Renting in Georgia
Your rights as a tenant in Georgia
In Georgia, the security deposit can be up to 2 months of rent. What state law says about your deposit, the notices you must get, repairs and eviction. Every rule comes with its citation and the text of the law.
Key numbers in Georgia
- Maximum deposit
- Up to 2 months of rent
- O.C.G.A. §44-7-30.1
- To return your deposit
- 30 days
- O.C.G.A. §44-7-34
- Notice for late rent
- 3 business days
- O.C.G.A. §44-7-50(a)
What the law says
The rules, one by one
The basic rules for renting in Georgia, answered with state law and its citation.
Tap “What the law says” to read the exact text and see where it comes from.
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How much can they charge for a deposit?
Up to 2 months of rent
A landlord cannot require a security deposit of more than two months' rent. The rule applies to leases entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2024.
What the law says · O.C.G.A. §44-7-30.1
“Deposit limit: A landlord cannot require a security deposit that is an amount more than two (2) months rent.”
Source: Georgia Department of Community Affairs (Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook) · Verified on October 23, 2026
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When must they return my deposit?
30 days
The landlord must return the deposit within 30 days after the lease ends or you move out, whichever is later. If part is kept for damage, the landlord must send a list of the damage and its estimated cost within the same 30 days.
What the law says · O.C.G.A. §44-7-34
“All landlords, regardless of the number of units owned, must return the security deposit within thirty (30) days after termination of the lease or the date that the tenants leave the remises, whichever occurs last. If the security deposit is held because of damage to the unit, the landlord must send the tenants notice within thirty (30) days identifying the damage, the estimated dollar amount of the damage, and a refund, if any, of the difference between the security deposit and the amount withheld for damages.”
Source: Georgia Department of Community Affairs (Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook) · Verified on October 23, 2026
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If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
3 business days
If you owe rent, the landlord must give you a written notice to pay the back rent at least 3 business days before filing the eviction case (dispossessory). It can be served as the lease provides or posted in a sealed envelope on your door.
What the law says · O.C.G.A. §44-7-50(a)
“At least three (3) business days before a landlord files dispossessory for the tenant's failure to pay rent or fees, the landlord is required to give the tenant a written notice to pay the back rent and fees. The notice can be served on the tenant by any method provided in the lease or posted in a sealed envelope on the door of the unit.”
Source: Georgia Department of Community Affairs (Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook) · Verified on October 23, 2026
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How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
60 days
If you never had a written lease, or your lease expired and the landlord let you stay (a tenancy at will), the landlord must give you 60 days' notice to end the tenancy. You must give 30 days' notice.
What the law says · O.C.G.A. §44-7-7
“Tenancy-at-Will: If you never had a written lease or if your written lease expired and the landlord permitted you to remain in the unit (see page 15), then the landlord must give you 60 days' notice to terminate the lease.”
Source: Georgia Department of Community Affairs (Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook) · Verified on October 23, 2026
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How much notice before a rent increase?
60 days
If you have no written lease, or your lease expired and the landlord let you stay (a tenancy at will), the landlord must give you 60 days' notice of any rent increase. During a lease, rent can go up only if the lease says so.
What the law says · O.C.G.A. §44-7-7
“Rent can only be increased during a lease if the lease says that may happen. The terms of the lease determine whether or not a landlord can raise rent and how often they can do so. … If you are a tenant-at-will, the landlord must give 60 days’ notice of any rent increases, and after 60 days you would begin a new tenancy-at-will with the new rent amount.”
Source: Georgia Department of Community Affairs (Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook) · Verified on November 6, 2026
Protections
Protections the law gives you
We show only what state law says, with its citation. Your city may give you more protections.
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Only a court order can remove you
Yes: state law says so
A landlord cannot put you out or block your access to your home without first going through the court eviction process (dispossessory). While the case lasts you may stay, with utilities on, until the court decides.
What the law says · O.C.G.A. §44-7-14.1; §44-7-50 et seq.
“In Georgia, landlords cannot kick out a tenant or prevent a tenant's access to a unit without first going through the court dispossessory process, commonly known as eviction. Self-help evictions by the landlord are illegal, even if you have violated the lease. During the eviction process, you are allowed to remain in the property with active utilities until there is a court decision.”
Georgia Department of Community Affairs (Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook)
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Protection from retaliation
Yes: state law says so
A landlord may not retaliate because you asked for repairs, organized with other tenants or complained in good faith to an agency. If the landlord files an eviction, raises the rent or cuts services within 3 months, the law presumes retaliation unless the landlord shows a lawful reason.
What the law says · O.C.G.A. §44-7-24
“In Georgia, landlords cannot retaliate against tenants who request repairs or take other actions related to life, health, safety, or habitability of the rented property.”
Georgia Department of Community Affairs (Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook)
Eviction
How an eviction works in Georgia
Step by step, with the time periods the law sets. No landlord can skip the court.
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Written notice to pay the back rent (3 business days)
at least 3 business days
What the law says · O.C.G.A. §44-7-50(a)
“At least three (3) business days before a landlord files dispossessory for the tenant's failure to pay rent or fees, the landlord is required to give the tenant a written notice to pay the back rent and fees.”
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Landlord files a dispossessory affidavit in magistrate court
What the law says · O.C.G.A. §44-7-50
“If the tenant refuses or fails to leave, the landlord can file a dispossessory affidavit under oath in magistrate court in the county where the rental property is located.”
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Service of the summons (in most counties, the sheriff)
What the law says · O.C.G.A. §44-7-51
“After the landlord files the dispossessory affidavit, it must be legally delivered on the tenant. In most counties, the sheriff will serve you.”
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Tenant's answer, oral or written, within 7 days
up to 7 days
What the law says · O.C.G.A. §44-7-51(b)
“The summons served on the tenant should require a response either orally or in writing within seven (7) days from the date of service. If the seventh day is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, the answer must be filed on the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.”
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Hearing
What the law says · O.C.G.A. §44-7-53
“If the tenant files an answer stating a valid defense, a hearing on the issue(s) will be held, usually within seven (7) days.”
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Writ of possession, not before 7 days after judgment
at least 7 days
What the law says · O.C.G.A. §44-7-55(a)
“If the court rules in the landlord's favor, the landlord should request a writ of possession that requires the tenant move after seven (7) days and pay past rent owed.”
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Appeal within 7 days of the judgment
up to 7 days
What the law says · O.C.G.A. §44-7-56
“A tenant can appeal within seven (7) days from the date judgment was entered by the court. To file an appeal, the tenant must pay court costs or obtain a court order that costs are not owed.”
Free or low-cost legal help
If you get a notice or a court case, look for help early: the deadlines are short. These are official pages or pages the state courts link to.
Housing discrimination complaints to the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity
The Fair Housing Division of the Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity (GCEO) investigates and works to resolve housing discrimination complaints in the state. If you believe you or someone else faced discrimination in a housing transaction, you may file a complaint, but it must be within one year after it occurred.
Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity (GCEO)- Georgia Legal Aid: What to Know About Evictionsgeorgialegalaid.org
- Georgia Legal Services Program (outside metro Atlanta)glsp.org
- Atlanta Legal Aid (Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties)atlantalegalaid.org
- Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation: eviction helpavlf.org
- Council of Magistrate Court Judges forms (dispossessory answer)georgiamagistratecouncil.com
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a deposit in Georgia?
A landlord cannot require a security deposit of more than two months' rent. The rule applies to leases entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2024. (O.C.G.A. §44-7-30.1)
When must a deposit be returned in Georgia?
The landlord must return the deposit within 30 days after the lease ends or you move out, whichever is later. If part is kept for damage, the landlord must send a list of the damage and its estimated cost within the same 30 days. (O.C.G.A. §44-7-34)
What notice is required for late rent in Georgia?
If you owe rent, the landlord must give you a written notice to pay the back rent at least 3 business days before filing the eviction case (dispossessory). It can be served as the lease provides or posted in a sealed envelope on your door. (O.C.G.A. §44-7-50(a))
How much notice ends a month-to-month rental in Georgia?
If you never had a written lease, or your lease expired and the landlord let you stay (a tenancy at will), the landlord must give you 60 days' notice to end the tenancy. You must give 30 days' notice. (O.C.G.A. §44-7-7)
How much notice before a rent increase in Georgia?
If you have no written lease, or your lease expired and the landlord let you stay (a tenancy at will), the landlord must give you 60 days' notice of any rent increase. During a lease, rent can go up only if the lease says so. (O.C.G.A. §44-7-7)
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
Pending
What is left to verify
We have not yet verified these Georgia rules in the law with their citation, so we do not show them. If you need them today, ask for free legal aid.
- Are there limits on late fees? Not verified yet
- Protection related to immigration status Not verified yet
- Repair and deduct from the rent Not verified yet