Landlord & Tenant Laws in Georgia.

In Georgia, a landlord generally must return the security deposit within 30 days after obtaining possession of the premises, minus any lawful deductions, and must provide a written statement of the exact reasons for any retention.

Within 3 business days after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates or surrenders the premises, the landlord generally must inspect the unit, prepare a list of damages forming the basis for any deduction, and make that list available to the tenant for inspection and dissent.

If a landlord fails to follow Georgia's required security-deposit procedures or wrongfully withholds money in bad faith, the tenant may be able to recover up to three times the amount improperly withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees in the right case.

Some Georgia security-deposit procedures do not apply to rental units owned by a natural person, spouse, and minor children collectively owning ten or fewer rental units, unless management is handled by a third party for a fee.