General info, not legal advice. Details

Georgia landlord-tenant law FAQ

Last reviewed 2026-10-16

18 answers to common Georgia landlord questions. Every answer is a verified fact with its official source and last-checked date.

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Georgia?

A landlord cannot require a security deposit of more than 2 months' rent.

Verified Source: Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook (Dept. of Community Affairs) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full security deposit limit page

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Georgia?

Within 30 days after the landlord regains possession: return the deposit, or a written statement of the exact reasons for withholding plus the balance (Georgia Attorney General's summary of the statute).

Verified Source: O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full deposit return deadline page

How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering a rental in Georgia?

The lease sets when the landlord may enter. If the lease doesn't give a right of entry, the tenant can refuse except in emergencies. There is no statutory notice period.

Verified Source: Georgia Dept. of Community Affairs, Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook (rev. 8-29-24) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full notice to enter page

How much notice does a landlord need to give to raise the rent in Georgia?

Tenancy-at-will: 60 days' notice of a rent increase. Under a lease, the lease terms control.

Verified Source: Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook (Dept. of Community Affairs) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full rent increase notice page

Can a landlord charge a late fee in Georgia, and how much?

Georgia's landlord-tenant article (O.C.G.A. 44-7-1 to -25) sets no late-fee cap or rule (full article read).

Verified Source: O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-1 to 44-7-25 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full late fees page

What notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Georgia?

At least 3 business days before filing a dispossessory for unpaid rent or fees, the landlord must give the tenant a written notice to pay.

Verified Source: Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook (Dept. of Community Affairs) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full eviction notice (nonpayment) page

Can cities in Georgia pass rent control?

No county or municipality may enact, maintain or enforce any ordinance or resolution regulating the amount of rent for privately owned residential rental property. Agreements involving government-owned property are excepted.

Verified Source: O.C.G.A. § 44-7-19 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full rent control / state preemption page

How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month tenancy in Georgia?

Tenancy at will (including month-to-month after a lease expires): the landlord must give 60 days' notice to end it or change the terms; the tenant must give 30 days' notice.

Verified Source: GA DCA Landlord-Tenant Handbook (Ending a Tenancy-at-will) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full ending a month-to-month tenancy page

Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Georgia?

Georgia's security deposit article requires deposits to be held in trust in an escrow account (or covered by a surety bond), with the tenant told where the account is. It does not require the landlord to pay interest (whole article read).

Verified Source: O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-30 to 44-7-37 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full interest on deposits page

Is a move-in or move-out inspection checklist required in Georgia?

Required for landlords who own more than 10 units (including those owned by a spouse or children) or who use a management agent. Before taking a deposit, they must give a complete list of existing damage, and must do a formal move-out inspection with a list the tenant may dispute in writing.

Verified Source: GA DCA Landlord-Tenant Handbook (Move-in / Move-out Inspection) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full move-in/move-out checklist page

Is landlord retaliation illegal in Georgia?

Yes. Landlords may not retaliate against tenants who request repairs, organize a tenant group about health or safety, make good-faith code complaints, or enforce lease or legal rights. Filing an eviction, cutting access or services, raising rent, terminating or interfering with the lease within 3 months is presumed retaliatory unless the landlord shows a lawful reason.

Verified Source: O.C.G.A. § 44-7-24 (GA DCA Landlord-Tenant Handbook) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full retaliation protections page

Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Georgia?

During an eviction case, a landlord may not knowingly and willfully cut off utilities (heat, cooling, light, water) until the judge makes a final decision. If the landlord pays the utilities, PSC-regulated electric providers must give tenants at least 5 days' written notice before a shutoff.

Verified Source: GA DCA Landlord-Tenant Handbook (Utilities) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full lockouts and utility shutoffs page

What can a tenant do if the landlord won't make repairs in Georgia?

Georgia DCA's handbook (rev. 8-29-24) says a tenant may have a qualified, licensed professional make a required repair at reasonable cost and deduct it from future rent. It advises notifying the landlord in writing first and keeping estimates and receipts, and says the remedy cannot be used for common areas.

Verified Source: Georgia DCA, Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook (rev. 8-29-24) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full repairs and habitability remedies page

What disclosures must a landlord give tenants in Georgia?

Before signing a lease, the landlord must notify the prospective tenant in writing if the living space has flooded at least 3 times in the past 5 years. A landlord who fails to do so is liable for flood damage to the tenant's property during the lease. Landlords must also give the federal lead-based paint disclosure for pre-1978 units.

Verified Source: Georgia DCA, Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook (rev. 8-29-24) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full required lease disclosures page

What can a landlord do with property a tenant leaves behind in Georgia?

After an eviction judgment, a tenant's property that is removed must be placed on the landlord's land (or elsewhere if the landlord and officer agree). Once it is removed with reasonable care, the landlord is not liable for what happens to it. A landlord who hauls it elsewhere or leaves it in the unit can be sued.

Verified Source: Georgia DCA, Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook (rev. 8-29-24) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full abandoned property page

Can a tenant break a lease early for domestic violence or military service in Georgia?

Family violence or stalking: a tenant protected (with their minor children) by a civil or criminal family violence or stalking order may end the lease with 30 days' notice and a copy of the order. Servicemembers may terminate under the federal SCRA (for monthly rent, effective 30 days after the next rent due date).

Verified Source: O.C.G.A. § 44-7-23; 50 U.S.C. § 3955 (GA DCA Landlord-Tenant Handbook) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full early termination (dv/military) page

Is there a grace period before a late fee can be charged in Georgia?

Georgia's landlord-tenant article (O.C.G.A. 44-7-1 to -25) sets no late-fee grace period (full article read).

Verified Source: O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-1 to 44-7-25 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full late fee grace period page

What is the military lease termination (federal scra, all states) rule in Georgia?

Federal law that applies in every state: under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, a tenant may end a residential lease after entering military service, or after getting permanent-change-of-station orders or deployment orders of at least 90 days, by delivering written notice and a copy of the orders to the landlord. For a lease with monthly rent, termination takes effect 30 days after the next rent due date following delivery of the notice. Any state-specific rule on this page also applies. Code text: "The lessee on a lease described in subsection (b) may, at the lessee's option, terminate the lease at any time after."

Verified Source: 50 U.S.C. § 3955 (federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act) · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full military lease termination (federal scra, all states) page

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