Georgia Landlord Tenant Law

Georgia Landlord Tenant Laws, set forth in Georgia Code Title 44, Chapter 7 governs the rental of residential property and the rights and responsibilities of property owners and tenants. The Georgia Landlord Tenant Handbook, published by the State of Georgia Department of Community Affairs points out that “there is not a governmental agency that has the power to intervene in a dispute between a landlord and tenant to force one or the other party to behave in any particular manner. A landlord or tenant who cannot resolve a dispute on their own would need to use the courts, either directly or through a lawyer, to enforce their legal rights.”

None of this information is a substitute for legal advice. If you have questions or issues regarding Georgia Landlord Tenant Laws, it is suggested that you consult your personal attorney or Georgia Legal Aid.

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Georgia Landlord Tenant Laws – Flood Notice

Georgia Code 44-7-20 provides that property owners supply tenants with written notice if a rental property is prone to flooding. The statute requires that, “prior to entering a written agreement for the leasehold of that property, the owner shall, either directly or through an agent, notify the prospective tenant in writing of the property’s propensity of flooding if flooding has damaged any portion of the living space covered by the lease or attachments thereto…” An owner is legally liable for failure to provide flood notice to tenants in advance of the beginning of the tenancy.

Georgia Landlord Tenant Laws – Security Deposit

Security deposits in Georgia Landlord Tenant Laws are addressed in Georgia Code Title 44, Chapter 7, Article 2, “Security Deposits.” The legal definition of a security deposit in Georgia is:

(3) “Security deposit” means money or any other form of security given after July 1, 1976, by a tenant to a landlord which shall be held by the landlord on behalf of a tenant by virtue of a residential rental agreement and shall include, but not be limited to, damage deposits, advance rent deposits, and pet deposits. Such term shall not include nonrefundable fees, or money or other consideration which are not to be returned to the tenant under the terms of the residential rental agreement or which were to be applied toward the payment of rent or reimbursement of services or utilities provided to the tenant.

Georgia Landlord Tenant Law, under 44-7-34 requires that a security deposit be returned to the tenant upon termination of the tenancy, except for any damages caused by the tenant. This is another reason why it is crucial to obtain the security deposit form when you purchase your Georgia Landlord forms as well as the Move in/Move out Checklist and the Notice of Right to Inspection Prior to Termination of Tenancy Forms. All these forms protect the landlord regarding security deposits under Georgia Landlord Tenant Laws.

The laws regarding security deposits also protect tenants. While a landlord has a right to retain part or all of the security deposit upon termination of tenancy, a tenant may have cause to object to withholding of any portion of the security deposit. This is provided for under 44-7-33(C), specifically “A tenant who disputes the accuracy of the final damage list given pursuant to subsection (b) of this Code section may bring an action in any court of competent jurisdiction in this state to recover the portion of the security deposit which the tenant believes to be wrongfully withheld for damages to the premises. The tenant’s claims shall be limited to those items to which the tenant specifically dissented in accordance with this Code section.” When you execute proper forms at the beginning and throughout the tenancy, there is less likelihood of a cause for action arising regarding security deposits.

Georgia Landlord Tenant Laws – Responsibilities of landlord and tenant

Georgia Landlord Tenant Laws provides that a landlord must “keep the premises in repair. He shall be liable for all substantial improvements placed upon the premises by his consent,” as set forth in 44-7-13. If the landlord fails to make repairs, the tenant can bring an action against the landlord for the landlord’s failure to make repairs to the premises.

A tenant has the responsibility to pay rent on time and keep the property in good order as well as to surrender the premises at the end of the lease term under Article 3. Landlords cannot disconnect utilities or take other action outside the courts in the event that a tenant fails to pay rent. If a landlord files a claim under Dispossessory Proceedings, the tenant may file an answer and present any evidence to dispute the claim. If, however, a landlord accepts late rent, the landlord cannot pursue an action under Article 3.

Georgia Landlord Tenant Laws – Termination of tenancy of service members

Under Georgia Landlord Tenant Laws 44-7-22, active duty military service members may terminate a lease prior to expiration of the lease term by giving written 30 day notice when:

(1) The service member is required, pursuant to a permanent change of station orders, to move 35 miles or more from the location of the rental premises;

(2) The service member is released from active duty or state active duty after having leased the rental premises while on active duty status and the rental premises is 35 miles or more from the service member’s home of record prior to entering active duty;
The service member can also terminate the lease if the service member becomes eligible for government housing or receives a change of orders.

Reminder

None of the information contained herein is a substitute for legal advice. Consult an attorney if you have questions regarding Georgia Landlord Tenant Laws.

Georgia Tenant Screening Background Checks

A key component of landlord tenant laws is also Georgia Tenant Screening Background Checks. We’ve dedicated an entire page to it because of its importance. Visit Georgia Tenant Screening Background Checks to screen your tenant.

Georgia Landlord Forms

All states require a variety of forms to rent an apartment to a tenant and Georgia is no exception. Check out American Apartment Owners Association’s Georgia Landlord Forms now.

Nationwide Landlord Tenant Laws

Looking for landlord tenant laws outside of Georgia? The American Apartment Owners Association offers helpful landlord tenant laws for all 50 states. Click on any of the states listed below and go directly to its landlord tenant laws page.

Reminder: This information is a general explanation and summary of Georgia Landlord Tenant Law but is in no way meant to substitute for legal advice, nor does it list all the statutes under the Georgia Residential Landlord Tenant Act.