HB 710: Landlord and tenant; certain limits on increases in rental amounts charged for residential properties; provide

Georgia currently has no state law limiting how much a landlord can raise rent on a residential property. This bill would add a new Code section (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-25) capping most annual rent increases at 3 percent of the lowest rent charged for that unit in the prior 12 months, and capping increases for tenants who are students or senior citizens at 2 percent. Landlords could not raise rent mid-lease unless the lease itself allows it, and would have to give at least 120 days notice before any increase. The bill excludes new construction for 15 years, government-subsidized housing, and University System or Technical College System student housing from these limits. Senior citizens who have rented the same unit for over five years and live at or below the federal poverty level could freeze their rent for up to five years. Violations count as unfair or deceptive trade practices under Georgia's Fair Business Practices Act and can be raised as a defense in eviction cases. The law would take effect immediately upon the Governor's signature and apply to rental agreements entered into or renewed after that date.

• Caps most residential rent increases at 3 percent of the lowest rent charged for the unit in the prior 12 months.
• Limits rent increases for tenants who are students or senior citizens to 2 percent annually.
• Bars landlords from raising rent mid-lease unless the lease itself allows it, and requires 120 days notice before any increase.
• Lets qualifying low-income senior tenants who have rented five or more years freeze their rent for up to five years.
• Makes any violation an unfair or deceptive trade practice under the Fair Business Practices Act (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393), and lets tenants raise overcharges as a defense in eviction cases.
• Prohibits landlords from evicting, refusing to renew, or refusing to rent to someone because they are a student or senior citizen.

Residential landlords across Georgia, tenants generally, and especially tenant groups defined as students (18 to 26, enrolled in University System or Technical College System schools) or senior citizens (65 and older living mainly on Social Security). New construction owners, subsidized housing providers, and college-affiliated student housing are excluded.

If enacted, landlords covered by the law could no longer raise rent by any amount they choose or with short notice; increases would be capped and tied to advance notice periods. Tenants who are students or seniors would get stronger protections, including a possible multi-year rent freeze, and could use rent overcharges as a legal defense against eviction.

• Section 1 amends the Fair Business Practices Act (O.C.G.A. § 10-1-393) to make violating the new rent limits an unfair or deceptive trade practice.
• Section 2 adds O.C.G.A. § 44-7-25, defining key terms including 'rental amount,' 'residential property,' 'student,' and 'senior citizen.'
• Subsection (b) bars mid-lease rent hikes not allowed by the lease, caps increases at 3 percent of the prior year's lowest rent, requires 120 days notice, and caps student/senior increases at 2 percent.
• Subsection (c) creates a one-time 'rental freeze option' for qualifying low-income senior tenants with over five years of tenancy, letting them lock in their rent for up to five lease years.
• Subsection (e) makes an overcharge in violation of the section an affirmative defense and counterclaim in eviction or dispossessory proceedings.
• Subsection (f) bars landlords from ending, refusing to renew, or refusing to enter a lease with someone because they are a student or senior citizen.
• Section 3 sets the effective date as the date of the Governor's approval, applying to rental agreements and renewals entered into on or after that date.

1. 2025-03-06House Second Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
2. 2025-03-04House First Readers (Cámara de Representantes)
3. 2025-03-03House Hopper (Cámara de Representantes)

• Derrick Jackson (D, HD-068)Patrocinador principal
• Billy Mitchell (D, HD-088)
• Gabriel Sanchez (D, HD-042)
• Sandra Scott (D, HD-076)
• Kim Schofield (D, HD-063)

• rent control
• landlord tenant law
• housing affordability
• senior citizens
• student housing