Georgia state has various laws regarding the use of rental applications. If your document is not compliant with GA law, you may get sued by the applicant and face legal consequences.
Application Fee
There is no limit in terms of what application fee can be charged by Georgia landlords. Furthermore, the application fee is non-refundable regardless of its amount.
Security Deposit
Similar to the application fee law, there is no Georgia statute defining a limit on the amount landlords can charge tenants for security deposits. However, it is recommended not to charge more than 1-2 months rent for this amount.
Housing Discrimination Law
In Georgia, there is no specific state law relating to housing discrimination. However, the Fair Housing Act (FHA) is in place. The FHA states that it is illegal to discriminate based on the following characteristics:
- Race
- Color
- Nationality
- Religion
- Sex
- Familial status
- Disability
- Criminal history
As a consequence, you are not allowed to ask for any of these details on a Georgia Rental Application form nor to include them in the decision-making process.
Notice of Eligibility
Potential tenants must be informed about the screening criteria and reasons for denial or approval. To prove that these facts were shared, a signature of acknowledgment must be provided within the application or alongside it.
Consent Credit Check
Within Georgia, federal law is in effect that requires potential renters to provide written consent for a credit history check during the application process. This is known as the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).