How to Be a Landlord in Georgia
The Georgia Real Estate Commission is responsible for regulating real estate brokers, homeowners association managers and real estate salespersons. Although the Official Code of Georgia Annotated requires licensure for brokers, salespersons and community property managers, it does not require landlords to obtain a residential property license. However, some individual counties in Georgia require landlords to register for a housing inspection certificate to ensure compliance with local building codes. Before becoming a landlord in Georgia, check your local government's website for mandatory inspection and certification requirements.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Advertise your vacant apartment or house. Make sure you comply with the federal Fair Housing Act and Georgia's Fair Housing Law. According to these laws, you cannot use discriminatory rental advertisements or engage in discriminatory rental practices against tenants based on race, national origin, family status, religion, gender, color or disability.
-
2
Download the "Georgia Landlord Tenant Handbook" from the Georgia Department of Community Affairs website. The Georgia Legal Services Program drafted the handbook for the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. The handbook offers a broad overview of your duties as a Georgia landlord and explains tenants' rights.
-
-
3
Install a working smoke detector in your house. Georgia law requires that all rental units contain at least one smoke detector in a central area outside of sleeping areas. If you rent a home with more than one level, you'll need to install one on each floor. Make sure you comply with any additional local ordinances and building codes governing safety.
-
4
Purchase a renter's insurance policy. Your policy can cover common areas and your property, but it will probably not cover your tenants' personal belongings. You may require or recommend a separate policy for your tenants.
-
5
Disclose the possibility of flooding with your tenants. If flooding damaged your home at least three times within the last five years, Georgia law requires you to provide your tenants with a written disclosure that the property is susceptible to flooding before leasing your apartments.
-
6
Understand your rights and duties to respond truthfully to any questions from tenants regarding the previous history of your rental property. You may be required to disclose information related to previous illnesses of past tenants and their criminal activities on-site.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Review and understand your responsibilities under the Georgia landlord and tenant act as outlined in the "Georgia Landlord Tenant Handbook." You will need to understand when you can collect fees, including security deposits, application fees and late fees, when you can raise rent and your termination and eviction rights.
Although some jurisdictions require landlords to mitigate their damages when tenants prematurely terminate their leases, Georgia does not. Thus, you may be able to avoid re-renting your apartment if your tenants unilaterally terminate their lease without notice or if they abandon your property.
If you rent an apartment with multiple units, Georgia law requires you to have only a single utility and water meter. You must disclose to each tenant how you will divide the bill between them before renting. You cannot charge more than the actual bill and earn a profit.
The Georgia Code requires you to follow a strict pre-inspection procedure if you collect a security deposit.
