Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Augusta-Richmond County is a consolidated city-county government located along the Savannah River in east-central Georgia, home to roughly 200,000 residents. The area has a significant renter population, fueled in part by Fort Eisenhower (formerly Fort Gordon), Augusta University, Paine College, and a growing healthcare sector. Renters here most commonly search for information about security deposit returns, eviction notice requirements, and what to do when landlords fail to make repairs.
Georgia's landlord-tenant law is considered relatively landlord-friendly compared to many other states. There is no statewide implied warranty of habitability, no rent control, and limited statutory anti-retaliation protections. What rights tenants do have are found primarily in Title 44, Chapter 7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (O.C.G.A.). Augusta-Richmond County has not enacted any local tenant protection ordinances beyond what state law requires.
This article is intended as general information only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws change, and your specific situation may differ. If you face eviction or a serious housing dispute, contact a qualified attorney or a legal aid organization serving the Augusta area.
Augusta-Richmond County has no rent control ordinance, and Georgia state law does not impose any cap on how much a landlord may raise rent. Unlike some states that explicitly preempt local rent control by statute, Georgia does not have a formal preemption law on rent stabilization — but no Georgia city or county has successfully enacted rent control either, and the state's political and legal environment makes such legislation unlikely at the local level.
In practice, this means Augusta landlords may raise rent by any amount, at any time, as long as proper written notice is given before the change takes effect. For month-to-month tenants, a landlord must provide at least 60 days' written notice before a rent increase takes effect, consistent with the termination notice requirement under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7. For tenants with a fixed-term lease, rent cannot be increased until the lease expires unless the lease itself permits mid-term increases. Once the lease ends, landlords are free to offer a renewal at a higher rate or to decline to renew entirely.
Renters in Augusta-Richmond County who are concerned about rising rents should carefully review their lease terms before signing, keep documentation of all rent payments, and seek legal assistance from the Georgia Legal Services Program if they believe a rent increase or lease non-renewal is being used as retaliation for exercising a legal right.
The following state-law protections apply to renters in Augusta-Richmond County under Title 44, Chapter 7 of the O.C.G.A.:
Security Deposits (O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-30 through 44-7-37): Landlords who collect a security deposit must hold it in a separate escrow account or post a surety bond. Within 30 days of the tenancy ending, the landlord must return the deposit with a written, itemized statement of any deductions. If the landlord fails to comply, the tenant may be entitled to recover the full deposit plus additional damages.
Habitability and Repairs (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-13): Georgia does not recognize an implied warranty of habitability for all rental units. However, landlords who own five or more rental units are statutorily required to keep those units in good repair and in a fit and habitable condition. Tenants in smaller buildings must rely on the specific terms of their lease and applicable local housing codes enforced by Augusta-Richmond County's code enforcement division.
Notice to Terminate (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7): Either a landlord or a tenant in a month-to-month tenancy must give the other party at least 60 days' written notice before terminating the tenancy, unless the lease specifies a different period. Week-to-week tenancies require only 7 days' notice.
Anti-Retaliation (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-24): Georgia provides limited statutory protection against landlord retaliation. A landlord may not terminate a tenancy, refuse to renew a lease, or raise rent in retaliation for a tenant reporting housing code violations to a government agency. Tenants who believe retaliation is occurring should document all communications in writing and consult legal aid promptly.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50): A landlord in Augusta-Richmond County cannot remove a tenant without going through the formal dispossessory process. Changing locks, removing doors or windows, shutting off utilities, or removing a tenant's belongings without a court order is illegal. Tenants subjected to self-help eviction may seek damages in court.
Georgia's security deposit rules are set out in O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-30 through 44-7-37 and apply fully to rental units in Augusta-Richmond County. There is no statutory cap on the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit — the amount is negotiated between landlord and tenant and specified in the lease.
Holding Requirements: Landlords must hold security deposits in a separate escrow account at a state or federally insured bank or savings institution, or alternatively post a surety bond with the clerk of the Superior Court of Richmond County. The landlord must notify the tenant in writing of the account location or bond within 30 days of receiving the deposit (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-31).
Return Deadline: After the tenancy ends and the tenant has vacated and provided a forwarding address, the landlord has 30 days to return the deposit along with a written, itemized statement of any deductions for unpaid rent or damages beyond normal wear and tear (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34). If the rental property is sold during that period, the deadline shortens to 3 days after the sale closes.
Failure to Comply: If a landlord fails to return the deposit or provide an itemized statement within the required time, and the failure is not in good faith, the tenant may sue for the full amount of the deposit plus any additional damages proven in court (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-35). Tenants should always document the condition of the unit at move-in and move-out with dated photographs and written notes, and provide a written forwarding address to the landlord upon vacating.
In Augusta-Richmond County, landlords must follow Georgia's formal dispossessory process to remove a tenant. Self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing belongings, or cutting off utilities — is illegal under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50 and may expose the landlord to civil liability.
Step 1 — Written Demand to Vacate: Before filing in court, the landlord must make a written demand for possession. For non-payment of rent, this demand is typically a written notice to pay or vacate. Georgia law does not mandate a specific minimum notice period for non-payment evictions beyond the demand itself, but most landlords provide at least a few days. For a tenant holding over after a lease expires or for other lease violations, the landlord must terminate the tenancy with appropriate notice (60 days for month-to-month under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7) before filing.
Step 2 — Filing a Dispossessory Affidavit: If the tenant does not comply with the demand, the landlord files a dispossessory affidavit with the Magistrate Court of Richmond County (located at the Augusta Judicial Center). The filing fee is paid at that time. The court then issues a summons served on the tenant by a marshal or sheriff.
Step 3 — Tenant's Right to Answer: Under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-51, the tenant has 7 days from the date of service to file a written answer with the court. Filing an answer prevents a default judgment and ensures the tenant gets a hearing before a magistrate judge. Tenants should appear at all hearings; failure to appear typically results in a judgment for the landlord.
Step 4 — Hearing and Judgment: At the hearing, both parties present their case. If the judge rules for the landlord, a writ of possession is issued. The tenant typically has a brief period — often a few days — to vacate before the writ is enforced by a marshal.
Step 5 — Writ of Possession: If the tenant does not leave voluntarily after judgment, the landlord may request enforcement of the writ of possession, at which point a Richmond County marshal can remove the tenant and their belongings from the property.
No Just-Cause Requirement: Neither Augusta-Richmond County nor Georgia state law requires a landlord to have just cause to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. A landlord may decline to renew a lease or give notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy for any reason that is not unlawfully discriminatory or retaliatory.
The information provided on this page is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws in Georgia and Augusta-Richmond County can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. Nothing on this page creates an attorney-client relationship. If you have a specific legal problem — including eviction, a security deposit dispute, or a landlord who refuses to make repairs — please consult a licensed Georgia attorney or contact a legal aid organization such as the Georgia Legal Services Program. RentCheckMe makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this information and is not responsible for actions taken in reliance on it.
Find out if your home is covered by rent control or tenant protections.
Use the Address Checker →We'll email you if the rent cap, coverage rules, or tenant protections change — no spam, unsubscribe any time.