Georgia's landlord-tenant laws, found primarily in Title 44, Chapter 7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.), take a generally landlord-friendly approach while still establishing clear procedural requirements that property owners must follow. Understanding the nuances of Georgia law is essential for operating a compliant and profitable rental business.

Georgia is notable for having no statewide rent control, no statutory grace period for rent, and a relatively streamlined eviction (dispossessory) process. However, the state imposes significant requirements related to security deposit handling, particularly for landlords managing larger portfolios, and requires specific property disclosures.

Official Law Citation: Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A. Title 44, Chapter 7)

Security Deposits

Georgia law does not impose a strict statewide statutory cap on security deposit amounts, though two months' rent is the general standard. Key rules include:

• Escrow Requirement: Landlords who own more than 10 rental units or who use a property management agent must place security deposits in a separate escrow account or post a surety bond with the superior court clerk.
• Move-In Inspection: These same landlords must provide a written list of pre-existing damages before the tenant moves in.
• Return Deadline: Landlords have 30 days after the tenancy ends to return the deposit with an itemized statement of deductions.
• Penalties: Bad-faith retention of a security deposit can result in the landlord being liable for up to three times the deposit amount plus attorney's fees.

See our Security Deposits미리보기를 사용할 수 없습니다 guide for exact requirements.

Eviction Process (Dispossessory Proceeding)

Georgia uses a Dispossessory Proceeding for evictions, governed by O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50.

• Demand for Possession: Before filing, the landlord must make an unequivocal demand for possession of the property to the tenant.
• Filing the Affidavit: If the tenant doesn't vacate, the landlord files a Dispossessory Affidavit with the Magistrate Court.
• Tenant's Response: The tenant has 7 days from service to file an answer.
• Self-Help is Prohibited: Changing locks, cutting utilities, or removing tenant belongings without a court order is illegal.

See our Eviction Process미리보기를 사용할 수 없습니다 guide.

Rent Increases and Late Fees

• Rent Increases: Georgia has no statewide rent control and state law actually prohibits local governments from enacting rent control (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-19). Landlords must give 60 days' written notice before raising rent on month-to-month tenancies. Rent cannot be increased mid-lease unless the lease specifically allows it.
• Late Fees: Georgia law does not mandate a grace period for rent payments. Late fees must be "reasonable" and clearly stated in the lease agreement. Courts generally consider around 5% of the monthly rent to be a reasonable benchmark.
• No Statutory Grace Period: If the lease says rent is due on the 1st, the landlord can legally charge a late fee or issue a demand for possession on the 2nd.

See our Rent Increases미리보기를 사용할 수 없습니다 and Late Fees미리보기를 사용할 수 없습니다 guides.

Disclosures and Lease Requirements

Georgia requires several mandatory disclosures, including:

• The name and address of the landlord or authorized agent (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-3).
• A move-in property condition report for landlords with 10+ units.
• Federal lead-based paint disclosure for homes built before 1978.
• Disclosure of any known flooding history affecting the property.

See our Required Disclosures미리보기를 사용할 수 없습니다 and Lease Requirements미리보기를 사용할 수 없습니다 guides.

Maintenance Obligations

Under Georgia's implied warranty of habitability, landlords must keep the property in a condition fit for human habitation. O.C.G.A. § 44-7-13 requires landlords to keep the premises in repair and be liable for damages resulting from defects they knew of or should have known about.

See our Maintenance Obligations미리보기를 사용할 수 없습니다 guide.

How Landager Helps

Landager tracks lease terms, required compliance items, and accounting records - making it easy to stay compliant with Georgia regulations.