What are the laws governing the return of tenants' security deposits?

In Georgia, tenant security deposits are generally governed by the terms of the rental agreement between the landlord and the tenant. Depending on the agreement, the landlord must return the deposit within one to two months after the tenant moves out. The state of Georgia requires that the landlord must make a written list of any damages to the property that the tenant is responsible for. This list should also include the estimated cost of the repair of the damages. The landlord must provide the tenant a copy of the list within a certain amount of time after the tenant has moved out. The landlord must also provide any receipts that are necessary to prove the costs of the repair of the damages. If the damages that the tenant is responsible for exceed the amount of the tenant’s security deposit, the landlord can either deduct the difference from the security deposit or pursue the tenant to collect the remaining balance. Additionally, Georgia law states that the landlord must return the tenant’s full deposit unless the tenant has caused some type of damage to the property. If the tenant has caused damage, the landlord must provide an itemized list of the damages and the estimated costs of repair. The landlord can then deduct the cost of the damages from the tenant’s security deposit. If the landlord fails to return the security deposit or provide a written list of damages, then the tenant can pursue a civil case against the landlord for the return of the security deposit.

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What are the laws governing the return of tenants' security deposits?

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