Georgia Landlord Tenant Info.

09/24/2026

For Small Landlords

You should require security deposit payment at least a week before you hand the keys to the new tenant. This way, if the security deposit check bounces, you're protected.

Another way to protect yourself is to require a certified check from a bank to cover the deposit.

08/27/2026

I cannot say this enough. If a judge tells you to stop talking, stop talking. If you want to preserve something for appeal in State or Superior Court, and you have a court reporter, ask to put it on the record for appeal.

The last thing you want to do is to "escorted" out by deputies/marshals. The absolute last thing you want is to be arrested for disturbing the peace as you argue with law enforcement in the courthouse.

If you don't have self-control, learn it before your court date. There are too many people who watch too many TV court dramas. TV court dramas aren't real life.

08/22/2026

Effective September 1, 2026, the Firm will have new prices for all areas. Unfortunately, increased expenses and increased communications time that many clients want require the fee adjustment. This increase is for new cases only.

08/19/2026

I was asked today why I don't have a paralegal. I love how people spend my money.

The average paralegal salary in the Atlanta area is $67,486. A good one costs more with benefits.

So, small firm lawyers have two options:
(1) hire the paralegal and charge everything at a high hourly rate, make it up with an insane number of cases or take large cases worth $100,000+ or
(2) keep a blended rate and serve those with mid level value cases (with an occasional large case).

Most landlord-tenant cases are in the mid level value anyway. So, it makes sense for me to choose option 2.

08/18/2026

If you make portal entries on your landlord's system, I recommend you print before and after you send the communications. Don't expect these entries to be there when you need them. Things disappear and management has the ability to lock you out from the system.

Send a message to learn more

08/15/2026

I have never seen such unprofessional behavior in my 30+ years. That lawyer in the first segment is disgraceful. Don't act like her.
https://youtu.be/NbiVwNebGDI?is=Pjy6UvJmBVlqfBR5

08/15/2026

If you are representing yourself, you might think that AI will give you the answers that will allow you to impress your opponent and the judge.

You might land short of your goal if you miss important steps in your preparation. I have found the best way to use AI is to ask the questions online, look at the paper clipped sources, read those sources, make sure they are still valid, and print them out to show opposing counsel and the judge.

9 times out of 10, when I ask a caller who claims they know the answers to tell me the source so I can review it over the phone with them, they don't have it and can't pull it up. Always backup your work so it's easy to find.

07/30/2026

It Could Be Worse

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1Da9WvnLD5/

07/28/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DULby2NT6/

This type of advice and the comment section make me angry because people think it's true.

In Georgia, there is a baseline rule of permission and what you agree to in your lease. Before you take a hard-line stance on when a landlord can enter your premises, check your lease. It's normally captioned "Access". You may have waived permission in certain circumstances beyond emergencies.

07/20/2026

Small Landlords:

These "court shows" should not be your source for the law. Although Judge Judy was a NY judge, her show is a televised binding arbitration. This clip shows how wrong she is under Georgia law:

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1FKbeHtSYD/

If you want to end a tenancy, give a 3 business day pay or quit notice for failure to pay rent or a 60 day notice for a month to month tenant.

If they don't move, you have to take them to court.