Georgia Rent Late Fee Calculator
Calculate rent late fees and verify compliance with Georgia state regulations. Free instant calculator with legal compliance verification.
Georgia's rent late fee regulations are considered landlord-friendly, largely due to the absence of a statutory cap on late fees. Instead, late fees must adhere to a reasonableness standard, which requires landlords to ensure that fees are fair and justifiable. This gives landlords flexibility but also necessitates careful consideration of what constitutes a reasonable fee.(GA Code § 44-7-2)
Governs landlord and tenant relationships, including lease agreements
Related Statutes
In Georgia, while there is no statutory cap on late fees, they must meet a reasonableness standard. This means that fees should reflect the actual costs incurred by the landlord due to the late payment and should not be punitive in nature. A written lease agreement must specify any late fees to be enforceable.
Key Factors:
- The actual costs incurred by the landlord due to late payment
- Comparison with typical market practices
- The lease terms agreed upon by both parties
Atlanta
Atlanta does not impose additional regulations on late fees beyond state law, but landlords must ensure fees are reasonable.
Learn moreSavannah
Similar to Atlanta, Savannah follows state regulations without additional local ordinances on late fees.
Learn moreNew Clarifications on Reasonableness
The Georgia legislature provided further guidance on what constitutes a reasonable late fee, emphasizing the importance of aligning fees with actual incurred costs.
Florida
No specific statutory cap, but fees must be reasonable.
Alabama
No statutory cap, similar to Georgia.
South Carolina
No statutory cap, reasonableness standard applies.
Landlord Best Practices:
- •Clearly document any late fees in the lease agreement.
- •Ensure that late fees are proportionate to the costs incurred due to late payment.
- •Stay informed about local court rulings regarding reasonableness to ensure compliance.
Tenant Best Practices:
- •Review lease agreements carefully to understand late fee policies.
- •Communicate promptly with landlords if a late payment is anticipated.
- •Negotiate reasonable late fees before signing the lease.
Georgia Department of Community Affairs
Provides information on rental housing assistance and tenant rights.
Georgia Legal Aid
Offers legal help and information for tenants dealing with housing issues.
Atlanta Legal Aid Society
Provides free civil legal services to low-income people in the Atlanta metro area.
Frequently Asked Questions - Georgia
No statutory limit. Reasonableness standard applies. Must be in written lease.
View Official State Law →Updated October 2025