Rental Agreement Template for Georgia

GEORGIA RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT

Document Control:

• Effective Date: [Effective Date]
• Version: 2024.1
• Jurisdiction/Scope: State of Georgia (O.C.G.A. Title 44, Chapter 7)

---

1. LEGAL NOTICE & DISCLAIMER

DISCLAIMER: This residential lease agreement template is designed to comply with Georgia law, including the Georgia Residential Landlord-Tenant Act (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-1 et seq.). However, landlord-tenant laws are subject to local ordinances (such as county and municipal codes) and ongoing statutory modifications. This document constitutes a legal contract with significant legal and financial liabilities. Legal counsel and operations architects strongly recommend that both Landlord and Tenant review this instrument with a licensed attorney admitted to the State of Georgia prior to execution.

---

2. PARTIES & DEFINITIONS

This Residential Lease Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into on [Date] (the "Execution Date"), by and between the following parties:

• LANDLORD: [Landlord Full Legal Name / Entity Name], having a principal place of residence/business at [Landlord Street Address, City, State, Zip], hereinafter referred to as the "Landlord," and
• TENANT: [Tenant 1 Full Legal Name] and [Tenant 2 Full Legal Name], hereinafter jointly and severally referred to as the "Tenant."

2.1 Premises

Subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Landlord hereby leases to Tenant, and Tenant hereby takes from Landlord, the real property and improvements located at: [Property Street Address, Unit Number, City, GA Zip] (the "Premises").

2.2 Occupants

The Premises shall be occupied strictly and exclusively by the Tenant(s) named above and the following minor occupant(s): [Names of Minor Occupants or "None"].

2.3 Lease Term

• Commencement Date: [Lease Start Date] at 12:00 PM EST.
• Expiration Date: [Lease End Date] at 11:59 PM EST.
• Type: Fixed-Term Lease. Upon expiration, this Agreement shall automatically convert to a month-to-month tenancy unless either party provides at least sixty (60) days written notice of non-renewal prior to the Expiration Date.

---

3. OPERATIVE CLAUSES & TERMS

3.1 Rent & Payment Terms

1. Monthly Rent: Tenant covenants and agrees to pay to Landlord the sum of [Monthly Rent Amount in Numbers] ([Monthly Rent Amount in Words]) USD per month as base rent (the "Rent").
2. Due Date: Rent is due in advance on the first (1st) calendar day of each month (the "Due Date").
3. Grace Period & Late Fees: Rent received after [Time, e.g., 11:59 PM] on the fifth (5th) calendar day of the month shall be assessed a late fee of [Late Fee Amount, e.g., $50.00] or five percent (5%) of the monthly Rent, whichever is greater, which constitutes liquidated damages for administrative overhead.
4. Returned Payments: Any payment returned for insufficient funds (NSF) or stopped payment shall incur a fee of [NSF Fee Amount, e.g., $35.00] plus applicable late fees.
5. Acceptable Payment Methods: Rent shall be paid via [Electronic Portal / ACH / Certified Funds / Personal Check]. Cash is strictly prohibited.

3.2 Security Deposit (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-30 et seq.)

1. Amount: Upon execution of this Agreement, Tenant shall deposit with Landlord the sum of [Security Deposit Amount] (the "Security Deposit").
2. Escrow Bank: The Security Deposit shall be held in an escrow account at [Name of Georgia Financial Institution], located at [Bank Address].
3. Conditions of Return: The Security Deposit shall be returned to Tenant within three (3) business days after the determination of the termination of tenancy, subject to deductions permitted under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34 for unpaid rent, utility charges, or actual damages exceeding normal wear and tear.
4. Move-in Inspection: Prior to occupancy, Landlord (or Landlord's agent) and Tenant shall complete a comprehensive list of damages to the Premises pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 44-7-33.

3.3 Utilities & Services

Tenant shall be directly responsible for establishing, maintaining, and paying all charges associated with the following utilities:

• [[X]] Electricity ([Utility Provider Name])
• [[X]] Gas ([Utility Provider Name])
• [[X]] Water & Sewer ([Utility Provider Name])
• [[X]] Trash Collection ([Utility Provider Name])
• [[ ]] Internet / Cable Landlord shall be responsible exclusively for: [List Landlord-paid utilities, e.g., HOA dues, property taxes, structural maintenance].

3.4 Use & Maintenance of Premises

1. Residential Use: The Premises shall be used and occupied solely for private residential purposes and for no other purpose whatsoever.
2. Compliance with Law: Tenant shall comply with all federal, state, and municipal laws, ordinances, and HOA bylaws affecting the Premises.
3. Maintenance Obligations: Tenant shall keep the Premises in a clean, sanitary, and safe condition. Tenant shall immediately report any structural defects, water leaks, or mechanical failures to Landlord in writing.
4. Alterations: Tenant shall not paint, wallpaper, or make any structural alterations, additions, or improvements to the Premises without the prior express written consent of Landlord.

3.5 Default & Remedies

If Tenant fails to pay Rent when due, breaches any other material provision of this Agreement, or violates any statutory duty under Georgia law, Landlord may issue a statutory demand for possession (e.g., three (3) day notice to pay or quit). Upon expiration of such notice, Landlord may initiate dispossessory proceedings pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50 et seq., and recover all unpaid rent, damages, court costs, and reasonable attorney's fees as permitted by law.

3.6 Flood Hazard Disclosure (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-20)

If the Premises have flooded at least three (3) times within the last five (5) years immediately preceding the execution of this Agreement, Landlord is required to disclose such condition.

• Disclosure Status: [[ ] Has flooded within the past 5 years / [X] Has NOT flooded within the past 5 years].

3.7 Lead-Based Paint Disclosure

For housing built prior to 1978, Tenant acknowledges receipt of the federal Lead-Based Paint Disclosure and EPA pamphlet, "Protect Your Family in Your Home."

---

4. SIGNATURES & ACKNOWLEDGMENT BLOCK

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Residential Lease Agreement as of the Effective Date written above.

LANDLORD:

Signature: _________________________________________________
Printed Name: [Landlord / Agent Printed Name]
Title: [Title, e.g., Owner / Managing Agent]
Date: [Date]

---

TENANT(S):

Signature: _________________________________________________
Printed Name: [Tenant 1 Printed Name]
Date: [Date]

Signature: _________________________________________________
Printed Name: [Tenant 2 Printed Name]
Date: [Date]

---

5. STEP-BY-STEP EXECUTION GUIDE

1. Review and Verification: Complete all bracketed fields ([...]) ensuring accuracy of names, financial figures, addresses, and utility assignments prior to printing or digital distribution.
2. Mandatory Disclosures Attachment: Attach the required Georgia Security Deposit Escrow Disclosure form (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-31) and, if applicable, the Lead-Based Paint Disclosure and Flood Zone Notification before signing.
3. Move-In Inspection Execution: Conduct the physical walkthrough inspection with the Tenant on or before the Commencement Date, documenting pre-existing conditions and signing the Move-In Inspection Checklist.
4. Execution and Record Retention: Execute all signature blocks in duplicate (one original for Landlord, one for Tenant). Landlord must retain the signed lease agreement and security deposit escrow documentation for a minimum of three (3) years post-tenancy termination.