Last updated: April 2026
Statesboro renters in Bulloch County — including Georgia Southern University students — are governed by Georgia state landlord-tenant law. No rent control exists, but the law sets clear rules on deposits and evictions.
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Statesboro is the county seat of Bulloch County in southeast Georgia and home to Georgia Southern University. The university's large student population creates a high-density rental market with significant landlord-tenant activity. Like all Georgia municipalities, Statesboro renters are governed by the Georgia Landlord-Tenant Act (O.C.G.A. Title 44, Chapter 7). There are no local landlord-tenant ordinances specific to Statesboro beyond state law.
Georgia provides fewer statutory tenant protections than most states. There is no rent control, no statutory implied warranty of habitability for smaller landlords, and no just-cause eviction requirement. Student renters should be especially careful to read lease terms carefully, document unit conditions at move-in, and understand their security deposit rights. This guide is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.
Statesboro has no rent control. No city or county in Georgia has enacted a rent control or rent stabilization ordinance. There are no caps on how much a landlord may raise rent, no percentage limits, and no requirement that a landlord justify any increase.
For month-to-month tenants, either party must provide at least 60 days' written notice before terminating the tenancy (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7). Many Statesboro student leases are 12-month fixed-term agreements tied to the academic year — at expiration, tenants may face a renewal at a higher rent with no legal cap on the increase. Review your lease terms carefully before the renewal date.
Georgia law provides the following key protections for Statesboro renters under O.C.G.A. Title 44, Chapter 7:
Security Deposit: Landlords must return your security deposit within 30 days of the termination of the tenancy, along with a written itemized statement of deductions. If the property is sold, the deadline is 3 days. Failure to comply may make the landlord liable for the full deposit plus damages (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34). Landlords with five or more units must provide a written move-in damage checklist.
Habitability (Larger Landlords): Georgia's statutory implied warranty of habitability applies only to landlords owning five or more units. Most large apartment complexes near Georgia Southern meet this threshold. For smaller rentals, habitability obligations come from lease terms and local codes.
Retaliation Protection: Georgia's statutory retaliation protections are limited. Document all communications in writing if you believe your landlord is acting in retaliation for reporting a code violation or exercising a legal right.
Lockout Prohibition: Self-help eviction is illegal in Georgia (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50). A landlord cannot change your locks, remove your belongings, or cut off utilities without a court order.
Eviction Procedure: Landlords must file a dispossessory affidavit with the Magistrate Court of Bulloch County and obtain a writ of possession before removing a tenant.
Security deposit rules for Statesboro renters are set by O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-30 through 44-7-37. Georgia imposes no cap on the security deposit amount a landlord may collect.
Move-In Documentation: Landlords with five or more units — which includes most large student apartment complexes — must provide a written list of existing damage at move-in. All tenants should photograph the unit at move-in and move-out regardless.
Return Deadline: Your landlord must return your deposit — with a written itemized statement — within 30 days of the end of your tenancy. If the property is sold, the deadline is 3 days (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34). Provide your forwarding address in writing when you move out.
Student Renter Tips: When leaving at the end of an academic-year lease, submit your forwarding address in writing on move-out day and photograph every room. Disputes over deposit deductions are common in university-town rental markets.
Penalty for Non-Compliance: A landlord who fails to return the deposit and statement within the required time may be liable for the full deposit plus damages. File a claim in the Magistrate Court of Bulloch County.
Landlords in Statesboro must follow Georgia's formal dispossessory process. Self-help removal is prohibited (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50).
Step 1 — Demand for Possession: The landlord must demand possession before filing in court. For month-to-month terminations, 60 days' written notice is required (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7). For nonpayment, check your lease for any required cure period.
Step 2 — Dispossessory Affidavit: If you do not vacate, the landlord files with the Magistrate Court of Bulloch County. You will be served and have 7 days to file a written answer.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: If you file an answer, a hearing is scheduled. You may present defenses including improper notice, habitability violations, acceptance of rent after the notice, or retaliation. Contact Georgia Legal Services Program if you need assistance.
Step 4 — Writ of Possession: If the court rules for the landlord, a writ of possession is issued. Only a court-authorized officer may remove you.
No. Statesboro has no rent control ordinance, and no city or county in Georgia has enacted one. There are no caps on rent increases, including for student housing near Georgia Southern University.
There is no legal limit on rent increases in Statesboro or anywhere in Georgia. For month-to-month tenancies, your landlord must provide at least 60 days' written notice before terminating or changing tenancy terms (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7). For fixed-term leases, increases take effect at renewal.
Your landlord must return your deposit within 30 days of the end of your tenancy, along with a written itemized statement of deductions (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34). If the property is sold, the deadline is 3 days. Provide your forwarding address in writing at move-out. Failure to comply may make the landlord liable for the full deposit plus damages.
Your landlord must demand possession before filing a dispossessory affidavit with Bulloch County Magistrate Court. For month-to-month terminations, 60 days' written notice is required (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7). After being served with the summons, you have 7 days to file a written answer.
No. Georgia law prohibits self-help eviction (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50). A landlord cannot change your locks, remove your belongings, or cut off utilities without a court order. Contact Georgia Legal Services Program if this happens.
Send your repair request in writing and keep a copy. Most large apartment complexes near Georgia Southern have five or more units, triggering the state's statutory repair duty. For smaller rentals, rely on your lease and local codes. Contact Georgia Legal Services Program or Bulloch County Code Enforcement for assistance.
This article provides general information about tenant rights in Statesboro and is not legal advice. Laws and local ordinances may have changed since publication. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed Georgia attorney or contact Georgia Legal Services Program.
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