Tenant Rights
Learn about eviction in Georgia
Eviction Defense Manual
Use the Housing Justice League’s Eviction Defense Manual to learn about the legal eviction process, understand your rights, and best defend yourself.
Steps to take after eviction
Learn about the steps you should take if you are evicted in Georgia from Lawyer Charles Kuck:
Negotiation Letters
You have the opportunity to negotiate with your landlord and come to an agreement.
Below are drafted letter templates that you can use to negotiate the terms of your lease agreement.
illegal evictions
Learn more about illegal evictions from Atlanta Legal Aid. Check out the videos!
Legal Resources
Around 40,000 evictions are filed every year in Fulton County, and less than 2% of tenants served with Eviction Complaints have legal representation at their court hearing.
53% of tenants served with Eviction Complaints do not file an answer, losing their opportunity to challenge their eviction in court.
Having equal access to legal representation and an understanding of tenant rights and the eviction process can dramatically change outcomes for those facing eviction.
These organizations provide free legal assistance to Atlanta tenants, improving opportunities for safe and stable housing in low-income and underrepresented communities.
Online resources for tenants
Tenant working groups
Tenant solidarity hotline [currently paused]
Free civil legal help in housing, consumer rights, family, and health
Apply online
Call (404) 524-5811
Spanish Speakers: Call (404) 377-5381
Home Defense Program: advice, referrals, and legal representation to homeowners who are facing the loss of their homes, have been targeted for predatory mortgage lending or servicing practices, and/or have been wrongfully denied loan modifications or HomeSafe Georgia assistance
Call (770) 648-4290
Eviction defense and housing court assistance
Call (404) 521-0790
Housing Court Assistance Center (HCAC) / Justice Resource Center (JRC):
Located at the Fulton County Courthouse:
Room TG-100, 185 Central Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA 30303
Directions: Take the blue elevators to the 7th floor. When you exit the elevator, the JRC will be directly in front of you. For more information, go to the information desk on the ground floor.
Hours:
Mondays 1pm-4pm
Tuesdays 1pm-4pm
Thursdays 9am-12pm
No appointment necessary
Utility Assistance
Georgia Power Utility Assistance Program
Georgia Power is offering utility assistance for qualifying customers, in partnership with the Georgia Rental Assistance Program.
This federally-funded program may offer you one or more of the following: Bill payment assistance, energy crisis assistance, and/or weatherization and energy-related home repairs.
Eligibility Requirements include:
Being a Georgia Power Company customer
Having a past-due utility balance
Live in a qualifying zip code
Qualify for unemployment benefits or have experienced a reduction in household income
To learn more about applying and other eligibility requirements, click here.
Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP)
LIHWAP exists to assist households with low incomes in paying past due bills for drinking water and/or wastewater services.
Eligibility Requirements include:
Have a total gross income at or below 60% of the State Median Income Guidelines for Georgia
Be responsible for paying the cost of water for the household or be able to verify a water burden
Be a US citizen or lawfully admitted immigrant
Fulton County residents can schedule an appointment to apply through the Fulton Atlanta Community Action Authority here.
Low Income Household Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
The US Department of Health and Human Services offers assistance with energy costs through the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
LIHEAP helps households maintain safe and healthy indoor temperatures by helping people pay home heating bills, preventing energy shutoffs, reconnecting services, and making homes more energy efficient.
To apply, call the Energy Assistance Hotline at 1-866-674-6327 or email energyassistance@ncat.org.
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