Georgia Security Deposit Limit
no statutory limitGeorgia has no statewide statutory cap on residential security deposits — the amount is a matter of contract between you and the landlord. That makes reviewing the deposit clause in your lease especially important.
Educational information: generated from our Georgia law database (last updated 2024-01-01). Not legal advice.
How Georgia compares
30 of 51 US jurisdictions cap security deposits by statute; the other 21 set no statewide cap (local caps can still apply in some cities). Here is how Georgia compares with other states in our database.
Frequently asked questions
- How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Georgia?
- Georgia sets no statewide statutory maximum on security deposits, so the amount is negotiated in the lease. Georgia is one of 21 US jurisdictions without a statewide deposit cap. No statutory limit on deposit amount. Must be returned within 30 days. Landlords with 10+ units must use escrow account or surety bond. Must provide written list of damages within 3 days of lease start. Penalty of up to 3x deposit plus attorney fees for wrongful withholding.
- Does Georgia require landlords to pay interest on security deposits?
- No. Georgia does not have a statewide requirement that landlords pay interest on security deposits.
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Georgia?
- Georgia landlords generally must return the deposit within 30 days (60 for military tenants) after move-out.
Check Your Lease Against Georgia Law
Not sure whether your lease complies with Georgia law? Upload it and our analyzer flags problem clauses — deposit terms, entry rights, fees and prohibited provisions — using the same statute-backed database this page is generated from.
Analyze My Lease FreeEducational tool — not legal advice. First analysis is free, no signup required.
More Georgia lease law guides
Educational information generated from state statute data — not legal advice. Consult a licensed attorney in Georgia for your specific situation.