A residential lease agreement in Atlanta is a binding document between a landlord and a tenant. This agreement outlines the terms and conditions surrounding the use of a rental property in exchange for payment.
Atlanta has no city-specific residential lease agreement requirements or disclosures. As such, landlords and tenants in Atlanta follow Georgia requirements for lease agreements .
In 2020, Atlanta City Council passed an ordinance banning source of income discrimination . This ordinance prevents Atlanta landlords from rejecting an application based on the applicant’s source of income—including the use of federal housing vouchers. [1]
Eligible property owners must provide their tenants with the following options:
Tenants cannot use the above options to secure a rental unit more than 60 days from the start of the lease. It is also important to note that this ordinance does not prevent tenants from paying their security deposit in full upon move-in. [2]
Atlanta has specific maintenance standards for when it comes to maintaining the lawn. Apart from more standard restrictions, such as no overgrown shrubs or dead vegetation, Atlanta tenants must keep their grass below 12 inches in height. [3]
While not mandatory, landlords can add specific disclosures and addendums to their leases. This helps outline the responsibilities of the tenant and can prevent future liability issues.
Due to Atlanta’s high crime rates , it would be in the landlord’s best interest to include an addendum stating that engaging in criminal activity, including drug-related activity, is prohibited on or near the property.
With Atlanta’s high rat population , it would be wise for landlords to include a pest control addendum . This agreement should highlight the tenants’ responsibilities related to pest prevention—including reporting any signs of pests to management as soon as possible.
Due to the humid climate in Atlanta, landlords may want to include a mold addendum . This will prevent landlords from being liable for future mold-related damage.
it shall be unlawful…To refuse to sell or rent, after the making of a bona fide offer, or refuse to negotiate for the sale or rental of or otherwise make unavailable or deny a dwelling to any person because of the person’s…source of income…
Upon a tenant’s request, all landlords who own and/or control more than ten rental units and require a security deposit more than 60 percent of the monthly rental rate charged for the subject rental unit shall offer to accept one of the two following options in lieu of the required security deposit…
Weeds/grass in lawn areas not to reach a height of twelve (12) or more inches
Kansas City Lease Agreement
Baltimore Lease Agreement
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