What are tenant rights in Georgia?

Georgia landlord-tenant law is found in Title 44, Chapter 7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

1. Security Deposit — No statutory cap. Under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34, landlords with 10+ rental units (or who use a property management company) must hold deposits in a separate escrow account and return within 30 days with itemized deductions. Smaller landlords have looser rules.

2. Move-In/Move-Out Inspection — § 44-7-33 requires a written list of existing damages at move-in for landlords subject to the deposit law.

3. Habitability — § 44-7-13 imposes a duty on landlords to keep premises in repair. § 44-7-14 makes the landlord liable for damages from defective construction or failure to repair. Tenant remedies are limited compared to other states; no statutory repair-and-deduct or rent withholding.

4. Notice for Entry — No statutory requirement. Lease controls.

5. Eviction (Dispossessory Process) — § 44-7-50 allows the landlord to demand possession immediately upon nonpayment — no statutory grace period or notice required unless the lease provides one. Tenant has 7 days to answer after being served the dispossessory affidavit.

6. Termination of Month-to-Month — § 44-7-7 requires 60 days' notice by landlord and 30 days' notice by tenant.

7. Rent Control — Prohibited by O.C.G.A. § 44-7-19.

8. Discrimination — Federal Fair Housing Act applies. Georgia Fair Housing Act (§ 8-3-200) mirrors federal protections; no source-of-income or sexual orientation protection.

9. Retaliation — Georgia has no statute prohibiting landlord retaliation, though courts have recognized limited common-law defenses.

This is legal information, not legal advice.