Legal FAQs for Renters in Georgia

Georgia’s statewide emergency protections have expired.

Landlords may now try to sue tenants to evict them. If you are worried about an eviction, reach out as soon as possible to your local legal aid group. The lawyers may be able to help you find protections and services to deal with your eviction.

The Georgia courts can decide whether to freeze eviction hearings or not. The Georgia Supreme Court has also advised local courts to conduct video proceedings whenever possible.

The national CDC eviction ban expired on August 26, 2021.

Since emergency protections have expired, then in Georgia:

• Your landlord can still give you a notice to quit.

• Your landlord can still file an eviction claim against you.

• Hearings on eviction depend on local regulations, and the court may still hear an eviction case against you.

• The court can still issue a new order, judgment, or writ of eviction against you.

• Law enforcement can still enforce an existing eviction order against you, to remove you from your home.

Yes, your rent is still due in Georgia, and you can be evicted if you do not pay on time.

If you cannot pay rent, take steps to protect yourself:

• Apply for rental assistance immediately: If you need financial assistance for housing costs like rent or utility bills, you may be able to get help.
• Communicate with your landlord: Send a written letter or email to your landlord as soon as possible. You can also try to negotiate with your landlord to make a payment plan or get a temporary rent reduction. Get help here for drafting and mailing a letter to your landlord. You can also use this letter-writing tool here.

• Get written records of all communication: Keep copies of any letter or email you send, and any responses from the landlord. Keep receipts for any payments you make, that are signed and dated. If you make a payment plan or rent agreement, make sure to get it in writing.

• Keep proof of COVID-19’s impact on you: Collect documents about your COVID-19-related employment problems, health care issues, or other issues that affect your ability to pay rent. This includes letters from your employer, doctor, insurance provider, child care provider, schools, etc.

Yes, you can still be evicted during the emergency in Georgia.

Also check with your local government to see if they provide any additional local protections.

If you receive a notice to quit from your landlord, or an eviction lawsuit, reach out for legal help.

Some Georgia renters may be protected against utility shutoffs during the emergency. It depends on where you live.

There are no statewide protections, but some utilities companies, including Georgia Power, have said they will not shut off utilities during the emergency.

Renters must still pay their utility bills. If you need financial assistance for utility costs, you may be able to get help.

Landlords are never allowed to shut off a renter’s utilities in an attempt to force the renter out. This is illegal. Reach out to a lawyer for help if this happens to you.

Tell your landlord about any repairs needed, particularly if they affect your health and safety.

The emergency may delay your landlord’s ability to make repairs, but if they are urgent you should call your landlord to make the repairs as soon as possible.

Emergency repairs could be for problems with:

• Running water or hot water
• Heat
• Stove, refrigerator, or oven
• Electricity
• Bathroom use
• Missing doors, locks, or windows
• Pests

If your landlord doesn’t make the repairs promptly, send them a written letter or email about the need for emergency repairs and keep a copy of this communication.

Find legal help to get advice for your situation. You should also contact your local code enforcement department.

You may be able to break your lease if you can come to an agreement with your landlord.

Your lease is still valid despite the emergency period. However, you can talk to your landlord to see if they will agree to let you leave early. If they agree, be sure to get the agreement in writing.

Also, you can review your lease. It may have a part that lets you end the lease early in times of financial difficulty. If your lease has this kind of part, you might be able to break the lease, in some cases penalty-free.

Find legal help to get advice for your situation.

Contact a legal help organization to help defend yourself.

It is illegal for your landlord to evict you without first going to court and getting an eviction order. To remove you from your home, a landlord must file an eviction lawsuit against you, win the case, and get an eviction order from the court.

Legal aid groups might be able to provide you with full representation, or other legal organizations can give you information or brief advice.

Find legal help to protect your rights.

Eviction cases are proceeding in Georgia’s courts. It is up to judges and courts about whether to freeze eviction hearings. Check the Georgia courts’ website for updates.