What are the legal obligations of a landlord in regards to the return of a tenant’s security deposit?

In Georgia, landlords are required to follow certain legal obligations when it comes to the return of a tenant’s security deposit. Specifically, Georgia’s Landlord and Tenant Law requires that landlords must return a tenant’s security deposit within one month of the tenant vacating the rental unit. Additionally, landlords are required to provide the tenant with a statement of the deductions taken from the security deposit, along with the remaining balance if any, within one month of the tenant’s departure. If a landlord does not return the tenant’s security deposit within one month of the tenant’s departure, the tenant may sue the landlord for the return of the deposit plus any damages resulting from the delay, including court costs and attorney’s fees. Furthermore, landlords are prohibited from deducting more than the amount owed for unpaid rent and damages caused by the tenant. It is important to note that landlords are not allowed to use a security deposit as a last month’s rent payment or to cover any damages to the rental unit that occurred prior to the tenant moving in. In such cases, landlords must provide the tenant with a list of any existing damages to the property prior to the tenant’s move-in day. This will allow the tenant to dispute any deductions for these damages during the final inspection of the rental unit. By adhering to these legal obligations, landlords in Georgia can ensure that the return of a tenant’s security deposit is done in a time-efficient and accurate manner.

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What are the legal obligations of a landlord in regards to the return of a tenant’s security deposit?

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