Yesterday, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed House Bill 404 into law, codifying essential protections for Georgia renters. The bill passed the State Senate and House of Representatives via near unanimous votes, showcasing a bipartisan commitment to addressing the housing needs of Georgians. The bill will become effective on July 1, 2024. 

House Bill 404 addresses Georgia’s obsolete and insufficient housing regulations, which exacerbate hazardous living conditions for hundreds of thousands of Georgia families and their children. Enacting House Bill 404 establishes the requirement that residential rental properties must be fit for human habitation – a basic standard that is currently absent from state law. The bill will also reduce unjust financial burdens and promote affordability for renters by capping security deposits at two months’ rent and providing a right-to-cure of three business days to allow tenants to pay past-due rent before a landlord can file an eviction.

“We believe that access to safe and stable housing is not just a basic need, but a fundamental right,” said Michael Lucas, Executive Director of Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation. “This essential legislation is a huge step in ensuring housing justice for all in our community.”

The bill’s passage comes after a robust campaign of support from over 45 leading organizations across Georgia advocating on behalf of renters. This represents a significant victory for advocates of housing justice and underscores the power of collective action in addressing systemic challenges. Its passage is a testament to the tireless efforts of community organizations, legal advocates, and concerned citizens who worked tirelessly to ensure that the voices of renters were heard and their rights protected. It is imperative that we continue to prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations and strive for policies that promote equity and dignity for all Georgians.

About Atlanta Volunteer Lawyers Foundation
Serving Atlanta and Fulton County since 1979, AVLF is the largest provider of free legal services to two groups: low-income tenants and survivors of intimate partner abuse. Our mission is to create safe and stable homes and families by inspiring the fight for equal justice. We believe no one standing up for their rights should have to do it alone. Whatever our clients are up against, we’re here for them. At AVLF, ‘here’ means many things. It means beside them in court; at our downtown legal clinics nearly every Saturday of the year; in our two offices in the Fulton County Courthouse; in our communities’ schools; and in our clients’ homes. For more information, visit www.avlf.org.