Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Georgia

Tenant Question

I recently moved in as a tenant renting a room in a house where the owner lives in CT, and the other room is rented by his significant other. I did not pay a deposit or sign a lease. I lost my car keys which included the key to the house. I notified them immediately and offered to pay for a locksmith to change the locks. The owner now wants me to pay a deposit to cover the cost of the locksmith. Is this legal? How can I dispute this since there was no contract or original deposit?


Asked on 8/13/08, 5:57 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Scott Riddle Law Office of Scott B. Riddle, LLC

Re: Tenant Question

Your post is not clear on the difference between locksmith expense vs. deposit to cover the locksmith expense. Either way, it is "legal" for the landlord to seek a resolution to the problem, and it is "legal" for you to do the same. I am not sure why you think it might not be. If there is no lease, it is generally treated as a month-to-month. The landlord can change the terms every month if he wants and you can leave at the end of the month if you want.

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Answered on 8/13/08, 6:05 pm


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