Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Georgia

Tenants Rights

I've been renting the same place for three years now and the land lord has never given me a lease, reciept or will not accept a check. 6 months ago he raised my rent from $350 to $400 in one week without prior notice. I've requested many times to have maintainence performed and have measured the same areas many times for new lenolem and carpet (at his request )and have even told him to buy the materials and I would install them for $10 per hr off the rent. Nothing has ever happened except he says he keeps losing the measurements. Recently I went on a webpage and found out some things about mine and his rights and responsibilities. I copied them and made a listof problems that I have in the house and tried to get him toread and sign a copy. He refused to even look at it and told me I had to find another place to live. Problems range from electrical,plumbing, bad carpet, lenoleum even a septic tank that has to be pumped every year because the leechfield is clogged. I found out that the drains from the bathtubs where disconnected so the septic tank wouldn't fill up quite so quickly ( his words exactly) He also happens to live next door to me. I have been 1 week late twice and I paid $50 late fee both times . What should I do?


Asked on 4/08/09, 6:22 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Yasha Heidari Heidari Power Law Group, LLC

Re: Tenants Rights

Georgia law requires that a landlord keep the premise he or she is renting to you in repair.

That being said, while perhaps you might have an action at law, if I were in your situation I would simply find a new place new to live. Given the landlord's past behavior and the fact that you live next to him/her, it seems like that is probably the best practical advice and any legal action would ultimately not be worth it.

DISCLAIMER: The above is only for informational purposes and no attorney-client relationship exists absent a signed written engagement and retention letter.

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Answered on 4/08/09, 6:47 pm
Scott Riddle Law Office of Scott B. Riddle, LLC

Re: Tenants Rights

You fail to mention the terms of any lease or agreement. You say he has never given you a lease - not whether there is one. If there is no lease, give him a month's notice and leave. Obviously you have willingly put up with it for three years so at some point you are inviting these issues by staying.

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Answered on 4/08/09, 6:49 pm


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