Want to skip straight to checking your own building? Use the RentCheckMe address checker.
Kingsland is a small city in Camden County in southeastern Georgia, situated near the Florida border and home to a growing community of renters connected to the nearby Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay. Like all Georgia renters, Kingsland tenants are governed primarily by the Georgia Landlord-Tenant Act (O.C.G.A. Title 44, Chapter 7), which sets baseline rules for deposits, notices, and eviction procedures — but offers fewer tenant protections than the laws of many other states.
Renters in Kingsland most commonly have questions about security deposit returns, what happens when a landlord fails to make repairs, and their rights if they receive an eviction notice. Because Georgia does not have a statutory implied warranty of habitability for all rental units, and because no Kingsland-specific tenant ordinances exist, understanding the state statutes that do apply is especially important for local renters.
This page is intended as an informational overview only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws can change, and individual circumstances vary — if you are facing a housing dispute, please consult a licensed attorney or contact a legal aid organization serving Camden County.
Kingsland has no rent control ordinance, and Georgia state law does not impose any cap on how much a landlord may charge or increase rent. Unlike some states that explicitly prohibit local governments from enacting rent control (a rule known as preemption), Georgia has not passed a formal statewide preemption statute on this subject — but no Georgia city, including Kingsland, has enacted a rent stabilization or rent control ordinance.
In practical terms, this means your landlord in Kingsland is free to raise your rent by any amount at lease renewal, subject only to the notice requirements in your lease agreement or under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7 (which requires 60 days' written notice to change the terms of a month-to-month tenancy). There is no local board, formula, or process that limits how high your rent can go. Renters on fixed-term leases are protected from mid-lease increases only because the lease itself is a binding contract — once that lease ends, your landlord may set a new rent at any level.
Security Deposits (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-30 through § 44-7-37): Georgia law requires landlords to hold security deposits in a separate escrow account or purchase a surety bond. Upon move-out, the landlord has 30 days to return the deposit along with a written itemized statement of any deductions. If the property is sold, the deadline shortens to 3 days after the sale. Wrongful withholding can expose the landlord to liability for the full deposit amount 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, under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-13, landlords who own five or more dwelling units are required to keep those units in repair and fit for habitation. For tenants in smaller buildings, habitability protections arise primarily from the specific language of the lease and any applicable local housing or building codes enforced by Camden County or the City of Kingsland.
Notice to Terminate (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7): Either a landlord or a tenant in a month-to-month tenancy must give 60 days' written notice before terminating the tenancy, unless the lease agreement specifies a different period. Fixed-term leases expire automatically at the end of the term unless renewed.
Anti-Retaliation (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-24): Georgia's statutory retaliation protections are limited compared to most states. Under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-24, a landlord may not take retaliatory action — such as raising rent, reducing services, or initiating eviction — against a tenant solely because the tenant has complained in good faith to a governmental agency about housing code violations. Tenants who believe they are being retaliated against should document all communications in writing and seek legal counsel promptly.
Lockout and Utility Shutoff Prohibition (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50): Georgia law prohibits self-help evictions. A landlord cannot legally change the locks, remove doors or windows, or shut off utilities to force a tenant out without first obtaining a court order through the formal dispossessory process. Any landlord who attempts a self-help eviction may face civil liability.
Georgia's security deposit rules are governed by O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-30 through 44-7-37. Here is what Kingsland renters need to know:
No statutory cap: Georgia law does not limit the amount a landlord may charge as a security deposit. Your lease controls the amount.
Separate holding required: The landlord must place your deposit in an escrow account at a federally insured financial institution or purchase a surety bond for the amount of the deposit (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-31). The landlord must notify you of the name and address of the escrow institution or bonding company within one month of receiving the deposit.
Move-in inspection: Under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-33, before taking possession you have the right to inspect the unit with the landlord and create a written inventory of existing defects. If the landlord refuses to conduct this inspection, they may forfeit the right to make deductions for pre-existing conditions.
Return deadline: Your landlord has 30 days after you vacate and return your keys to return any unused portion of the deposit along with an itemized written statement of deductions (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34). If the property is sold while you are still a tenant or shortly after you vacate, the deadline is 3 days after the sale closes.
Penalty for wrongful withholding: If the landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the itemized statement within the required time, they may be liable to you for the full amount of the deposit plus damages (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34 and § 44-7-35). Keep a copy of your move-in inventory, move-out photos, and any written communications with your landlord to support a claim.
Georgia landlords must follow the formal dispossessory process (O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-50 through 44-7-59) to remove a tenant. Self-help eviction — including changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities without a court order — is illegal.
Step 1 — Notice to Vacate: Before filing in court, the landlord must demand possession of the property. For nonpayment of rent, this demand can be made immediately upon the rent being overdue. For other lease violations, the notice period is governed by the lease or by general notice statutes. Month-to-month tenants without a lease violation are entitled to 60 days' written notice before the landlord can seek to terminate the tenancy (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7).
Step 2 — Dispossessory Affidavit: If the tenant does not vacate after the demand, the landlord files a dispossessory affidavit in the Magistrate Court of Camden County. The tenant is then served with a summons.
Step 3 — Answer and Hearing: Under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-53, the tenant has 7 days from the date of service to file a written answer with the court. Failing to answer may result in a default judgment against the tenant. If an answer is filed, the court schedules a hearing, typically within a few weeks.
Step 4 — Judgment and Writ of Possession: If the court rules in favor of the landlord, a writ of possession is issued. The tenant generally has 7 days to vacate before the writ may be enforced by a sheriff or marshal. Only a law enforcement officer may physically remove the tenant and their belongings — not the landlord (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-55).
No Just-Cause Requirement: Georgia law does not require a landlord to have cause to decline to renew a lease. Once proper notice is given, the landlord may seek possession even if the tenant has not violated any lease term.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: A landlord who locks out a tenant, removes their belongings, or cuts off utilities without a court order violates O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50 and may face civil liability. If this happens to you, contact law enforcement and a legal aid organization immediately.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and individual circumstances vary significantly — nothing here should be relied upon as a substitute for advice from a licensed attorney who is familiar with your specific situation and current Georgia law. If you are facing eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any other housing problem, please contact a qualified legal aid organization or attorney in Camden County or the State of Georgia to discuss your options.
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.