State-Specific Tenant Protections

Georgia Tenant Rights & Protections

Georgia Fair Housing Act (O.C.G.A. 8-3-200 et seq.) prohibits housing discrimination. Georgia is a non-deferral state (no FHAP agency); tenants file directly with HUD within 180 days. The Georgia Landlord-Tenant Act (O.C.G.A. Title 44, Ch. 7) governs rental housing. As of 2025, security deposits are capped at 2 months' rent and must be held in escrow or covered by surety bond. Month-to-month tenancies require 60 days' notice to terminate. Retaliation is prohibited; tenants who prevail may recover 1 month's rent plus $500, court costs, and attorney fees.

Key Protections

What Georgia Law Protects

Security Deposit Limit

2 months' rent

Eviction Notice Minimum

60 days

Retaliation Presumption

Protected (no set period)

Rent Control

No statewide rent control

Fair Housing Protections

Georgia Fair Housing Act

Ga. Code Ann. §§ 8-3-200 to 8-3-223

Protected Classes

RaceColorReligionSexHandicap/DisabilityFamilial statusNational origin

Filing Information

Filing Agency

Georgia Commission on Equal Opportunity (GCEO)

Filing Deadline

1 year (365 days) from the alleged discriminatory act

Visit Agency Website

Key Provisions

  • Covers discrimination in rental advertising, terms/conditions, and provision of services
  • Protects against retaliation for filing complaints or participating in investigations
  • GCEO investigates complaints and may pursue administrative hearings
  • Complainant may also file directly in state superior court within 2 years
  • Georgia is one of the weaker states for housing protections beyond the federal baseline

Available Remedies

  • Compensatory damages (actual losses)
  • Punitive damages
  • Injunctive relief (stop discriminatory practice, restore tenancy)
  • Attorney's fees and court costs
  • Civil penalties
Important Deadlines

Filing Deadlines in Georgia

Missing a deadline can forfeit your legal claim. Know your windows.

Law / AgencyDeadlineFiled With
Federal Fair Housing Act (HUD)180 daysHUD (direct filing)
Federal Fair Housing Act (Court)2 yearsFederal or state court
GA FHA1 year (365 days) from the alleged discriminatory actGeorgia Commission on Equal Opportunity (GCEO)

Check Your Rights in Georgia

Answer a few questions about your housing situation to see which federal and Georgia state laws may protect you.

Start Free Assessment →

Find a Georgia Tenant Rights Attorney

Connect with a landlord-tenant attorney in Georgia who can review your case and advise you on next steps.

Find an Attorney →

Legal Disclaimer

This page provides general legal information about Georgia tenant rights for educational purposes only. It is not legal advice, and no attorney-client relationship is created. Laws change frequently; verify current statutes with your state agency or a qualified attorney. If you believe your rights have been violated, consult a licensed landlord-tenant attorney in Georgia.