Georgia Lease Agreement: What to Include
January 5, 2026Georgia's landlord-tenant law is relatively landlord-friendly on deposit limits, but its eviction process has a distinctive structure — a demand for possession, rather than a fixed statewide notice period — that differs from many other states.
Security deposits
Georgia has no statewide statutory cap on security deposit amounts, and no requirement to pay interest on deposits. Deposits must generally be returned within 30 days of move-out, along with an itemized list of any deductions, and a documented move-in damage list is specifically expected practice to support any deductions later.
The eviction process starts with a demand
Rather than a single fixed statutory notice period, Georgia's eviction process (called "dispossessory" proceedings) generally starts with a demand for possession — the landlord demands the tenant vacate, and if they don't comply, the landlord can file in court. There isn't one uniform statewide waiting period the way many other states specify a fixed number of days, so this is an area worth confirming current requirements and, for anything contested, involving an attorney.
Rent increase notice
For a tenancy-at-will (no fixed lease term), Georgia generally requires 60 days' notice from the landlord for changes including rent increases or termination. Fixed-term leases follow whatever the lease specifies, since rent generally can't change mid-term without a lease provision allowing it.
Required disclosures
A Georgia lease should include or accompany:
- • Federal lead-based paint disclosure (for pre-1978 buildings)
- • Move-in damage list — expected practice to support deposit deductions later
- • Flood disclosure, where applicable
The bottom line
Georgia's demand-based eviction process (rather than a fixed notice period) is the detail most likely to catch a landlord off guard coming from a different state. See LeasePilot HQ's full Georgia landlord-tenant law summary for the complete breakdown with sources, or generate a lease with Georgia-specific clauses built in automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a fixed number of days' notice before eviction in Georgia?
Georgia's dispossessory process is generally demand-based rather than tied to one fixed statewide notice period the way some other states specify — confirm current requirements and consider legal guidance for a specific eviction situation.
Do I need to document the unit's condition at move-in in Georgia?
It's not just good practice — Georgia law specifically contemplates a move-in damage list as part of supporting any security deposit deductions later, so this is more directly tied to your legal position than in some other states.
Can I increase rent whenever I want on a tenancy-at-will?
You generally need to give 60 days' notice for changes to a tenancy-at-will, including rent increases, under Georgia law — it's not immediate even without a fixed lease term.