General information, not legal advice. Landlord-tenant rules change, and cities and counties can add their own. Check the current statute and local ordinances, and talk to a licensed attorney before you act.
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The short version
- A service member with qualifying orders can end a lease with 30 days of written notice and a copy of the orders.
- To end a tenancy at will, a tenant gives 30 days of notice and a landlord gives 60 days.
- A tenant with a civil family violence or stalking protective order, or a criminal order, can generally end the lease with 30 days of written notice and a copy of the order.
Georgia lets service members with qualifying orders and survivors of family violence with a protective order end a lease early with written notice. Other early departures are governed mainly by the lease.
Georgia breaking a lease at a glance
| Rule | Georgia | Law |
|---|---|---|
| Military service | A service member with qualifying orders can end a lease with 30 days of written notice and a copy of the orders. | O.C.G.A. section 44-7-22 and Servicemembers Civil Relief Act |
| Domestic violence survivors | A tenant with a civil family violence or stalking protective order, or a criminal order, can generally end the lease with 30 days of written notice and a copy of the order. | Official Code of Georgia, Title 44 Chapter 7 (family violence termination) |
| Month-to-month notice | To end a tenancy at will, a tenant gives 30 days of notice and a landlord gives 60 days. | O.C.G.A. section 44-7-7 |
Reasons that allow an early exit
A few situations let a tenant end a lease early with written notice and no penalty beyond what the law allows.
Military service. A service member with qualifying orders can end a lease with 30 days of written notice and a copy of the orders. (O.C.G.A. section 44-7-22 and Servicemembers Civil Relief Act)
Domestic violence survivors. A tenant with a civil family violence or stalking protective order, or a criminal order, can generally end the lease with 30 days of written notice and a copy of the order. (Official Code of Georgia, Title 44 Chapter 7 (family violence termination))
Unlivable conditions
We could not confirm a statewide rule here. Check your county court or a local attorney.
What the tenant may still owe
Outside those situations, a tenant who leaves early is usually responsible for rent until the lease ends or the unit is re-rented, whichever comes first.
We could not confirm a statewide rule here. Check your county court or a local attorney.
Month-to-month tenancies
Month-to-month notice. To end a tenancy at will, a tenant gives 30 days of notice and a landlord gives 60 days. (O.C.G.A. section 44-7-7)
Mistakes to avoid
- Billing the tenant for every remaining month without trying to re-rent the unit.
- Ignoring a protected early termination notice because it is inconvenient.
- Agreeing to an early exit by phone without a written agreement.
- Keeping more of the deposit than the lawful deductions.
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General information, not legal advice.
Verify current law
We last checked these Georgia rules on . Laws change and cities can add their own, so confirm the current text before you rely on it, and talk to a Georgia attorney about your situation.
Laws named on this page
- O.C.G.A. section 44-7-22 and Servicemembers Civil Relief Act
- Official Code of Georgia, Title 44 Chapter 7 (family violence termination)
- O.C.G.A. section 44-7-7
Official sources
Georgia forms for this topic
Letters and checklists for this topic
Asked by landlords in this state.
Can a service member break a lease in Georgia?
A service member with qualifying orders can end a lease with 30 days of written notice and a copy of the orders. Source: O.C.G.A. section 44-7-22 and Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
Can a survivor of abuse end a lease early in Georgia?
A tenant with a civil family violence or stalking protective order, or a criminal order, can generally end the lease with 30 days of written notice and a copy of the order. Source: Official Code of Georgia, Title 44 Chapter 7 (family violence termination).
How much notice ends a month-to-month tenancy in Georgia?
To end a tenancy at will, a tenant gives 30 days of notice and a landlord gives 60 days. Source: O.C.G.A. section 44-7-7.