section,subject,provision,key_figure,notes
"O.C.G.A. 44-7-30.1","Security deposit cap","No landlord shall demand or receive a security deposit exceeding the equivalent of two months rent.","two months rent","Applies to lease agreements entered into or renewed on or after 1 July 2024. Created by House Bill 404, the Safe at Home Act, Ga. L. 2024, p. 91, s. 4. Refundable deposits are counted together toward the cap. Non-refundable fees are a separate category and are not counted toward it."
"O.C.G.A. 44-7-31","Escrow requirement","A security deposit must be held in an escrow account at a state or federally regulated depository, used for no other purpose, with written notice to the tenant of the account location. A surety bond is an alternative.","separate escrow account or surety bond","Subject to the exemption in 44-7-36."
"O.C.G.A. 44-7-33","Move-in inspection list","Before accepting a security deposit the landlord must give the tenant a written list of existing damage. A landlord who fails to do so forfeits the right to retain any portion of the deposit.","written list before deposit accepted","The forfeiture consequence is unusually severe and makes the walkthrough list the decisive document in most deposit disputes. Subject to the exemption in 44-7-36."
"O.C.G.A. 44-7-34","Return deadline","Within thirty days of the end of the tenancy the landlord must return the deposit, or return the balance together with a written statement itemising each deduction.","thirty days","Runs from the end of the tenancy rather than from the tenant giving notice."
"O.C.G.A. 44-7-35","Bad faith remedy","A landlord who withholds a deposit in bad faith may be liable for treble the amount wrongfully withheld.","treble damages","A statutory remedy, not a discretionary award."
"O.C.G.A. 44-7-36",Exemption,"The escrow and inspection requirements do not apply to a landlord who is a natural person owning ten or fewer rental units and who does not use a management company.","ten or fewer units, self managed","The deposit cap and the thirty day return deadline are not part of this exemption. Establish early whether your landlord is an individual owner or a management company, because it changes which requirements apply."