Georgia Tenant Law: Security Deposits, Late Fees & Landlord Entry (2026)
What Georgia law says about the clauses that matter most in a residential lease. Data as of 2026-10-18.
Security deposits
- Max
- 2 months' rent (leases entered/renewed on or after July 1, 2024).
- Return deadline days
- 30 days
- Itemization required
- Yes
Source: O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-30.1, 44-7-34
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Late fees
We haven't verified a statewide rule for this yet. Check your lease, your city's rules, or a local tenant organization.
Check if your Georgia late fee is legal
Landlord entry
- Notice
- No statute; follow the lease.
Ending a month-to-month tenancy
- Tenant
- 30 days
- Landlord
- 60 days
Source: O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7
Rent increases
- Rule
- No statutory notice period beyond ending the tenancy.
- Statewide rent control
- No; local rent control is preempted (O.C.G.A. 44-7-19).
Source: O.C.G.A. § 44-7-19
Repairs & habitability
- Rule
- Since July 1, 2024 every lease is deemed to include that the home is fit for human habitation; landlord must keep the premises in repair and cannot waive that duty.
Source: O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-13, 44-7-2
Retaliation
- Rule
- Retaliation for good-faith repair requests or complaints to authorities is prohibited.
Source: O.C.G.A. § 44-7-24
Clauses often unenforceable in Georgia
- Waiver of the landlord's duty to repair/keep the home habitable, or making the tenant indemnify the landlord for the landlord's own negligence (O.C.G.A. 44-7-2)
- Deposit above 2 months' rent (44-7-30.1)
Notes
Before filing for eviction over unpaid rent, landlords must give a 3-business-day written notice (HB 404). Statewide late-fee rule not verified (left blank).
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General information only, not legal advice. Laws change — verify with the linked source or a licensed attorney.