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Calhoun is a small city of roughly 17,000 residents and the county seat of Gordon County in northwest Georgia. Like many rural and small-town Georgia communities, Calhoun's rental market is governed entirely by Georgia state landlord-tenant law — there are no city-specific tenant protections or local housing ordinances that go beyond what state law provides.
Georgia's landlord-tenant framework is widely regarded as one of the more landlord-friendly in the nation. Notably, the state does not impose a statutory implied warranty of habitability on most landlords, and there is no statewide rent control or rent stabilization of any kind. Despite these gaps, Georgia law still gives Calhoun renters meaningful rights around security deposits, eviction procedures, and protection from self-help remedies like illegal lockouts.
This page summarizes the state statutes that apply to Calhoun renters as of April 2026. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you are facing an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or a habitability crisis, contact a qualified attorney or a legal aid organization serving northwest Georgia.
Calhoun has no rent control, and neither does any other city or county in Georgia. Unlike some states that explicitly preempt local rent control by statute, Georgia has not enacted a formal rent-control preemption law. However, no Georgia municipality has passed a rent control or rent stabilization ordinance, and the legal and political environment in the state makes such local action highly unlikely.
In practical terms, this means a Calhoun landlord may raise your rent by any amount at the end of a lease term or, in a month-to-month tenancy, with proper written notice under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7. There is no cap on rent increases, no required justification for an increase, and no city or county agency that oversees rent levels. Your best protection against unexpected rent hikes is a fixed-term lease that specifies the rent for the entire lease period.
Georgia's landlord-tenant statutes (O.C.G.A. Title 44, Chapter 7) provide the following core protections for Calhoun renters:
Security Deposits (O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-30 through 44-7-37): Landlords must hold security deposits in a separate escrow account or purchase a surety bond. Within 30 days of move-out (or 3 business days if the property is sold), the landlord must return the deposit along with a written itemized statement of any deductions. Failure to comply can expose the landlord to liability for the full deposit amount plus any additional damages a court awards.
Habitability and Repairs (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-13): Georgia does not recognize a general implied warranty of habitability. However, landlords who own five or more rental units are required by statute to keep those units in good repair and in a fit condition for human habitation. For tenants in smaller buildings, habitability obligations arise primarily from the written lease and applicable local housing codes. Regardless of unit count, tenants may not withhold rent as a self-help remedy under Georgia law.
Notice to Terminate a Month-to-Month Tenancy (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7): Either the landlord or the tenant must give at least 60 days written notice to end a month-to-month lease. Shorter notice periods may apply if the written lease specifies them. Fixed-term leases expire at the end of the term unless renewed.
Anti-Retaliation (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-24): Georgia's statutory retaliation protections are limited in scope. Tenants who report code violations or exercise legal rights may have some protection against retaliatory eviction under case law and lease terms, but the state statute does not provide the robust anti-retaliation framework found in many other states. Document every complaint in writing and keep copies of all communications with your landlord.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50 et seq.): A landlord may not remove a tenant by force, change the locks, remove doors or windows, or shut off utilities to force a tenant out. These self-help eviction tactics are illegal in Georgia. A landlord must use the formal dispossessory process through the magistrate court to remove a tenant.
Georgia's security deposit rules are codified at O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-30 through 44-7-37 and apply fully to Calhoun rentals. Key provisions include:
No statutory cap: Georgia law does not limit how large a security deposit a landlord may collect. The amount is set by the lease.
Separate holding required: Landlords must hold deposits in a dedicated escrow account at an insured financial institution, or post a surety bond in the same amount (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-31). They must provide the tenant written notice of where the deposit is held within three days of receipt.
Itemized inspection report: Before collecting a deposit, landlords with more than ten rental units must provide a written move-in inspection checklist documenting the condition of the unit (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-33). Tenants should request this checklist, complete it carefully, and retain a signed copy regardless of building size.
30-day return deadline: After the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates, the landlord has 30 days to return the deposit along with a written, itemized statement of any deductions (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34). If the property is sold, the deadline is three business days from the sale date.
Penalty for noncompliance: A landlord who wrongfully withholds a deposit or fails to return it with a proper itemized statement loses the right to retain any portion of the deposit and may be liable for the full deposit amount plus court costs and attorney's fees (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-35). You may file a claim in Gordon County Magistrate Court for amounts up to $15,000 without an attorney.
Georgia uses a court-supervised process called a dispossessory to evict tenants. Calhoun evictions are heard in Gordon County Magistrate Court. The process is governed by O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-50 through 44-7-59.
Step 1 — Written Demand to Vacate: Before filing in court, the landlord must make a demand — in writing or orally, though written is standard — for the tenant to pay overdue rent or vacate the property. There is no minimum statutory waiting period after the demand for nonpayment of rent before the landlord may file suit, but at least one day must pass. For other lease violations or holdover tenancies, the same demand process applies.
Step 2 — Filing the Dispossessory Affidavit: If the tenant does not comply with the demand, the landlord files a dispossessory affidavit with the Gordon County Magistrate Court (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50). The court then issues a summons, which must be personally served on the tenant or posted on the door.
Step 3 — Tenant's Answer: The tenant has seven days from service of the summons to file a written answer with the court (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-51). If the tenant does not file an answer, the landlord may seek a default judgment immediately. Filing an answer and appearing at the hearing is critical — tenants who do not respond are almost always evicted by default.
Step 4 — Hearing: If the tenant files an answer, a hearing is scheduled before a magistrate judge. Both parties may present evidence. Tenants may raise defenses such as the landlord's acceptance of rent after the demand, improper notice, or retaliatory conduct.
Step 5 — Writ of Possession: If the court rules for the landlord, it issues a writ of possession. The tenant typically has a brief window — often seven days — before a marshal or sheriff enforces the writ and removes the tenant's belongings.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: A landlord who changes the locks, removes the tenant's belongings, shuts off utilities, or otherwise forces a tenant out without a court order violates O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50 and may face civil liability. If this happens to you, contact Georgia Legal Services Program immediately.
No Just-Cause Requirement: Georgia does not require landlords to state a reason for non-renewal of a fixed-term lease. At the end of your lease, the landlord may decline to renew without justification.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. If you are facing an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any other landlord-tenant problem in Calhoun, Georgia, you should consult a licensed attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization. RentCheckMe makes no warranty as to the accuracy or completeness of this information, and we are not responsible for any action taken in reliance on it.
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