
Legal Disclaimer
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently — verify current requirements with a local attorney. Information was last reviewed on 2026-03-19.
Security Deposits
- Maximum Amount
- No statutory maximum. Landlords may charge any amount.
- Return Deadline
- 30 days after the tenant vacates. Landlord must inspect the unit within 3 business days of the tenant’s departure.
- Itemized Deduction Requirements
- Landlord must provide an itemized list of deductions. For properties with more than 10 units, the landlord must place the deposit in an escrow account and notify the tenant of the account’s location.
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Notice Requirements
- Entry Notice
- No specific statutory requirement for advance notice of entry. Landlords are generally expected to provide reasonable notice.
- Lease Termination Notice
- 60 days’ notice for a tenancy at will. For fixed-term leases, no notice is required at the end of the lease term unless the lease specifies otherwise.
- Rent Increase Notice
- No specific statutory requirement. Rent increases are governed by the lease agreement. For periodic tenancies, reasonable advance notice is expected.
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Rent Rules
- Rent Control
- No rent control. Georgia has no statewide rent control and no local jurisdictions with rent control ordinances.
- Late Fee Regulations
- No statutory cap. Late fees must be specified in the lease. Georgia courts have generally upheld reasonable late fees.
- Payment Methods
- No specific statutory requirements. Payment methods are governed by the lease.
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Eviction Process
- Notice to Quit/Cure Period
- Landlord must provide a demand for possession before filing an eviction. Georgia does not require a specific number of days’ notice for nonpayment — the landlord can file a dispossessory proceeding once rent is late.
- Court Filing
- Dispossessory affidavit filed in Magistrate Court. Tenant is served and has 7 days to answer. If the tenant does not answer, a writ of possession may be issued.
- Estimated Timeline
- Approximately 2–4 weeks for uncontested cases. Contested cases may take 1–2 months.
Maintenance & Habitability
- Implied Warranty of Habitability
- Georgia does not have a broadly applied implied warranty of habitability by statute. However, landlords must comply with local building and housing codes. The Georgia Court of Appeals has recognized limited habitability requirements in some cases.
- Repair Response Requirements
- Landlords must make repairs as required by the lease and applicable housing codes. There is no specific statutory repair timeline.
- Tenant Remedies
- Tenants may report code violations to local authorities, pursue lease remedies, or in some cases seek damages. Georgia does not have a statutory repair-and-deduct remedy.
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Lease Requirements
- Required Disclosures
- Lead-based paint disclosure (pre-1978 buildings)
- Authorized agent for service of process and maintenance (§44-7-3)
- Previous flooding of the unit (if known, per §44-7-20)
- Move-in / move-out inspection list
- Lease Term Requirements
- No statutory restrictions on lease length. Leases for more than 1 year should be in writing per the Statute of Frauds.
- Required Clauses
- No specific mandatory lease clauses. Landlords of properties with 10+ units must place security deposits in escrow and disclose this.
Key Statute Reference
Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.) Title 44, Chapter 7 (Landlord and Tenant)
This is the primary state statute governing landlord-tenant relationships in Georgia. For the full text, consult your state legislature's website or a legal database.
Legal Disclaimer
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change frequently — verify current requirements with a local attorney. Information was last reviewed on 2026-03-19.
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