Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Georgia

No one here has seen the paperwork, so you won't get a firm answer. However, if we assume you signed the standard forms, you probably have little to no chance of winning, and it is much more likely you walk out with a judgment against you. In addition, even if you are not sued apartments generally report these matters to credit bureaus and collection agencies, so that could be significant indirect costs for years to come. What was the solution? Pay someone $40-50 to thoroughly clean the unit and argue over the $50. Did you discuss with the manager and request a cleaning? If so, you left out that part of the story. You say you were only allowed to see the unit after you signed the lease. That was your choice to sign the lease without seeing it (it may have also been a red flag you should not have ignored). Finally, apartment managers (and probably small claims judges, and lawyers here) are used to hearing made up reasons after the tenant breaches the lease. That is not to say you are making this up, but "it was dirty" is not likely going to get you very far. Finally, even if you get to court do you have proof of the condition, AND their refusal to fix it (again, getting past the fact that it was a $40-50 issue)?