---
title: O.C.G.A. § 44-7-14.1. Landlord’s duties as to utilities.
collection: code
id: 44-7-14.1
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 44-7-14.1 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/44-7-14.1
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/44-7-14.1.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/44-7-14.1/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t44-ch1-7-(v31)-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=6890e72d_0#page=162
date: 2025
status: active
corpus_version: 2025-supplement-89aa39ab3c68
license: CC0-1.0
publisher: Georgia Commons, an independent project of Georgia Civic Data. Not the State of Georgia. Not legal advice.
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version: the only printed version
in_force: true
current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: PROPERTY / LANDLORD AND TENANT / IN GENERAL
---

# O.C.G.A. § 44-7-14.1. Landlord’s duties as to utilities.

(a) As used in this Code section, the term “utilities” means cooling, heat, light, and water service.

(b) It shall be unlawful for any landlord knowingly and willfully to suspend the furnishing of utilities to a tenant until after the final disposition of any dispossessory proceeding by the landlord against such tenant.

(c) Any person who violates subsection (b) of this Code section shall, upon conviction, be assessed a fine not to exceed $500.00.

## History

Code 1981, § 44-7-14.1, enacted by Ga. L. 1988, p. 923, § 1; Ga. L. 2024, p. 91, § 3/HB 404, effective July 1, 2024.

## Editor's Notes

Ga. L. 2024, p. 91, § 1/HB 404, not codified by the General Assembly, provides: “This Act shall be known and may be cited as the ‘Safe at Home Act.’”

Ga. L. 2024, p. 91, § 6/HB 404, not codified by the General Assembly, makes subsection (a) of this Code section applicable to residential lease agreements that are entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2024.

## Law Reviews

For article on the 2024 amendment of this Code section, see 41 Ga. St. U.L. Rev. 51 (2024).

## Amendments

The 2024 amendment, effective July 1, 2024, inserted “cooling,” in subsection (a). See Editor’s notes for applicability.