Typical residential security deposit amount a landlord holds and later accounts for on a return statement in Georgia (2026)
A typical Georgia range, the local factors behind it, and the tools to price your own project.
Reviewed for 2026, updated September 8, 2026.
What drives the cost in Georgia
Georgia deposits sit near the national typical range in metro Atlanta and below it in most of the rest of the state, with Savannah's coastal market somewhere in between. State law sets no cap, is commonly cited as allowing 30 days for return with an itemized statement, and requires larger landlords and those using property managers to complete move-in and move-out inspection lists and keep deposits in escrow, with triple damages available for bad faith. Humid summers and heavy pollen seasons leave mildew and staining that are climate driven, and coastal Savannah adds salt air and storm exposure.
Tips for Georgia buyers
- If you own enough units to trigger the inspection-list requirement, have the tenant sign the move-in list; without it many deductions are hard to sustain.
- Pressure washing and pollen cleanup on exteriors is owner maintenance, not a tenant charge.
- Atlanta's turnover peaks in summer; keep a standing contractor list so estimates arrive before day 30.
Ranges are hedged planning estimates derived from a national typical range and a local index, not quotes. A typical single deposit on a market-rate residential rental is commonly around one month's rent, which puts most deposits somewhere in this range; actual amounts vary widely with local rents, unit size, pets, and state caps, and this is a working reference rather than a survey figure.
Price your project
- Deposit Deduction Depreciation Calculator: Estimates how much of a carpet, paint, blind, or appliance replacement a landlord can fairly deduct from a security deposit once the item's age and normal wear are taken into account.
- Security Deposit Refund Statement Calculator: Adds up the deposit held, any interest owed, and each itemized deduction to show the exact refund due to the tenant or the balance the tenant still owes.
- Late Deposit Return Penalty Exposure Calculator: Shows landlords how many days remain before a state return deadline and what missing it could cost when a statute allows forfeited deductions or multiplied damages.