Staff Analysis of the Legislation
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HB
834 amends Code Section 19-13-3 and Chapter 7 of Title 44 of the O.C.G.A. to
allow a tenant who has received a criminal or civil family violence order to
terminate his or her lease by providing his or her landlord with written notice
and a certified copy of such order. The tenant is still liable for the rent
prorated until the effective termination date, as well as any delinquent or
unpaid rent owed to the landlord prior to the termination. However, the tenant
is not liable for any other fees, rent, or damages due to the early
termination, and if all terms of the agreement are followed, the tenant is
entitled to the return of his or her security deposit and last month’s rent. Includes
language from SB 443 dealing with security deposits. Tenants who did not
inspect the premises after vacancy or were not present for the landlord’s
inspection and, in either case, did not request a copy of the landlord’s final
damage list shall have the right to dispute the damages assessed by the
landlord. |