Calculate Your Georgia Deposit Deadline & Statutory Damages
Enter your move-out / key-surrender date and deposit amount to check whether your landlord is past the Georgia statutory deadline under O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-30 to 44-7-37.
Georgia Security Deposit Law Quick Facts
| Governing Statute | O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-30 to 44-7-37 |
|---|---|
| Return Deadline | 30 days (30 days after vacancy to return balance and provide written statement of exact reasons for retention) |
| Maximum Deposit Cap | 2 months' rent |
| Bad-Faith / Late Penalty | Up to 3.0x — Three times the sum improperly withheld plus reasonable attorney's fees (for landlords with >10 units or using a management agent) |
| Small Claims Court Limit | $15,000 |
| Interest Required? | No, but escrow account or surety bond required for landlords owning >10 units |
| Walkthrough / Inspection | Yes — landlord must compile a comprehensive damage list within 3 business days of termination and allow tenant 5 business days to inspect and sign/dissent |
Example: On a $1,800 deposit wrongfully withheld past the 30-day deadline in Georgia, statutory provisions allow claims up to $5,400 (3.0x) in Small Claims Court (limit $15,000).
Landlord Missed the Deadline or Overcharging for Normal Wear?
Get the complete Keep the Deposit Recovery System: our 48-Hour Move-Out & Dispute Handbook, 7 Fill-in-the-Blank Statutory Demand Letters (citing O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-30 to 44-7-37), the 50-State Reference Guide, and the Excel Prorated Depreciation Audit Workbook.
- Certified-mail demand templates for missed deadlines & itemized receipt requests
- HUD carpet, paint & appliance useful-life prorated deduction calculator (.xlsx + PDF)
- Room-by-room photo evidence log & small-claims preparation checklist
How to Dispute Unfair Carpet, Paint & Cleaning Deductions in Georgia
Even when a Georgia landlord mails an itemized list within 30 days, they cannot charge you for normal wear and tear or bill you 100% of the replacement cost for an aged asset that has already exhausted most of its useful life.
1. Useful-Life Proration
Standard apartment carpet depreciates over 5 years (60 months). If carpet was 4 years old at move-out, the maximum recoverable value is 20% — never a full replacement bill.
2. Statutory Demand Notice
Send a written demand via Certified Mail citing O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-30 to 44-7-37 and giving a firm 7-to-10 business day deadline before filing in Georgia Small Claims Court.
3. Prorated Audit Calculator
Use our free Carpet & Paint Depreciation Calculator to calculate the exact legal deduction cap in seconds.