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Georgia Security Deposit Limit

no statutory limit

Georgia 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.

StateSecurity Deposit Limit
Georgiano statutory limit
Hawaii1 month's rent
Idahono statutory limit
Illinoisno statewide limit (local caps in some cities)
Indiana1.5 months' rent (longer leases)

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.

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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.