Sandy Springs Together hosted its first-ever Renters’ Rights Summit in November 2023. This event connected Sandy Springs apartment renters with experts who advocate for improved renters’ rights in the state of Georgia.
- View: Sandy Springs Speaks: Renters’ Rights Summit 2023 (Lease Review)
These experts shared information regarding apartment leases, rental property policy and the current rights that renters have in Georgia, from getting repairs to lease termination (voluntary and eviction).
This event also featured a discussion about the role of the state legislature in setting rules for landlords and municipalities in rental situations.
We have compiled a list of tips and important information that will be helpful to remember specifically when you are reviewing your lease agreement. This information was provided by Esther Graff-Radford, a private litigation attorney, and is meant to inform and not be taken as legal advice.
LEASE REVIEW:
When looking at an apartment:
- Ask for a copy of the lease you would be signing PRIOR to actually signing it so that you can become familiar with the contents. Be wary of a “hard sell”.
- Ask to see the actual unit you would be renting. Model apartments don’t always represent the actual unit you would be renting. They don’t show roach infestation, flooding damage or plumbing problems, to name a few.
- In Georgia, landlords cannot discriminate against you for color, race, national origin, disability or family status (too many children or same-sex or single parent).
The content of the lease should:
- Indicate which, if any utilities are included as part of your rent.
- Describe other services that are provided and the charges for those services, such as trash valet, security gate etc.
- Reveal whether the property has flooded in the past several years.
- Identify where YOUR security deposit will be held.
The lease should say:
- Landlord is responsible for making repairs
- Landlord is responsible for any harm to the tenant’s property caused by not making repairs.
Take Photos of your apartment before you move in: Inspect your new apartment carefully. If there are areas where you see damage or excessive wear, these should be documented with photos and reported in writing to management immediately. Confirm that all appliances are in working condition. If not, immediately report these in writing as well. Make copies of anything you send to management about the “move-in” condition of your apartment; doing so could avoid you having to pay for these items when you move out. Keep these photos and reports for reference.
Change of apartment ownership or management company:
Georgia law requires apartment leases to remain in effect until the lease’s expiration date. If a new owner or management company acquires your apartment community, the new landlord is obligated to honor the terms of your lease until it has expired, at which time you can elect to renew the lease with the new company.
As a renter, having a clear understanding of your rights and responsibilities can make your rental experience more satisfactory. Remember, you are not alone; there are slightly more renters in Sandy Springs than homeowners, and by working together, we can make a difference in how renters are respected and included in many city boards, committees and activities.
Check out the helpful resources below to learn more, and stay tuned for more information from our first-ever Sandy Springs Speaks: Renters’ Rights Forum!
Resources:
Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation – provides free legal services to lower-income residents. Their services include landlord/tenant disputes, domestic violence/intimate partner abuse, evictions etc.
Esther Graff-Radford – private litigation attorney, tried the first landlord harassment case in Georgia.
Georgia Appleseed – Georgia Appleseed advocates for reforms large and small, local and statewide, that increase access to stable, healthy housing for low-income children and their families, keeping them out of the criminal justice system. Georgia Appleseed Healthy Housing Advocacy Handbook.
Atlanta Legal Aid Society – Helping those with low incomes meet basic needs by removing barriers to justice through civil legal assistance.
