Politics
Politics

Renter protections from slumlords approved by Georgia Legislature

The Georgia House of Representatives voted on many bills during the 39th day of legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol on Friday, March 29, 2019. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

The Georgia House of Representatives voted on many bills during the 39th day of legislative session at the Georgia State Capitol on Friday, March 29, 2019. HYOSUB SHIN / HSHIN@AJC.COM
By Mark Niesse
March 29, 2019

The Georgia House gave final passage Friday to a bill protecting renters from eviction when they complain about mold, rats and other unhealthy conditions.

The House voted 125-28 to send House Bill 346 to Gov. Brian Kemp for his signature.

Supporters of the bill said it will help stop landlords from evicting tenants rather than fixing housing problems.

The legislation makes it easier for renters to win court cases and remain in their homes. Landlords who wrongfully tried to evict tenants would be responsible for paying them one month’s rent, plus $500 and legal costs.

About the Author

Mark Niesse is an enterprise reporter and covers elections and Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.

Follow Mark Niesse on twitter
More Stories

Keep Reading

Christina Mondestin, left, owner of Beni Destiné jewelry, sells a necklace at her booth at the Atlanta Beltline Marketplace's annual Small Business Saturday event, Nov. 29, 2025 (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Georgia shoppers flock to local shops for Small Business Saturday

Atlanta shoppers participated in Small Business Saturday, an annual event created in 2010 by credit card giant American Express to encourage shopping local.

OBITUARY

AME Bishop Reginald Jackson, religious and political leader, dies at 71

Jackson served for eight years as head of 500 African Methodist Episcopal churches in Georgia.

Georgia dismisses Trump election case, ending his last criminal prosecution

Fulton DA Fani Willis launched the investigation nearly five years ago saying Trump and his allies conspired to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia.

The Latest

Christina Mondestin, left, owner of Beni Destiné jewelry, sells a necklace at her booth at the Atlanta Beltline Marketplace's annual Small Business Saturday event, Nov. 29, 2025 (Ben Hendren for the AJC)

Credit: Ben Hendren

Georgia shoppers flock to local shops for Small Business Saturday

Georgia dismisses Trump election case, ending his last criminal prosecution

Fulton County taxpayers could be on the hook for millions as Trump case ends

Featured

Carleigh Knight (left) and her sister, Natalie Rogovin, look at Christmas ornaments while shopping at Kudzu Antiques + Modern in Decatur on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller

Metro Atlanta retailers hopeful for strong holiday season after chaotic year

Some independent retailers in metro Atlanta are entering this holiday season feeling battered by what they call a chaotic year.

$21B data center proposal aims to become one of Georgia’s largest

Trammell Crow Co. is planning a $21 billion technology campus for a 1,632-acre site along I-75 roughly 60 miles southeast of downtown Atlanta.

This metro Atlanta couple spearheaded a change in football helmets

Erin and Lee Hanson are the founders behind Guardian Sports, the company that makes the Guardian Caps worn by college football and NFL players.