HB687: HB687 Property; landlord and tenant; security deposits; provisions

25 LC 48 1490 House Bill 687 By: Representatives Crawford of the 89th, Oliver of the 84th, Willis of the 55th, Draper of the 90th, and Frye of the 122nd A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 44 of the Official Cod e of Georgia Annotated,1 relating to security deposits, so as to provide that prior to t endering a security deposit, the2 tenant shall be presented with a comprehensive list of any existing damage to the premises3 and shall include an itemization of all fees associated with such tenant's lease; to provide for4 related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:6 SECTION 1.7 Article 2 of Chapter 7 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Geor gia Annotated, relating to8 security deposits, is amended by revising subsection (a) of Code Section 44-7-33, relating9 to lists of existing defects and of damages during tenancy, inspection of premises by landlord10 upon termination of lease and vacation or surrender of premises, right of tenant to inspect and11 dissent, and action to recover security deposit, as follows:12 "(a) Prior to tendering a security deposit, the tenant shall be presented with a13 comprehensive list of any existing damage to the premises and shall include an itemization14 of all fees associated with such tenant's lease, which shall be for the tenant's permanent15 retention. The tenant shall have the right to inspect the premises to ascertain the accuracy16 H. B. 687 - 1 - 25 LC 48 1490 of such list prior to taking occupancy. The landlord and the tenant shall sign the list, and17 this shall be conclusive evidence of the accuracy of the list but shall not be conclusive as18 to latent defects. If the tenant refuses to sign the list, the tenant shall state specifically in19 writing the items on such list to which he or she dissents and shall sign such statement of20 dissent."21 SECTION 2.22 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.23 H. B. 687 - 2 -