SB414: SB414 "Fair Business Practices Act of 1975"; transparency and fairness with respect to rent pricing for residential properties; encourage

Georgia's consumer protection law, the Fair Business Practices Act of 1975 (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393), currently does not specifically address rent pricing disclosures. This bill adds rent pricing violations to the list of unfair or deceptive business practices banned under that law. The bill creates a new Code section requiring landlords to clearly and conspicuously disclose the total rental price, meaning all mandatory fees and government fees combined, before a tenant signs a lease or pays anything. It also bans hidden fees, defined as charges that are excessive, for services not actually provided, for services the landlord is already legally required to provide, tied to forced use of a preferred vendor, or not written into the lease. Landlords can still pursue damages for lease violations if those remedies are spelled out in the agreement and are not excessive. The law would take effect immediately upon the Governor's signature and would apply to rental agreements signed, renewed, or extended after that date.

• Adds failure to disclose total rental price or charging hidden fees to the list of unlawful deceptive practices under Georgia's Fair Business Practices Act (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393).
• Requires landlords to clearly and conspicuously show the total rental price, including mandatory and government fees, before accepting payment or signing a lease.
• Bans landlords from charging hidden fees, including excessive charges, fees for services not performed, or fees for services already legally required.
• Defines key terms like 'total rental price,' 'hidden fees,' 'mandatory fee,' and 'residential property,' which includes hotels, inns, and short-term rentals.
• Allows landlords to still collect damages for lease violations if those remedies are written into the rental agreement and are not excessive.
• Sets the law to take effect as soon as the Governor signs it, applying to new leases and renewals signed on or after that date.

Landlords and property managers renting residential properties in Georgia, including hotels, inns, and short-term or vacation rental operators, as well as tenants and consumers who rent housing and would receive upfront pricing disclosures under the new rules.

Renters would see the full cost of housing, including mandatory fees, before committing to a lease, making it harder for landlords to add surprise charges later. Landlords would need to review lease terms and fee structures to ensure all costs are disclosed upfront and properly justified.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393(b) to add a new paragraph (38) making violations of the new rent pricing rules an unlawful deceptive practice.
• Section 2 creates new Code Section 10-1-393.22, defining terms such as 'hidden fees,' 'total rental price,' 'mandatory fee,' and 'residential property.'
• Section 2(b) makes it illegal for a landlord to accept payment or sign a lease before disclosing the total rental price, and bans charging hidden fees.
• Section 2(c) clarifies landlords can still seek damages for lease violations if those remedies are expressly written into the agreement and not excessive.
• Section 3 sets the effective date as the date the Governor signs the bill or it otherwise becomes law, applying to leases signed, renewed, or extended afterward.

1. 2026-01-27Senate Read and Referred (Senate)
2. 2026-01-16Senate Hopper (Senate)

• Kim Jackson (D, SD-041)Primary sponsor
• Russ Goodman (R, SD-008)

• rent pricing
• landlord tenant law
• consumer protection
• hidden fees
• housing costs