From AJC Politics: Retaliatory Eviction
From AJC Politics: Retaliatory Eviction

Renter protections signed into Georgia law

02/21/2019 -- Austell, Georgia -- A warning of eveiciton sign is displayed in front of the leasing office at Parkview Apartments, located at 360 Riverside Parkway, in Austell, Thursday, February 21, 2019. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)

Credit: Alyssa Pointer

Credit: Alyssa Pointer

02/21/2019 -- Austell, Georgia -- A warning of eveiciton sign is displayed in front of the leasing office at Parkview Apartments, located at 360 Riverside Parkway, in Austell, Thursday, February 21, 2019. (ALYSSA POINTER/ALYSSA.POINTER@AJC.COM)
By Mark Niesse
May 9, 2019

A new Georgia law protects renters from being evicted for complaining about problems like mold, rats and bugs.

Gov. Brian Kemp signed the measure, House Bill 346, into law Wednesday.

Supporters say it empowers renters to remain in their homes and punishes landlords who don't fix housing problems.

Under the new law, landlords who wrongfully try to evict tenants are responsible for paying them one month’s rent, plus $500 and legal costs.

"This is giving people who are in the worst circumstances just a little bit of standing," said state Rep. Sharon Cooper, a Republican from Marietta who sponsored the bill. "It sends a message that we're not going to tolerate" unhealthy housing conditions.

Georgia joins 41 other states with similar laws against retaliatory evictions.

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.

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