Last updated: April 2026
Rome renters in Floyd County are protected by Georgia's landlord-tenant law, which sets rules on security deposits, notice to terminate, and eviction procedures. Understanding these rights is essential for navigating any rental dispute in Northwest Georgia.
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Rome is the county seat of Floyd County and the largest city in Northwest Georgia, serving as a regional hub for commerce, healthcare, and education. Tenant rights in Rome are governed by Georgia's landlord-tenant statutes (O.C.G.A. Title 44, Chapter 7). There are no local landlord-tenant ordinances specific to the city beyond state law.
Georgia's landlord-tenant framework is more limited than many other states — there is no statutory implied warranty of habitability for most tenants, retaliation protections are narrower than in many jurisdictions, and there is no just-cause eviction requirement. However, Georgia law does provide enforceable protections around security deposit returns, the 60-day notice requirement for month-to-month terminations, and the formal dispossessory process that landlords must follow before removing a tenant.
This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Renters facing urgent housing issues should contact Georgia Legal Services Program or another qualified attorney.
Rome has no rent control. Georgia state law does not permit any local government to enact rent stabilization or rent control ordinances. No Georgia city has enacted such a measure. Landlords in Rome may raise rent by any amount at lease renewal.
For month-to-month tenants, Georgia law requires either party to provide at least 60 days' written notice before terminating the tenancy (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7). This advance notice requirement provides renters with meaningful time to plan for significant rent changes or find alternative housing, but it does not cap the amount of any increase.
Georgia law provides the following key protections for Rome renters under O.C.G.A. Title 44, Chapter 7:
Habitability (Limited): Under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-13, landlords who own five or more rental units are required to keep them in good repair and fit for habitation. Tenants renting from smaller landlords must rely primarily on their lease terms and Floyd County housing codes for habitability protections, as Georgia has no broad statutory implied warranty of habitability.
Security Deposit: Covered in detail in the Security Deposit section below (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34).
Eviction Prohibition on Self-Help: Georgia law prohibits landlords from locking you out, shutting off utilities, or removing your belongings without obtaining a court order through the dispossessory process (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50). A landlord who attempts self-help removal may face civil liability.
Notice to Terminate: Month-to-month tenancies require 60 days' written notice from either party to end the tenancy (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7), unless your lease provides otherwise.
Retaliation (Limited): Georgia statutory retaliation protections are more limited than those in many other states. However, retaliatory evictions or rent increases following a tenant complaint are recognized as defenses in court. Document all communications with your landlord in writing.
Security deposit rules for Rome renters are set by O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34.
Return Deadline: Your landlord must return your security deposit within 30 days of move-out, along with a written itemized statement explaining any deductions. If the rental property is sold, the deadline shortens to just 3 days from the date of sale.
Allowable Deductions: Landlords may deduct for unpaid rent and for damage beyond normal wear and tear. Minor scuffs, small nail holes, and ordinary carpet wear cannot be charged to you. Take dated photographs and video at move-in and move-out.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: A landlord who fails to return the deposit or provide the required itemized statement within the deadline risks forfeiting the right to any deductions and may be liable for the full deposit amount plus additional damages. Provide your forwarding address in writing when you move out to start the statutory deadline running.
Claims for wrongfully withheld deposits can be filed in Floyd County Magistrate Court, which handles small civil claims.
To evict a tenant in Rome, a landlord must follow Georgia's formal dispossessory procedure. Self-help eviction — changing locks, removing belongings, or shutting off utilities — is illegal under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50.
Step 1 — Written Demand: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve a written demand on the tenant — typically demanding payment of overdue rent or vacating the premises within a stated period. There is no fixed statutory minimum notice period for nonpayment demands (unlike some states), but the landlord must give you a reasonable opportunity to respond.
Step 2 — Dispossessory Filing: If you do not comply with the demand, the landlord files a dispossessory affidavit in Floyd County Magistrate Court. You will be served with summons and given an opportunity to respond.
Step 3 — Hearing: You have the right to appear in court and contest the eviction. Valid defenses may include payment of rent, habitability violations, improper notice, or retaliation. Contact Georgia Legal Services Program before your hearing if you cannot afford an attorney.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the court enters a judgment for the landlord and you do not vacate, the court issues a writ of possession. Only a Floyd County sheriff may physically remove you from the unit.
Month-to-Month Termination Without Cause: For month-to-month tenancies ended without cause, the landlord must give at least 60 days' written notice to terminate (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7) before a dispossessory can be filed.
No. Rome has no rent control, and Georgia law does not permit any city or county to enact rent caps. Landlords may raise rent by any amount at the end of a lease term.
There is no legal limit on rent increases in Rome. For month-to-month tenants, either party must give at least 60 days' written notice to end the tenancy (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7), which provides advance warning of significant rent changes but does not cap the amount.
30 days from move-out, with an itemized written statement of deductions (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34). If the property is sold, the deadline is 3 days from the date of sale. A landlord who misses the deadline risks losing the right to make any deductions.
The landlord must serve a written demand before filing in Floyd County Magistrate Court. For month-to-month tenancies ended without cause, at least 60 days' written notice is required (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7). A court order is required before a sheriff may remove you.
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in Georgia. A landlord cannot change your locks, remove your belongings, or cut off utilities to force you out without a court order under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50. Violations may result in civil liability.
Put your repair request in writing and keep a copy. Georgia's statutory repair obligation under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-13 applies to landlords with five or more rental units. Tenants in smaller properties rely on their lease terms and local housing codes. Contact Georgia Legal Services Program (glsp.org) for guidance.
This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Laws and local ordinances may have changed since publication. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Georgia attorney or contact the Georgia Legal Services Program.
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