Landlord tools · Georgia

Georgia residential lease agreement.

Everything a Georgia lease must get right in 2026 — deposit limits, late fees, notice periods, and required disclosures — plus a free builder that applies each rule for you and outputs a signable PDF.

2 monthsSecurity deposit cap

30 daysDeposit return deadline

ReasonableEntry notice required

60 daysTo end month-to-month

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Security deposits in Georgia

Georgia caps security deposits at 2 months of rent. HB 404 'Safe at Home Act' (eff. 7/2024): 2 months max, however denominated After the tenancy ends, the deposit must be returned within 30 days. Return or itemized statement within 30 days; escrow/surety rules apply to larger landlords Returning one now? Use the free Georgia deposit return letter generator — it computes the deadline and itemizes deductions for you.

Late fees and grace periods

Georgia sets no statutory dollar cap on late fees, but courts require them to be reasonable and they must appear in the written lease. No grace period is required by statute, though many leases include one. No statutory cap; must be reasonable and in lease. HB 404 gives 3 business days to cure nonpayment before eviction filing.

Landlord entry and notices

Georgia has no fixed entry-notice statute — reasonable notice is the standard, and the lease should spell it out. No entry-notice statute; lease terms and reasonableness govern. Ending a month-to-month tenancy takes 60 days' written notice (Landlord 60 days, tenant 30 days). Rent increases require 60 days' advance notice (Treated as change of terms: 60 days' landlord notice on tenancy-at-will). Planning an increase? The free Georgia rent increase notice generator applies the notice period automatically.

Required disclosures in a Georgia lease

Lead-based paint (federal). EPA/HUD disclosure and pamphlet required (Required when: pre-1978 housing.)
Flooding history. Disclose if living space flooded 3+ times in past 5 years (Required when: flood history exists.)
Owner/agent identity. Names/addresses of owner and authorized manager, in writing (Always required.)
Move-in condition list. Itemized list of existing damage before collecting a deposit (Required when: deposit collected.)

Clauses you can’t put in a Georgia lease

Exculpatory clauses
Waiver of landlord repair/habitability duties

Utilities and pets

Utilities: HB 404 bans shutting off utilities (power, water, A/C) while awaiting eviction. Pets: No pet-specific statute; pet deposits count toward the 2-month cap.

Frequently asked questions

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

Georgia caps security deposits at 2 months of rent. HB 404 'Safe at Home Act' (eff. 7/2024): 2 months max, however denominated

How long does a Georgia landlord have to return the deposit?

30 days after the tenancy ends. Return or itemized statement within 30 days; escrow/surety rules apply to larger landlords

Are late fees limited in Georgia?

There's no statutory dollar cap, but fees must be reasonable and stated in the lease. No statutory cap; must be reasonable and in lease. HB 404 gives 3 business days to cure nonpayment before eviction filing

How much notice before a landlord can enter the unit in Georgia?

Georgia has no fixed statutory period — reasonable notice applies. No entry-notice statute; lease terms and reasonableness govern

Does Georgia have rent control?

No statewide rent control. Local rent control prohibited (§ 44-7-19)

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Key statutes: O.C.G.A. § 44-7-30 et seq. · O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7 · O.C.G.A. § 44-7-20. Last reviewed 2026-07. This guide summarizes state law for convenience and is not legal advice; cities and counties may add their own rules.