Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Georgia

You should start escalating your efforts to collect the money and back the landlord off his claim of late fees. If the story is as you claim, and the landlord does not pay you and back off, you will have no choice but to file a lawsuit against the landlord. In your lawsuit, you can ask for the money back that you are owed as well as a Court order stating that you do not owe the late fees.

Best of luck.******The above is for informational purposes only and does not create an attorney-client privilege.*******

You can tell the landlord you will be deducting the additional utilities from your rent. Bills will often have a chart comparing the current use with the same month a year ago, or maybe you can get this info from the utility. Obviously, it is not a perfect situation, but if you are paying zero rent for the month then you are giving the landlord a bargaining chip. If the landlord balks at this reasonable option, it is a good indication that the landlord is not going to be cooperative at all. You may make the argument that you are being burdened beyond stated (or contemplated) in your lease (obviously, read the lease first). Keep in mind that a lawsuit or dispossessory action against you, even if you prevail, does not look good to future landlords. Try to not let it get to this point.