Removing a tenant starts with a formal demand for possession, not a lawsuit. Lumr's Georgia eviction notice template helps you put that demand in writing correctly the first time.
An eviction notice is a written demand that tells a tenant to resolve a problem with the rental or leave the property. Georgia calls this document a demand for possession, and it must go out before a landlord can file a case in court.
The notice itself does not remove the tenant. It must be posted in a sealed envelope on the rental unit's door. This step only starts the process, which can lead to a court filing called a dispossessory proceeding.
Georgia landlords should make sure their notice includes the information required for the type of eviction involved. The document must comply with state law and clearly communicate the reason possession is being requested.
| Requirement | What to include |
|---|---|
| Written demand | Issue a written demand naming every tenant on the lease. |
| Reason for the demand | State clearly that you demand possession due to lease default. |
| Correct notice period | Allow three business days for unpaid rent, since most other violations have no fixed minimum. |
| Payment details | Itemize overdue rent and fees required to satisfy the demand. |
| Signature and date | Add the landlord's signature and a formal demand date before serving. |
| Proper delivery | Serve the tenant personally or use GA tack-and-mail procedure. |
| Proof of service | Retain a copy and delivery receipt for your dispossessory affidavit. |
Georgia's dispossessory statute sets most of these rules. Skipping the sealed-envelope requirement can get your case dismissed in court, so follow the delivery method exactly.
Georgia does not set one universal notice period. The right document depends on why the tenancy is ending:
The two demand notices can lead to a dispossessory filing, while the 30- and 60-day notices simply end a tenancy at will.
Use this notice, often called the 3-day eviction notice, when a tenant has not paid rent on time. Once you make the demand, the tenant has 3 business days to pay in full or vacate.
State the exact amount owed, plus any late fees and utility charges the lease assigns to the tenant. Post the notice in a sealed envelope on the door. This is covered in O.C.G.A. §44-7-50.
Create Your Georgia Demand for Possession for Non-Payment of Rent
This notice applies when a tenant breaks a lease term other than paying rent, such as keeping an unauthorized pet or damaging the property. Describe the violation and demand that the tenant fix it or leave.
Georgia sets no minimum waiting period for this type of demand, unlike the three-day rule for unpaid rent. Many landlords still allow a day or two to create a clear record before filing in court. Some may use a 24-hour eviction notice, though state law does not set that specific figure.
Create Your Georgia Demand for Possession for Lease Violation
A tenant on a month-to-month tenancy who wants to move out must give the landlord 30 days' notice before leaving. This notice comes from the tenant, not the landlord.
Keeping a copy of this notice protects both sides if a dispute comes up over the move-out date. It also gives a landlord time to plan for re-listing the property.
A landlord ending a month-to-month tenancy must give the tenant 60 days' notice before the termination date. You do not need to state a reason for this type of notice.
A shorter notice period is not valid and can delay your case if the tenant contests it. Confirm the tenancy is genuinely month-to-month, since a fixed lease term works differently.
Create Your Georgia 60-Day Notice to Vacate Month-to-Month Tenancy
Completing the template is the easy part. Serving it the way the law requires is what protects your case in court. Here’s how to deliver an eviction notice in Georgia, the easy way:
Pick the notice that matches your situation, such as unpaid rent or a lease violation. A month-to-month move-out calls for a different document entirely, and the wrong choice can set your case back.
Add the tenant's name, rental property address, reason for the demand, and any outstanding amount. Confirm the required notice period before serving the document.
Review the information for errors, then add the landlord's signature and date. Keeping the final version consistent with the copy served on the tenant can help avoid disputes later.
Deliver the demand personally or use Georgia's tack-and-mail procedure by posting it at the property and mailing a copy on the same day.
Archive a dated copy of the demand for possession to attach directly to your Magistrate Court dispossessory filing. This record supports your case if the tenant disputes it.
Do not move to the next stage until the applicable notice period has passed. During that time, the tenant may pay what is owed, correct the issue, or leave the property.
If the tenant refuses to yield possession, file a Dispossessory Affidavit in the county Magistrate Court to schedule a hearing. The tenant then has seven days to answer, per O.C.G.A. §44-7-51.
Landlords ask several recurring questions about this process, and here are direct answers.
The period depends on the reason for the notice. Unpaid rent requires 3 business days, while a month-to-month tenancy needs 60 days' notice from the landlord. Most lease violations have no fixed minimum period.
A demand for possession is the notice required before a landlord can file in court. It tells the tenant to fix the problem or leave, giving them a chance to respond first.
For a month-to-month tenancy, Georgia lets a landlord end it with 60 days' notice and no stated reason. Ending a fixed-term lease early generally requires a valid reason, such as unpaid rent or a violation.
A tenant generally has seven days from the date of service to file an answer, whether written or oral. Missing this deadline can lead to a default judgment against the tenant.
No, this is a criminal offense while a dispossessory case is pending. Cutting off utilities can lead to a $500 fine and criminal charges, per O.C.G.A. §44-7-14.1.
If the tenant does not answer, the landlord can request a default judgment and move toward a writ of possession. Georgia gives the tenant seven days after judgment before the sheriff can enforce the writ.
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