Key Takeaways
- In Georgia, there’s no limit on security deposits. They must be returned within one month.
- Eviction notices require at least seven days’ notice for non-payment of rent.
- Landlords must give 24 hours’ notice before entering the property.
- Required disclosures include information about lead-based paint and any known hazards.
- PandaDoc offers Georgia lease agreement templates that adhere to state regulations, facilitating the creation of legally sound contracts for both residential and sublease arrangements
Lease Agreements by Type
Georgia Residential Lease
Residential Lease Agreement Georgia
Used 4,872 times
Customize your free lease agreement template for Georgia and learn about all the required terms that apply in this state.
Use Residential Lease Agreement GeorgiaThe Georgia residential lease agreement template outlines the terms and conditions governing the rental of a residential property in accordance with state laws, covering essential aspects such as rent, security deposit, maintenance responsibilities, and lease duration, designed to meet the needs of landlords and tenants in the state of Georgia.
Georgia Room Rent
This Room Rental agreement lets you establish a formal arrangement for renting out a room in a residential property in Georgia.
Georgia Apartment Lease
This Apartment Lease agreement for Georgia lets you formalize the terms and conditions for renting an apartment in the state.
Georgia Month-to-Month Lease
Use this template when establishing a month-to-month rental agreement for residential or commercial properties in Georgia.
Commercial Lease Agreement
Utilize this template when leasing a commercial property in Georgia to establish the terms and conditions of the rental agreement between a landlord and a tenant for business purposes.
Georgia Lease to Purchase
Use this Lease to Purchase agreement when you want to set a rental arrangement with the option for the tenant to buy the property in Georgia.
Georgia Sublease Agreement
Sublease Agreement Template
Used 5,094 times
Looking to sublease your apartment or home? Try out this standard and free sublease agreement template to keep it above the board.
Use Sublease Agreement TemplateThe Georgia sublease agreement template allows a tenant to lease part of their rented premises, detailing terms like rent and duration, subject to the original lease and landlord’s approval, in compliance with Georgia state regulations.
Understanding Georgia Rental Laws
Georgia’s rental laws are fairly landlord-friendly, as you can adjust various clauses while still complying with the law. However, there are a few terms and regulations you must remember to ensure you create a legally binding document.
Rent and Payment Terms in Georgia
The rent laws are fairly loose in Georgia, as there are no real rent control laws. As such, landlords can charge a rental amount they believe is appropriate for the property. There’s no grace period for late rent, meaning landlords can immediately evict tenants who don’t pay rent.
While they must disclose any late fees, there’s no limit on these fees. The only limit is the fee for bounced checks, which is limited to 5% of the check, or $30, whichever is greater.
Security Deposit Regulations in Georgia
There’s no limit to how much a landlord can ask for the security deposit. However, if they do ask for one, they must hold that deposit in an escrow account that they set up exclusively for the deposit.
When the landlords make any deductions on the security deposit, they must present it in an itemized list and return the remaining balance within 30 days of the contract termination.
Duration of the Lease in Georgia
The duration of the lease depends entirely on the lease’s terms. It can be month-to-month, have a fixed term, and any other duration. However, while the duration is quite flexible, it must comply with Georgia’s eviction laws.
These laws mean tenants must give a 30-day written notice when they terminate the contract. Landlords, on the other hand, must give tenants a 60-day written notice to evict them from the property.
Maintenance and Repairs in Georgia
The landlord has the responsibility to keep the property in good repair. Any wear and tear, annual maintenance, or repairs not due to the tenant’s negligence is the landlord’s responsibility. They’re also responsible for any improvements they want to make to the property.
While they don’t have to fund it, landlords are liable for any substantial improvements the tenants make to the property with their consent.
Additional Clauses for Georgia
Other clauses you should add are the following:
- The landlord’s right to enter the property
- Abandonment terms when the tenant breaks the lease
- Renewal clauses on how the tenant can renew the lease
- A clause on the right to fair housing
Legal Considerations and Compliance in Georgia
A lease agreement template Georgia uses has four required disclosures. The first is identification, where the landlord must add a person of contact, their name, and address. The second is move-in and move-out inspection forms, which clearly detail all damages on the premises prior to the tenant paying their security deposit. A lead-based paint disclosure is required by federal law, and a flooding disclosure is required if the property has flooded three or more times in the last five years.