---
title: O.C.G.A. § 44-7-30. Definitions.
collection: code
id: 44-7-30
cite_as: O.C.G.A. § 44-7-30 (2025)
canonical_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/44-7-30
md_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/44-7-30.md
text_url: https://georgiacommons.org/code/44-7-30/text
source_url: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/joint-features-document-library/t44-ch1-7-(v31)-2010-pdf.pdf?sfvrsn=35dd922f_0#page=838
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
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current_through: Including Acts of the 2025 Regular Session of the General Assembly
heading_path: PROPERTY / LANDLORD AND TENANT / SECURITY DEPOSITS
---

# O.C.G.A. § 44-7-30. Definitions.

As used in this article, the term:

(1) ‘‘Nonrefundable fee’’ means any money or other consideration paid or given by a tenant to a landlord under the terms of a residential rental agreement which the parties agreed would not be refunded.

(2) ‘‘Residential rental agreement’’ means a contract, lease, or license agreement for the rental or use of real property as a dwelling place.

(3) ‘‘Security deposit’’ means money or any other form of security given after July 1, 1976, by a tenant to a landlord which shall be held by the landlord on behalf of a tenant by virtue of a residential rental agreement and shall include, but not be limited to, damage deposits, advance rent deposits, and pet deposits. Such term shall not include nonrefundable fees, or money or other consideration which are not to be returned to the tenant under the terms of the residential rental agreement or which were to be applied toward the payment of rent or reimbursement of services or utilities provided to the tenant.

## History

Code 1933, § 61-601, enacted by Ga. L. 1976, p. 1372, § 6; Ga. L. 1982, p. 3, § 44; Ga. L. 2007, p. 498, § 3/SB 94.

## Administrative Rules and Regulations

Immediate Transfer of Residents, Official Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia, Department of Community Health, Personal Care Homes, Rule 111-8-62-.29.

Discharge or Transfer of Residents, Official Compilation of the Rules and Regulations of the State of Georgia, Department of Community Health, Personal Care Homes, Rule 111-8-62-.30.