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

Security deposit, together with all other refundable deposits, may not exceed two months' rent. (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-30.1) The deposit must be accounted for within 30 days after the tenancy ends (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34).

Is there a limit on late fees in Georgia?

Georgia sets no statutory late-fee cap; the fee must be stated in the lease.

How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Georgia?

Georgia has no statutory entry-notice requirement, so Landy's lease sets one by agreement. That agreed period is 24 hours.

How do you end a month-to-month tenancy in Georgia?

Landlord must give 60 days' notice to end a month-to-month tenancy; the tenant need only give 30 days. (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7)

What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in Georgia?

Tenant has a 3-day right to cure by paying all rent owed before the landlord may file a dispossessory action. (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-52) The case is filed as a dispossessory proceeding in Magistrate Court. A landlord may never change the locks or remove a tenant's belongings without a court order.

Does a residential lease have to be in writing in Georgia?

A written lease is not always legally required, but it is what makes the terms enforceable and provable. Georgia tenancies are governed by the Safe at Home Act, and a written lease is the practical way to document rent, deposits, and each party's obligations. Landy builds a lease specific to Georgia with the statutory citations printed in it.

Georgia Residential Lease Agreement

A lease that works in the State of Georgia has to respect the Safe at Home Act: a security deposit capped at two months' rent, accounted for within 30 days of move-out, and no statutory ceiling on late fees. Below is every number that governs a Georgia tenancy, with the statute it comes from.

Read the whole lease before you pay. $14.99 to download, or three for $29.

Georgia rental law at a glance

Each row is the rule Landy applies when it builds a Georgia lease. The citation is printed in the finished document too, so a tenant can check it.

Georgia landlord-tenant rules with statutory citations
Rule	Georgia	Citation
Security deposit limit	two months' rentSecurity deposit, together with all other refundable deposits, may not exceed two months' rent.	O.C.G.A. § 44-7-30.1
Deposit return deadline	30 daysLandlord must return the deposit or an itemized list of deductions within 30 days after termination.	O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34
Interest on deposits	Not requiredGeorgia does not require interest on security deposits.	O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34
Late fee limit	No statutory limitGeorgia sets no statutory late-fee cap; the fee must be stated in the lease.	No statute on point
Grace period before rent is late	No statutory grace periodGeorgia sets no statutory grace period for rent.	No statute on point
Notice to pay or quit	3 daysTenant has a 3-day right to cure by paying all rent owed before the landlord may file a dispossessory action.	O.C.G.A. § 44-7-52
Time to cure a lease violation	No fixed statutory periodGeorgia requires a demand for possession rather than a fixed statutory cure period for non-rent violations.	O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50
Ending a month-to-month tenancy	60 days' noticeLandlord must give 60 days' notice to end a month-to-month tenancy; the tenant need only give 30 days.	O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7
Notice before landlord entry	No statute — Landy's lease sets 24 hours by agreementGeorgia has no statutory entry-notice requirement, so Landy's lease sets one by agreement.	No statute on point

Disclosures a Georgia lease must carry

Missing a required disclosure is the most common way an otherwise fine lease creates a problem. Landy adds these automatically, plus any that apply only to your specific property.

Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
Housing built before 1978 may contain lead-based paint. Lead from paint, paint chips, and dust can pose health hazards if not managed properly. Lead exposure is especially harmful to young children and pregnant women. Before renting pre-1978 housing, landlords must disclose the presence of known lead-based paint and lead-based paint hazards in the dwelling, provide any available records and reports to the tenant, and give the tenant the EPA-approved pamphlet "Protect Your Family From Lead In Your Home." Tenant acknowledges receipt of this information by signing below.
42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 24 C.F.R. Part 35; 40 C.F.R. Part 745 · applies to housing built before 1978
Flood Disclosure
Landlord discloses whether the dwelling has been damaged by flooding at least three times within the previous five years.
O.C.G.A. § 44-7-20

If things go wrong in Georgia

Where eviction is filed

Magistrate Court, as a dispossessory proceeding.

Governing law

Safe at Home Act, cited from the Official Code of Georgia Annotated.

Never self-help

Changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities to force a tenant out is unlawful. A court order is the only route.

Georgia lease questions, answered

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Georgia?: Security deposit, together with all other refundable deposits, may not exceed two months' rent. (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-30.1) The deposit must be accounted for within 30 days after the tenancy ends (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34).
Is there a limit on late fees in Georgia?: Georgia sets no statutory late-fee cap; the fee must be stated in the lease.
How much notice must a landlord give before entering a rental in Georgia?: Georgia has no statutory entry-notice requirement, so Landy's lease sets one by agreement. That agreed period is 24 hours.
How do you end a month-to-month tenancy in Georgia?: Landlord must give 60 days' notice to end a month-to-month tenancy; the tenant need only give 30 days. (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7)
What happens if a tenant does not pay rent in Georgia?: Tenant has a 3-day right to cure by paying all rent owed before the landlord may file a dispossessory action. (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-52) The case is filed as a dispossessory proceeding in Magistrate Court. A landlord may never change the locks or remove a tenant's belongings without a court order.
Does a residential lease have to be in writing in Georgia?: A written lease is not always legally required, but it is what makes the terms enforceable and provable. Georgia tenancies are governed by the Safe at Home Act, and a written lease is the practical way to document rent, deposits, and each party's obligations. Landy builds a lease specific to Georgia with the statutory citations printed in it.

Build a Georgia lease with these rules already in it.

Answer questions in plain English. Landy writes the Georgia lease around your answers, applies every limit above, and shows you the finished document before you decide to pay.

Lease laws in other states

This page summarizes Georgia law for general information and is not legal advice. Landy is a self-help document service, not a law firm. Cities and counties may impose additional requirements, and statutes change. Have a licensed Georgia attorney review your lease before you rely on it.