Georgia landlord-tenant law.
Quick-reference on Georgia residential landlord-tenant rules, primary statute OCGA Title 44 Chapter 7, HB 404 (2024). Below are every LeaseKit tool that applies to Georgia: calculators, templates, free checklist PDF, blog guides, and frequently asked questions.
HB 404 (2024) added statutory implied warranty of habitability, 2-month deposit cap, 3-business-day pay-or-quit
Georgia rules at a glance.
- Deposit cap
- 2 months (HB 404, OCGA 44-7-30.1)
- Return deadline
- 30 days with itemization (44-7-34)
- Late fee cap
- Lease-based, no statewide cap
- Pay-or-quit notice
- 3 business days (44-7-50(c), HB 404)
- Month-to-month termination
- 60 days by landlord (44-7-7)
- Rent cap
- None
Georgia documents.
Answer questions for free before the PDF.
Written for Georgia landlords.
- Georgia Lease Template, LeaseKit vs LegalZoom (Post HB 404 Safe at Home Act 2026)→
- Augusta Landlord Laws, the 2026 Quick Guide (Post HB 404)→
- Savannah Landlord Laws, the 2026 Quick Guide (Post HB 404)→
- Atlanta Landlord Laws Post HB 404, the 2026 Quick Guide→
- Georgia Eviction Process Step by Step (Post HB 404, 2026)→
Georgia landlord FAQ.
- What must a Georgia residential lease include?→
- Can a Georgia landlord raise rent during a fixed-term lease?→
- How much can a Georgia landlord charge as a security deposit?→
- Does a Georgia lease require a lead-paint disclosure?→
- Can a Georgia lease end early?→
- Does a Georgia lease need to be in writing?→
- Does a Georgia lease automatically renew?→
- Can a Georgia tenant sublet without permission?→
Atlanta, Augusta, Savannah, Columbus. Local ordinances in major cities can add stricter rules (especially rent control, just-cause eviction, and inspection requirements). Always check the city code in addition to the state statute.
This is a quick reference, not legal advice. Georgia landlord-tenant law changes year to year. Always verify the current statute text and any local ordinances before relying on this page for a specific dispute. For contested cases, consult a Georgia-licensed attorney.
What landlords ask about GA
- What is the security deposit cap in Georgia?
- Georgia caps the security deposit at two months of rent. Reference: Ga. Code Ann. §§ 44-7-1 et seq..
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Georgia?
- Georgia requires the landlord to return the security deposit (or an itemized statement of deductions) within 30 days of the tenant vacating. Reference: Ga. Code Ann. §§ 44-7-1 et seq.. Missing the deadline can forfeit the landlord's right to withhold any portion of the deposit and, in some states, expose the landlord to double or treble damages.
- How much notice is required for a rent increase in Georgia?
- Georgia requires 60 days of advance written notice for a rent increase. Reference: Ga. Code Ann. §§ 44-7-1 et seq..
- What is the late fee cap in Georgia?
- Georgia does not impose a specific statutory percentage cap on late fees. Courts generally require the fee to be reasonable and tied to the landlord's actual damages. Reference: Ga. Code Ann. §§ 44-7-1 et seq..
- How many days is the pay-or-quit notice in Georgia?
- Georgia requires a 3-day pay-or-quit notice before an unlawful detainer or eviction filing can be initiated for non-payment of rent. Reference: Ga. Code Ann. §§ 44-7-1 et seq..
- How much notice terminates a month-to-month tenancy in Georgia?
- Georgia requires 60 days of written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy. Reference: Ga. Code Ann. §§ 44-7-1 et seq..
- What mandatory disclosures does Georgia require in a lease?
- Georgia leases must include these disclosures: Federal lead-based paint disclosure (pre-1978 units); Flood disclosure if property has flooded in the past five years (Ga. Code § 44-7-20); Move-in condition report required for security deposit claims; Habitability duty notice (HB 404, 2024). Missing a required disclosure can invalidate the lease's enforceability on that point and sometimes on the lease as a whole. Reference: Ga. Code Ann. §§ 44-7-1 et seq..
- Which Georgia statute governs landlord-tenant law?
- HB 404 (Safe at Home Act, effective 2024-07-01) added a statutory duty of habitability by amending OCGA 44-7-13, capped security deposits at two months rent (OCGA 44-7-30.1), and required three business days written notice to pay or quit before a dispossessory affidavit (OCGA 44-7-50(c)). Georgia requires landlords to give 60 days written notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy; tenants need only 30 days. No statewide rent control. The primary citation used across LeaseKit templates for this state is: Ga. Code Ann. §§ 44-7-1 et seq..