What are the legal consequences of not following the terms of a lease?

The legal consequences of not following the terms of a lease depend on the situation. In the state of Georgia, a tenant’s failure to pay rent or follow other guidelines laid out in the lease can result in the tenant being evicted. To do this, a landlord must first give notice to the tenant and then file with the court for a “writ of possession.” If the tenant fails to comply with the court’s order, the landlord may have them forcibly removed from the premises. In addition to eviction, other legal consequences may arise from not following the terms of a lease. A landlord may bring legal action against a tenant for any unpaid rent, damages caused to the rental property, or legal fees that arise from the landlord’s effort to evict the tenant. The tenant may be liable for up to three times the amount of the damage, attorney’s fees, and court costs. Tenants should also be aware that a landlord may reserve the right to pursue other legal remedies if the tenant fails to follow the terms of the lease. This could include charging the tenant late fees, refusing to renew the lease, or suing the tenant. Finally, a tenant may also be held liable for any criminal activity that takes place on the premises which violate the terms of the lease. In short, tenants must abide by the terms of the lease agreement in order to avoid legal consequences. If a tenant violates the agreement, the landlord may pursue eviction proceedings, impose fines, and may seek additional legal remedies.

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What are the legal consequences of not following the terms of a lease?

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