Rent Increases in Georgia: What Are My Rights?
This page covers rent increases during a lease, rent increases for month-to-month renters, and rent increases after a renter complains about the home. It uses the Georgia state handbook for renters and landlords.
-
A Georgia landlord can raise the rent during a lease only if the lease says that may happen. The lease sets whether the landlord can raise rent and how often.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
-
Before you sign a lease, ask about automatic rent increases during the lease term. The Georgia handbook lists them among the lease terms to ask about.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
-
A written lease should make the rent amount clear. The Georgia handbook says to check that the rent cannot be increased during the lease term.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
-
If an apartment complex changes owners, the new owners are generally bound by the existing leases. They cannot raise rents or change rules under those leases.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
-
A renter whose agreement has no end date may rent with no set end date. In that case, the landlord must give 60 days' notice of any rent increase. After 60 days, a new rental starts at the new rent.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
-
If no new lease is signed and the landlord keeps accepting monthly rent, the rental continues on the terms of the original lease. The landlord must then give 60 days’ notice before changing the terms.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
-
Georgia law protects renters from retaliation (the landlord getting back at you) in some cases. The protected actions include asking the landlord for repairs. Taking part in a tenant group about safety or health is also protected. So is filing a good faith complaint with a government office about a housing or building code violation. Some conditions apply.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
-
If a Georgia landlord increases the rent within 3 months of a renter's protected action, the law assumes the landlord was punishing the renter. The landlord can answer by showing a lawful reason that is not punishment.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
-
Georgia law lets a landlord raise rent or cut services, even within 3 months of a renter’s protected action, in two cases. One is when a written lease permits it. The other is a pattern of service cuts for the whole complex, or a state or federal housing program. Asking for repairs is one protected action.
✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
-
A renter who wins a claim that the landlord punished them may get 1 month's rent plus $500, and court costs, less any rent owed. Attorney fees are possible. Example: with $1,000 rent and none owed, that is $1,500 plus costs. You get this money only if you win your case and your landlord pays.
RenterLaw editorial Georgia Department of Community Affairs, Georgia Landlord-Tenant Handbook (revised 8-29-24) Handbook p. 17, Retaliation remedies (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-24)✓ Sources checked October 3, 2026
Is something on this page wrong or out of date? Tell us.