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What are my rights as a tenant in Georgia if my landlord is violating the lease agreement?

As a tenant in Georgia, you have certain rights if your landlord is violating the lease agreement. Your rights depend on the nature of the lease violation and the specific terms of your lease agreement.

First, you should review your lease agreement to determine what provisions your landlord is violating. Common lease violations include failure to maintain the property in a safe and habitable condition, failure to make necessary repairs, raising the rent outside of the terms of the lease agreement, or entering your apartment without proper notice.

If your landlord is violating the lease agreement, you have several options. You can:

  1. Contact your landlord: You should first try to resolve the issue by contacting your landlord and explaining the situation. You can do this in writing, such as via email or certified letter, to create a record of your efforts to resolve the issue. If your landlord is not responsive, keep copies of all communication for future reference.
  2. File a complaint with the court: If your landlord does not take action to resolve the violation, you may file a complaint with the court. You may also be entitled to a rent escrow if your landlord does not make repairs or the property is uninhabitable.
  3. Terminate your lease: If your landlord is in breach of the lease agreement, you may have the option to terminate the lease. However, this can be a complicated process that requires specific steps, so we recommend seeking legal advice before taking this action.

It is important to note that there may be limitations and exceptions to your rights as a tenant, such as if you have violated the lease agreement yourself or if the violation is not significant enough to warrant legal action.

If you are not sure what steps to take or have any questions about your legal rights as a tenant in Georgia, we recommend consulting with a licensed attorney who specializes in landlord-tenant law.