Atlanta Team to Present Webinar on New Georgia Laws Impacting Landlords, Tenants

Atlanta, Ga. (April 26, 2024) – Atlanta Partner Christine Tenley and Associates Patrick A. Garcia, Michael Hettig, and R. Danielle Burnette will present an informative webinar on a trio of new Georgia laws that address issues of significance to both landlords and tenants, on May 8 at 2:15 p.m. ET.

In the webinar, the presenters will delve into the details of three bills that were signed into law by Governor Brian Kemp on April 24: the Squatter Reform Act (HB 1017), the Dispossessory Privatization Bill (HB 1203), and the Safe at Home Act (HB 404). The Squatter Reform Act and Dispossessory Privatization Bill took effect immediately upon signing, while the Safe at Home Act will take effect on July 1.

The Squatter Reform Act amended Georgia law to create a new misdemeanor offense of unlawful squatting and provides a more efficient path for property owners to remove illegal occupants. Critically, that law and the Dispossessory Privatization Bill give landlords the ability to use any law enforcement officer for intruder affidavits and set outs.

The Safe at Home Act, meanwhile, expanded protections for tenants in several ways. Among other things, the law requires that rental properties be “fit for human habitation,” caps security deposits at two months’ rent, and provides for a three-day “grace period” for a tenant to pay any unpaid rent or other charges owed to the landlord before the landlord can file for eviction.

We hope you can join us for this educational session. Register here now.