Georgia Landlord Guide — Get Your Action Plan in 60 Seconds

Tenant behind on rent? Damage beyond wear and tear? Holding over after the lease ended? Describe the situation in your own words and get a plain-English breakdown, severity rating, step-by-step next steps, and ready-to-send notices — specific to Georgia law.

Georgia landlord law, at a glance

• Security deposit: you must return it within 30 days of move-out, with an itemized statement for deductions.
• Tenant entry: No state law sets a minimum notice period — check your lease, which may require one.
• Eviction: you must go through the courts. Self-help eviction is illegal.

Under O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-33 to -34, the deposit must be returned with an itemized statement within 30 days of regaining possession; as of July 1, 2024, deposits are capped at two months' rent (§ 44-7-30.1). Georgia has no statutory entry-notice requirement — the DCA Landlord-Tenant Handbook recommends 24 hours, but that is guidance, not law. There is no statutory rent grace period, and a landlord can file a dispossessory immediately upon nonpayment, though the tenant gets 7 days to cure and avoid eviction (§§ 44-7-50, -52). Self-help eviction is illegal: lockouts are prohibited, and landlord utility shutoffs are punishable by a fine up to $500 (§ 44-7-14.1).

Free legal help in Georgia

• Georgia Legal Services Program — 1-800-498-9469 — Statewide nonprofit serving low-income Georgians.
• Atlanta Legal Aid Society — Free civil legal services for people unable to afford counsel.
• Housing Justice League — Atlanta tenant-led org: eviction defense, tenant associations, housing-justice campaigns.
• GeorgiaLegalAid.org — Renter legal information and resources directory.
• Call or text 211 for free local referrals.

Common questions