Last reviewed July 2026
Written by LawLease Editorial
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Georgia Security Deposit Return Letter
When a tenancy ends, a Georgia landlord has a set time to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions. Here’s what Georgia’s statute says.
Georgia rules at a glance
| Return deadline | 30 days. The deposit must be returned within 30 days of the landlord regaining possession, with an itemized statement of any deductions; ordinary wear and tear can’t be charged.OCGA §44-7-34 |
|---|---|
| Penalty | Where it applies, wrongfully withholding a deposit can cost the landlord up to three times the amount plus attorney’s fees.OCGA §44-7-35 |
Security deposits in Georgia
Since July 1, 2024, a Georgia landlord may not collect more than two months’ rent as a security deposit — counting any damage deposit, advance rent, and pet deposit together (§44-7-30.1). The deposit must be returned within 30 days of the landlord regaining possession, with an itemized statement of any deductions; ordinary wear and tear can’t be charged (§44-7-34).
- Escrow — Deposits generally must be held in a separate escrow account (or secured by a surety bond), with written notice to the tenant of where it’s held (§§44-7-31, 44-7-32).
- Move-in damage list — Before collecting a deposit, the landlord gives the tenant a list of existing damage to inspect and sign (§44-7-33).
- Small-landlord exemption — A self-managing owner who (with spouse and minor children) owns 10 or fewer units and uses no third-party manager is exempt from the escrow, move-in-list, and bad-faith-penalty rules — but still must meet the 30-day return and itemization duty (§44-7-36).
- Bad-faith penalty — Where it applies, wrongfully withholding a deposit can cost the landlord up to three times the amount plus attorney’s fees (§44-7-35).
Georgia Security Deposit Return Letter FAQs
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Georgia?
No more than two months’ rent, combining any damage, advance-rent, and pet deposit (§44-7-30.1). This cap took effect July 1, 2024 under the Safe at Home Act and applies to every landlord, regardless of how many units they own.
How long does a landlord have to return a deposit in Georgia?
30 days after regaining possession, with a written itemized statement of any deductions (§44-7-34). Missing the deadline generally forfeits the right to keep any of it — unless the landlord qualifies for the small-owner exemption, though the 30-day duty still applies (§§44-7-35, 44-7-36).
More Georgia landlord documents
- Georgia Residential Lease Agreement
- Georgia Eviction Notice
- Georgia Rent Increase Notice
- Georgia Notice to Vacate
- Georgia Application Approval Letter
- Georgia Application Denial Letter
- Georgia Background & Credit Check Authorization
- Georgia Rental Application
- Georgia Co-Signer Guarantor Agreement
- Georgia Bed Bug Addendum
- Georgia Mold & Mildew Addendum
- Georgia No-Smoking Addendum
- Georgia Parking & Storage Addendum
- Georgia HOA & Community Rules Addendum
- Georgia Crime-Free Housing Addendum
- Georgia Utilities & Services Addendum
- Georgia Early Termination Addendum
- Georgia Lease Extension Addendum
- Georgia Lead-Based Paint Disclosure
- Georgia Military Clause (SCRA)
- Georgia Pet Addendum
- Georgia Cash for Keys Agreement
- Georgia Mutual Lease Termination Agreement
- Georgia Lease Renewal Agreement
- Georgia Notice of Non-Renewal
- Georgia Late Rent Notice
- Georgia Lease Violation Notice
- Georgia Notice of Entry
- Georgia Move-In / Move-Out Inspection Checklist
- Georgia Rent Receipt
- Georgia Rent Verification Letter
- Georgia Tenant Welcome Letter
- Georgia Property Management Agreement
- Georgia Commercial Lease
- Georgia Rent-to-Own Agreement
- Georgia Short-Term Rental Agreement
- Georgia Room Rental Agreement
- Georgia Roommate Agreement
- Georgia Spanish Lease Agreement
- Georgia Sublease Agreement
- Georgia Lease Amendment
Security Deposit Return Letter in other states
- Alabama Security Deposit Return Letter
- Alaska Security Deposit Return Letter
- Arizona Security Deposit Return Letter
- Arkansas Security Deposit Return Letter
- California Security Deposit Return Letter
- Colorado Security Deposit Return Letter
- Connecticut Security Deposit Return Letter
- Delaware Security Deposit Return Letter
- District of Columbia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Florida Security Deposit Return Letter
- Hawaii Security Deposit Return Letter
- Idaho Security Deposit Return Letter
- Illinois Security Deposit Return Letter
- Indiana Security Deposit Return Letter
- Iowa Security Deposit Return Letter
- Kansas Security Deposit Return Letter
- Kentucky Security Deposit Return Letter
- Louisiana Security Deposit Return Letter
- Maine Security Deposit Return Letter
- Maryland Security Deposit Return Letter
- Massachusetts Security Deposit Return Letter
- Michigan Security Deposit Return Letter
- Minnesota Security Deposit Return Letter
- Mississippi Security Deposit Return Letter
- Missouri Security Deposit Return Letter
- Montana Security Deposit Return Letter
- Nebraska Security Deposit Return Letter
- Nevada Security Deposit Return Letter
- New Hampshire Security Deposit Return Letter
- New Jersey Security Deposit Return Letter
- New Mexico Security Deposit Return Letter
- New York Security Deposit Return Letter
- North Carolina Security Deposit Return Letter
- North Dakota Security Deposit Return Letter
- Ohio Security Deposit Return Letter
- Oklahoma Security Deposit Return Letter
- Oregon Security Deposit Return Letter
- Pennsylvania Security Deposit Return Letter
- Rhode Island Security Deposit Return Letter
- South Carolina Security Deposit Return Letter
- South Dakota Security Deposit Return Letter
- Tennessee Security Deposit Return Letter
- Texas Security Deposit Return Letter
- Utah Security Deposit Return Letter
- Vermont Security Deposit Return Letter
- Virginia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Washington Security Deposit Return Letter
- West Virginia Security Deposit Return Letter
- Wisconsin Security Deposit Return Letter
- Wyoming Security Deposit Return Letter
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