HB 725: Property; certain rental agreements; provide landlord duties

House Bill 725

By: Representatives Cummings of the 39th, Frye of the 122nd, Washburn of the 144th, 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 Annotated, relating to landlord's duties as to repairs and improvements, so as to provide for landlord duties regarding certain rental agreements; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Code Section 44-7-13 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to landlord's duties as to repairs and improvements, is amended by revising subsection (a) as follows: "(a) The landlord shall keep the premises in repair and shall be liable for all substantial improvements placed upon the premises by such landlord's consent, including:

(1) The structures shall be structurally sound so as not to pose any threat to the health and safety of the occupants and so as to protect the residents from hazards;

(2) The housing shall be accessible and capable of being utilized without unauthorized use of other private properties. Structures shall provide alternate means of egress in case of fire;

(3) Each resident shall be afforded adequate space and security for himself or herself and his or her belongings. Each resident shall be provided with an acceptable place to sleep;

(4) Every room or space shall be provided with natural or mechanical ventilation. Structures shall be free of pollutants in the air at levels that threaten the health of residents;

(5) The water supply shall be free from contamination;

(6) Residents shall have access to sufficient sanitary facilities that are in proper operating condition, may be used in privacy, and are adequate for personal cleanliness and the disposal of human waste;

(7) The housing shall have adequate heating and cooling facilities in proper operating condition;

(8) The housing shall have adequate natural or artificial illumination to permit normal indoor activities and to support the health and safety of residents. Sufficient electrical sources shall be provided to permit use of essential electrical appliances while assuring safety from fire;

(9) All food preparation areas shall contain suitable space and equipment to store, prepare, and serve food in a sanitary manner;

(10) The housing and any equipment shall be maintained in sanitary conditions;

(11) Each unit shall include at least one battery operated or hardwired smoke detector, in proper working condition, on each occupied level of the unit. Smoke detectors shall be located, to the extent practicable, in a hallway adjacent to a bedroom. If the unit is occupied by hearing impaired persons, smoke detectors shall have an alarm system designed for hearing impaired persons in each bedroom occupied by a hearing impaired person; and

(12) The public areas of all housing shall be equipped with a sufficient number, but not less than one for each area, of battery operated or hardwired smoke detectors. Public areas include, but are not limited to, laundry rooms, day-care centers, hallways, stairwells, and other common areas."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.