HB725: HB725 Property; certain rental agreements; provide landlord duties

25 LC 48 1519 House Bill 725 By: Representatives Cummings of the 39 th, Frye of the 122 nd, Washburn of the 144 th, Wilkerson of the 38th, Smith of the 41st, and others A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT To amend Code Section 44-7-13 of the Official Code of Georgia A nnotated, relating to1 landlord's duties as to repairs and improvements, so as to prov ide for landlord duties2 regarding certain rental agreements; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws;3 and for other purposes.4 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:5 SECTION 1.6 Code Section 44-7-13 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to landlord's duties7 as to repairs and improvements, is amended by revising subsection (a) as follows:8 "(a) The landlord shall keep the premises in repair and shall b e liable for all substantial9 improvements placed upon the premises by such landlord's consent, including:10 (1) The structures shall be structurally sound so as not to po se any threat to the health11 and safety of the occupants and so as to protect the residents from hazards;12 (2) The housing shall be accessible and capable of being utilized without unauthorized13 use of other private properties. Structures shall provide alternate means of egress in case14 of fire;15 H. B. 725 - 1 - 25 LC 48 1519 (3) Each resident shall be afforded adequate space and security for himself or herself and16 his or her belongings. Each resident shall be provided with an acceptable place to sleep;17 (4) Every room or space shall be provided with natural or mech anical ventilation.18 Structures shall be free of pollutants in the air at levels tha t threaten the health of19 residents;20 (5) The water supply shall be free from contamination;21 (6) Residents shall have access to sufficient sanitary facilities that are in proper operating22 condition, may be used in privacy, and are adequate for persona l cleanliness and the 23 disposal of human waste;24 (7) The housing shall have adequate heating and cooling facili ties in proper operating 25 condition;26 (8) The housing shall have adequate natural or artificial illu mination to permit normal 27 indoor activities and to support the health and safety of resid ents. Sufficient electrical 28 sources shall be provided to permit use of essential electrical appliances while assuring29 safety from fire;30 (9) All food preparation areas shall contain suitable space an d equipment to store, 31 prepare, and serve food in a sanitary manner;32 (10) The housing and any equipment shall be maintained in sanitary conditions;33 (11) Each unit shall include at least one battery operated or hardwired smoke detector,34 in proper working condition, on each occupied level of the unit. Smoke detectors shall35 be located, to the extent practicable, in a hallway adjacent to a bedroom. If the unit is 36 occupied by hearing impaired persons, smoke detectors shall hav e an alarm system 37 designed for hearing impaired persons in each bedroom occupied by a hearing impaired38 person; and39 (12) The public areas of all housing shall be equipped with a sufficient number, but not40 less than one for each area, of battery operated or hardwired s moke detectors. Public41 H. B. 725 - 2 - 25 LC 48 1519 areas include, but are not limited to, laundry rooms, day-care centers, hallways,42 stairwells, and other common areas."43 SECTION 2.44 All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.45 H. B. 725 - 3 -