Georgia Rental Lease Agreement Template

Key Takeaways

• Tailored Leasing: Customize leases with tenant information, rental terms, and utility details, while suggesting legal review for additional provisions to ensure compliance.
• Key Management: Tenants are financially responsible for lost keys and the subsequent rekeying costs.
• Georgia Compliance: Georgia-specific clauses, such as late fees and occupancy rules, and highlights the need for edits to be legally compliant.
  County-Specific Ordinances: Varied local regulations across Georgia counties necessitate awareness of unique clauses affecting rental terms, property maintenance, and tenant rights.
• Nationwide Best Practices: Standard clauses for all U.S. landlords cover subletting, property alterations, and legal adherence, emphasizing landlord approval and tenant responsibilities.

Custom Lease

Section 1 is where landlords can tailor the lease to their specific circumstances, including tenant information, rental prices, and utility details. This section is completed during the lease creation process on TurboTenant’s platform. Designed for simplicity and understanding, the lease starts with a summary table for easy reference, followed by more detailed provisions, including policies on smoking, utilities, and key management.

Notable features of Section 1 include:

• Additional Provisions: Landlords have the flexibility to insert specific rules or local clauses necessary for their property. It is prudent to review these with an attorney to ensure legal compliance.
• Lost Key Policy: Should tenants fail to return keys at the end of their lease, they are held financially responsible for the cost of rekeying.

State-Specific Clauses

Section 2 corresponds with Georgia state law, providing clauses that are written to maintain legal compliance, but our Advanced Editor allows changes to be made with full disclosure that any edits may take you out of full compliance with state and/or local law and consultation with an attorney is advised. Highlighted clauses include:

• Late Fees (Section 2.1): Rent is expected on the 1st of each month, with a late fee of 10% of unpaid rent enforceable if payment isn’t made by 5:00 pm on the 2nd.
• Occupancy Limits and Guests (Section 2.5): The agreement defines who may reside on the property, including tenants and dependents, with guest limitations.
• Notification of Repairs (Section 2.7): Tenants are obligated to pay for repairs resulting from misuse and must promptly report serious property issues.
• Flooding Disclosure (Section 2.15): Landlords must disclose if the property has experienced significant flooding within the past five years.

County Specific Provisions

Here is a list of some counties in Georgia, highlighting unique clauses that may be present due to local regulations:

Fulton County

• Atlanta may have specific ordinances regarding rental inspections and permits.
• Clauses concerning tenant protections and affordable housing requirements.

Gwinnett County

• Local ordinances in Lawrenceville affecting property maintenance and safety codes.
• Regulations for handling and returning security deposits.

Cobb County

• Marietta’s housing codes might necessitate additional lease disclosures.
• Specific requirements for rental property upkeep and tenant rights.

DeKalb County

• Decatur’s and other cities’ regulations on rental property conditions and habitability.
• Clauses related to noise control and waste management.

Chatham County

• Savannah’s historic district regulations could influence lease terms, particularly in maintaining the property’s aesthetic.
• Ordinances on short-term rentals and vacation properties.

Clayton County

• Local housing authority regulations that may affect leasing agreements.
• Rules on landlord-tenant relations in areas like Jonesboro.

Cherokee County

• Woodstock’s local codes on rental property standards and tenant safety.
• Clauses for residential rental licensing and inspections.

Forsyth County

• Cumming’s ordinances on property maintenance and tenant protections.
• Regulations on rental housing in newly developed areas.

Hall County

• Gainesville’s specific requirements for rental properties near Lake Lanier, potentially including environmental stipulations.
• Clauses regarding property inspections and occupancy standards.

Richmond County

• Augusta’s code enforcement policies that may require lease agreement adjustments.
• Tenant protection laws and safety requirements for rental properties.

Landlords in Georgia should ensure they are informed about the specific local ordinances that could impact their lease agreements, in addition to state laws. It is advisable to consult with a legal professional when drafting lease agreements to ensure compliance with both state and county regulations.

General Clauses

The final section outlines clauses standard to lease agreements nationwide, emphasizing best practices for landlords:

• Subletting (Section 3.1): Tenants need written consent from the landlord to sublease the property.
• Property Alterations (Section 3.2): Any changes to the property must be approved by the landlord in writing.
• Follow the Law (Section 3.14): Tenants must adhere to all applicable laws and avoid causing disturbances.

FAQ