Evicting a bad tenant in Georgia costs ~$6,560.
How Georgia handles evictions
Among the fastest eviction states. The 2024 Safe at Home Act added a 3-business-day pay-or-vacate notice for leases entered or renewed on/after July 1, 2024.
The eviction process in Georgia, step by step
Governed by O.C.G.A. § 44-7-49 et seq. (Dispossessory Proceedings).
- 1
Demand possession / serve noticeDay 0
Demand for possession (§ 44-7-50(a)); for nonpayment on post-July-2024 leases, deliver and post the 3-business-day pay-or-vacate notice (§ 44-7-50(c)); tenancy at will needs a 60-day termination notice first (§ 44-7-7).
- 2
File the dispossessory affidavitDays ~0–3
Filed in magistrate court after the tenant refuses or fails to deliver possession ($60 in Fulton and Gwinnett).
- 3
Summons servedA few days
Sheriff/marshal serves personally, or by tack-and-mail if personal service fails (§ 44-7-51).
- 4
Tenant answer window7 days from service
Answer may be oral or written (§ 44-7-51); no answer → default.
- 5
Default writ or hearing+1–3 weeks
No answer: writ of possession issues without further hearing (§ 44-7-53). Answered: hearing, then judgment (§ 44-7-55).
- 6
Writ effective / appeal window7 days after judgment
The writ of possession becomes effective 7 days after judgment, the same window as the 7-day appeal (§§ 44-7-55, 44-7-56).
- 7
Sheriff/marshal executes the writDay +7 onward
Set-out performed by the sheriff, marshal, or constable ($75 writ fee in Fulton).
Georgia court fees
| Fee | Amount |
|---|---|
| Dispossessory filing fee | $60 (Fulton and Gwinnett) |
| Service | $35 marshal (Fulton, +$8/additional defendant); $25 sheriff (Gwinnett) |
| Writ of possession | $75 (Fulton); $25 (Gwinnett) |
Required notice periods in Georgia
Nonpayment of rent
3 business days' written pay-or-vacate notice (leases entered/renewed on or after July 1, 2024); older leases: demand for possession with no fixed day count
Lease violation
No statutory cure period, demand for possession; the lease governs any cure right
No cause / end of term
60 days' written notice from the landlord (tenancy at will)
Statute: O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-50, 44-7-7
Most of that loss is preventable.
Bad tenants almost always leave a paper trail, the problem is that most landlords don't check carefully. Here's what a proper screening catches before you sign the lease.
Georgia eviction cost FAQ
How much does it cost to evict someone in Georgia?
In magistrate court expect roughly $75–$175 before attorney fees. Fulton County charges $60 to file the dispossessory affidavit plus $35 for marshal service (and $8 per additional tenant), and $75 to issue the writ of possession; Gwinnett charges $60 filing, $25 service, and $25 for the writ. Fees are set per county.
How long does an eviction take in Georgia?
Commonly 2–4 weeks uncontested. The tenant has 7 days from service to answer (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-51); with no answer the court issues a writ of possession that becomes effective 7 days after judgment (§ 44-7-55), the same window that serves as the 7-day appeal period (§ 44-7-56).
How much notice do I give before evicting for nonpayment in Georgia?
Georgia's base rule is only a "demand for possession" with no fixed day count (§ 44-7-50(a)). But for leases entered into or renewed on or after July 1, 2024, the Safe at Home Act requires a written 3-business-day notice to pay all past-due amounts or vacate, posted on the door, before you file (§ 44-7-50(c)).
How do I end a month-to-month tenancy in Georgia?
Give 60 days' written notice as the landlord (a tenant needs to give 30) to terminate the tenancy at will (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-7); after it ends you still demand possession before filing the dispossessory.
Can I remove the tenant myself after winning in Georgia?
No. Only the sheriff, marshal, or constable may execute the writ of possession (set-out), and not until 7 days after judgment (§§ 44-7-55, 44-7-56). Self-help lockouts are not permitted.
How much is the eviction filing fee in Georgia?
$60, filed with the Magistrate Court (Dispossessory). Service, writ, and execution fees are typically extra and vary by county/court.
What court handles evictions in Georgia?
Evictions in Georgia are handled by the Magistrate Court (Dispossessory).
Sources & methodology
The filing fee is the Magistrate Court (Dispossessory)'s published fee, last checked against the fee schedule on 2026-07-02. The timeline and typical rent are estimates. Property damage ($2,500), legal fees ($1,000) and turnover ($1,500) are round planning figures, the same for every state, not costs measured in Georgia. Real costs vary by county, whether the tenant contests, and the market. Primary statute: O.C.G.A. § 44-7-49 et seq. (Dispossessory Proceedings).
- O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50 (demand / 3-day pay-or-vacate notice)
- O.C.G.A. § 44-7-51 (summons / 7-day answer)
- O.C.G.A. § 44-7-55 (judgment / writ of possession)
- Fulton County Magistrate Court: Filing Fees
- Georgia DCA: Landlord-Tenant Handbook
This page is general information, not legal advice. Consult a local attorney for your specific situation.