Last updated: April 2026
Savannah renters are protected by Georgia state landlord-tenant law — covering security deposits, eviction procedures, and notice requirements. Here is what every renter in Chatham County needs to know.
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Savannah is Georgia's oldest city and a thriving coastal community where renters make up a substantial share of the population. As a college and tourism hub anchored by institutions like the Savannah College of Art and Design and a robust hospitality economy, demand for rental housing is high — making it especially important for tenants to understand their legal rights before signing a lease or responding to a landlord dispute.
Savannah renters are governed entirely by Georgia state landlord-tenant law. Unlike some major U.S. cities, Savannah has enacted no local rent control ordinance, no just-cause eviction requirement, and no local tenant bill of rights. Georgia's landlord-tenant statutes (primarily Title 44, Chapter 7 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated) provide a baseline of protections around security deposits, eviction procedures, and notice requirements — though the state's framework is widely considered more landlord-friendly than most. Notably, Georgia does not recognize an implied warranty of habitability by statute.
This page summarizes the tenant rights rules that apply specifically to Savannah renters as of April 2026. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you are facing eviction, a habitability issue, or a security deposit dispute, consider contacting a qualified attorney or one of the free legal aid organizations listed below.
Savannah has no rent control ordinance, and no Georgia city has enacted one. Unlike states such as California, Oregon, or New Jersey — which have either statewide rent caps or explicitly permit local rent stabilization — Georgia law neither imposes rent control nor has a statute that formally preempts cities from enacting it. In practice, however, no Georgia municipality has passed a rent control measure, and the political and legal landscape makes such an ordinance unlikely in Savannah in the near term.
What this means for Savannah renters: your landlord may raise your rent by any amount, at any time, as long as proper notice is given. For month-to-month tenants, that means 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 raised until the lease expires — at which point your landlord may offer a renewal at any new price or decline to renew entirely. There is no requirement that a landlord justify a rent increase or limit it to a particular percentage.
Renters concerned about affordability or rapid rent increases should document all communications with their landlord in writing and carefully review any renewal offer before signing. If you believe a rent increase is retaliatory — for example, because you complained about habitability conditions — see the retaliation section below.
The following state-level protections apply to all Savannah renters under Georgia law. Savannah has not enacted any local ordinances that expand these protections.
Security Deposits (O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-30 through 44-7-37): Georgia law governs how landlords must handle security deposits. Landlords who own more than ten rental units (or use a property management company) must hold deposits in an escrow account or post a surety bond. The landlord must return the deposit within 30 days of the tenancy ending (or within 3 days if the property is sold), along with an itemized written statement of any deductions. Failure to comply may make the landlord liable for the full deposit plus damages.
Habitability and Repairs (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-13): Georgia does not recognize a statutory implied warranty of habitability. However, under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-13, landlords who own five or more rental units are required to keep those units in a state of repair sufficient to make them habitable. For tenants in smaller buildings, habitability obligations are largely governed by the lease agreement and applicable local housing or building codes. Savannah renters with maintenance concerns may contact the City of Savannah's Neighborhood Services or Inspections departments to request a housing code inspection.
Notice to Terminate (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7): Either a landlord or a tenant must give at least 60 days written notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy, unless the lease specifies a different period. Week-to-week tenancies require 7 days notice. Fixed-term leases end automatically on the expiration date unless renewed.
Anti-Retaliation (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-24): Georgia's retaliation protections are limited. Under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-24, a landlord may not increase rent, decrease services, or bring an eviction action in retaliation against a tenant who has filed a good-faith complaint about housing conditions with a government agency. This protection is narrower than what many other states provide — it does not expressly cover complaints made directly to the landlord or participation in tenant organizations. Document all complaints in writing and retain copies.
Prohibition on Self-Help Eviction (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50 et seq.): Landlords in Georgia must use the court dispossessory process to remove a tenant. It is unlawful for a landlord to lock a tenant out, remove doors or windows, shut off utilities, or remove the tenant's belongings without a court order. Tenants subjected to self-help eviction tactics may seek legal relief in magistrate or superior court.
Georgia's security deposit rules are set out in O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-30 through 44-7-37. There is no statutory cap on how much a landlord may charge as a security deposit in Georgia — your landlord may charge any amount agreed upon in the lease.
Holding the Deposit: Landlords who own more than ten rental units, or who use a property manager, must hold the security deposit in a dedicated escrow account at a financial institution or purchase a surety bond in the amount of the deposit. The landlord must notify the tenant in writing of the name and address of the bank where the deposit is held, or the bonding company used (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-31). Landlords who own ten or fewer units and self-manage are exempt from the escrow requirement.
Return Deadline: The landlord must return the security deposit — along with a written, itemized list of any deductions — within 30 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant has vacated. If the rental property is sold, the deadline shortens to 3 days after the sale closes (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34). The itemized statement must describe each deduction in enough detail for the tenant to understand what was withheld and why.
Permitted Deductions: Landlords may deduct from the deposit for unpaid rent, damages beyond normal wear and tear, and other costs expressly authorized by the lease. Normal wear and tear — such as minor scuffs on walls, small nail holes, or carpet worn from ordinary use — cannot be deducted.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: If a landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the required itemized statement within the 30-day deadline, the tenant may sue for the full amount of the deposit plus any actual damages caused by the wrongful withholding (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34 and § 44-7-35). Courts may also award attorney's fees in appropriate cases. To protect yourself, always provide your forwarding address to your landlord in writing when you move out.
Georgia's eviction process is called a dispossessory proceeding and is governed by O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-50 through 44-7-59. In Savannah, eviction cases are heard in the Magistrate Court of Chatham County.
Step 1 — Notice to Vacate: Before filing in court, a landlord must make a demand for possession — either orally or in writing. There is no minimum statutory notice period required before filing a dispossessory action under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50, though a written notice is strongly recommended for evidentiary purposes. For nonpayment of rent, the landlord may demand possession immediately. For month-to-month tenancies being terminated without cause, 60 days written notice is required under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7 before the tenancy can be treated as expired.
Step 2 — Filing the Dispossessory Warrant: If the tenant does not vacate after the demand, the landlord files an affidavit with Chatham County Magistrate Court seeking a dispossessory warrant. The court issues a summons, which is served on the tenant by a marshal or sheriff's deputy.
Step 3 — Tenant's Answer: The tenant has 7 days from the date of service to file a written answer with the court (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-53). Tenants who do not respond may have a default judgment entered against them. Filing an answer preserves your right to a hearing, where you can raise defenses such as the landlord's failure to maintain the property, retaliation, or procedural defects.
Step 4 — Hearing: If the tenant files an answer, the court schedules a hearing. Both parties present their case before a magistrate judge. Tenants facing eviction for nonpayment may be permitted to pay all past-due rent and court costs to stop the eviction (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-52), though this right to cure may not apply in all circumstances.
Step 5 — Writ of Possession: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a writ of possession is issued. A Chatham County marshal will enforce the writ and supervise the tenant's removal. The tenant's belongings may be set outside the unit at that point.
Self-Help Eviction is Illegal: At no point in this process may the landlord lock you out, cut off your utilities, remove your belongings, or otherwise force you to leave without a court order. Such actions constitute illegal self-help eviction under Georgia law. If your landlord does this, contact Chatham County Magistrate Court or a legal aid organization immediately.
No Just-Cause Requirement: Savannah and Georgia do not require landlords to have a specific reason to decline to renew a lease or to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. As long as proper notice is given, a landlord may end your tenancy without stating a reason.
No. Savannah has no rent control ordinance, and no city in Georgia has enacted one. Georgia state law does not cap how much a landlord may charge or increase rent. Your landlord may raise rent by any amount, subject to providing proper advance notice — at least 60 days for month-to-month tenants under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7.
There is no limit on rent increases in Savannah or anywhere in Georgia. If you are on a fixed-term lease, your rent cannot be raised until the lease expires. If you are on a month-to-month tenancy, your landlord must give you at least 60 days written notice before a rent increase takes effect, consistent with O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7. At that point, you can either accept the new rent or provide your own 60-day notice to vacate.
Your landlord has 30 days after you vacate to return your security deposit along with a written, itemized statement of any deductions, under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34. If the rental property is sold, the deadline is just 3 days after the sale. If your landlord fails to comply, you may sue for the full amount of the deposit plus any actual damages, and potentially attorney's fees, under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-35.
Before filing an eviction (called a dispossessory action) in Chatham County Magistrate Court, a landlord must first make a demand for possession under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50. For nonpayment of rent, no specific advance notice period is required before filing. For terminating a month-to-month tenancy, the landlord must give 60 days written notice under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7. Once a dispossessory warrant is served, you have 7 days to file a written answer with the court.
No. Under Georgia's dispossessory statute (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50 et seq.), a landlord cannot lock you out, remove your belongings, cut off utilities, or otherwise force you to leave your home without a court order. These actions constitute illegal self-help eviction. If your landlord does any of these things, contact Chatham County Magistrate Court or Georgia Legal Services Program (glsp.org) immediately.
Georgia does not have a statutory implied warranty of habitability, but landlords who own five or more rental units must keep them in a habitable state of repair under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-13. If your landlord is not addressing serious maintenance issues, you can request a housing code inspection through the City of Savannah's Inspections Services division, which enforces local housing standards. You should also document all repair requests in writing and retain copies. For legal guidance, contact Georgia Legal Services Program at glsp.org.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws — including statutes, local ordinances, and court interpretations — can change, and the specific facts of your situation may affect what legal options are available to you. RentCheckMe makes no guarantees about the accuracy or completeness of this information. If you are facing an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any other housing legal issue, please consult a qualified attorney or contact a free legal aid organization in your area. Do not rely solely on this page as the basis for any legal decision.
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