Free Georgia Residential Lease Agreement

A lease agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a tenant. This is written to conform to state laws where the property is located. In Georgia these allow both parties to comply with a series of set terms for a specified number of months or years.

Rental contracts and lease agreements have a lot of similarities as they both set out payment plans and the terms of use for a house or apartment. However, the big difference is the duration that they cover. Rental agreements usually only cover short-term tenancies of a few months at a time or month-to-month contracts.

A lease agreement should contain the following details:

• How long the tenant may legally reside in the property

• How much rent should be paid

• Information about the security deposits necessary

• When rental installments are due

• Any additional costs that must be serviced by the tenant

• The rules regarding the proper use of the property

• Situations that constitute lease violation eviction procedures

There are many types of GA lease agreement forms that can be used to manage and legally bind different types of rental situations. They allow landlords to rent out various types of property they might have and for tenants to find the best kind of tenancy for their needs.

The most common types of lease agreements in Georgia include:

• Standard residential lease agreements: Under a standard lease agreement both the landlord and tenant commit to a fixed set of terms that last for a series of months or years.

• Month-to-month rental agreements: Month-to-month lease agreements will often have similar basic terms to standard residential lease contracts. However, they differ as they can be renewed or ended on a month-by-month basis. Their terms may also be flexibly altered each month. 

• Commercial lease agreements: Commercial leases are provided by landlords of retail property to tenants that intend to use the real estate to run a business.

• Room rental agreements: In rental properties with shared living areas a room rental agreement can be used to rent a singular bedroom. 

• Lease to Own Agreement: This type of agreement features an option for the tenant to eventually purchase the property. It also includes the necessary terms and conditions for this transaction to eventually occur. 

• Sublease Agreement: a Georgia sublease agreement allows tenants to reassign or ‘sublease’ the property to another individual. This requires the property landlord’s permission and must be specifically allowed in the original lease.

Georgia lease agreements must contain a few disclosures and addendums when they are completed and signed. This is to properly inform the tenant of any health risks or potential issues with the property or details about how the property is managed that they must be aware of. 

These essential addendums include the following: 

• Lead paint disclosure: If the rental unit is in a building constructed before 1978, the landlord or their agent must disclose whether lead paint can be found on the property and must provide safety information for any located on the premises (GA Rule 391.3.24). 

• Agent/owner identification: The lease agreement must include a section or an addendum that discloses the contact information of the landlord or a chosen agent who will act on their behalf (GA Code § 44-7-3).

• Security deposit location: Security deposits must be held in a separate bank account that is only used for holding security deposits. The bank or lending institution must be regulated by the state of Georgia or the United States government.(GA Code § 44-7-31)

• Move-in / move-out check list: Landlords in Georgia must inform tenants of the names and addresses of the property's owner and manager before they move in. Any changes need to be notified in written form. (GA Code § 44-7-33).

A GA lease agreement must be written and signed within the laws of Georgia state, otherwise, it will be legally contestable and can be declared invalid and block either party from recourse if a violation is committed. These will police how you start and end the contract and control what procedures you can reasonably ask a tenant to follow.

The most important laws to consider when you are renting a property in Georgia include:

• Security deposits: There is no limit to the amount GA landlords can charge if the property is a non-rent control unit. This must be returned to the tenant within one month of vacating the property and returning the keys. Landlords must also give advance notice of any deductions (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-31).

• Landlord’s right to enter: Landlords can enter the rental property by without having to give advance notice (a written notice is recommended). However, entry is only allowed according to the conditions specified within the lease agreement. Depending on the agreement in question, this may mean that an entry notification is necessary or that entering is only allowed in the case of an emergency (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-1). 

To create a legally binding agreement in Georgia, it is necessary to include all relevant information and terms. 

Follow these steps to ensure that the agreement is well-written and complies with Georgia legislation:

• Determine the parties involved: The lease agreement must state the names of the landlord and tenant(s).

  

• Indicate the property's address and intended use: The agreement must clearly indicate the property's address and how it will be used.

  

• Define the lease terms: Include the start and end dates of the lease, as well as any provisions for extending or renewing it.

  

• Outline payment details: The agreement must state the rent price, payment method, due date, and any fees for late payments.

  

• Describe deposit information: This section should indicate the amount of the security deposit and the timeframe for returning it to the tenant.

  

• List the occupants: If there are any non-paying occupants residing on the property, they must be named in the lease agreement.

  

• Clarify utility responsibilities: This section should define which utilities the tenant(s) are responsible for and which are the landlord's responsibility.

• Provide list of furnishings: If the property is furnished, an itemized list must be included in the agreement.

  

• Mention the governing law: The lease agreement must indicate that it will be governed by Georgia state law.

  

• Add a signature section: Include a section where the landlord and tenant(s) can sign the agreement.

  

Lower the probability of mistakes by using a Georgia Residential Lease Agreement template to write your document.

Before beginning the process of creating a residential lease agreement in Georgia it is sensible to review an example document first. Use our GA lease agreement sample below to find out more about the structure and contents of a fully-fledged rental contract.

Besides lease agreements, there are various other legal documents that are commonly used by landlords. If you are the owner of a rental property, one of the following forms may be helpful for you: 

• Georgia Rental application

• Georgia Eviction notice