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Athens Landlord-Tenant Rules

Athens adds local rules on top of Georgia landlord-tenant law. Here is what is different, with the city code or agency page behind each rule.

Fair housing (local protected classes)Athens-Clarke County's Non-Discrimination Ordinance aims to ensure equal access to employment, housing and public accommodations. It covers discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, familial status, or veteran/military status. To complain, fill out the county's Discrimination Complaint Form and deliver it to the Attorney's Office or mail it to P.O. Box 427, Athens, GA 30603; the Attorney's Office reviews complaints.
The county page does not state a filing deadline or penalties.
Habitability/code enforcement & complaint lineThe Code Enforcement Division handles housing and property-maintenance violations on private property, including rental homes and apartments. Tenants may report violations, but must first notify the landlord or property maintenance staff and give them time to fix the problem. Call 706-613-3790 or visit 120 W. Dougherty St., Athens. The division also publishes a Rentals Repair Guide for Tenants.
Tenant notice requirement: https://www.accgov.com/FAQ.aspx?QID=490
Local rental assistanceAthens-Clarke County funds Family Promise of Athens (706-425-1881) to run an Eviction Prevention Program (FY26 Community Partnerships funding, program period starting July 1, 2025) and a Homelessness Diversion Program. The Athens Homeless Coalition's Flexible Housing Support Fund requires a referral from a local partner agency. Contact the agencies directly for eligibility and how to apply.
Funding periods change; confirm the program is open.

Eviction cases in Athens are heard in: Athens-Clarke County Magistrate Court, Civil Division; Clerk of Magistrate Court, Room 240, 325 East Washington Street, Athens. The court may provide a mediator at no additional cost.

Right to a lawyer in eviction cases

No guaranteed right. The county's eviction resources page lists no free eviction lawyer program; it funds eviction prevention through Family Promise of Athens. Official source

Local agencies

Frequently asked questions

What landlord-tenant rules does Athens add on top of Georgia law?
Fair housing (local protected classes): Athens-Clarke County's Non-Discrimination Ordinance aims to ensure equal access to employment, housing and public accommodations. It covers discrimination based on actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status, familial status, or veteran/military status. To complain, fill out the county's Discrimination Complaint Form and deliver it to the Attorney's Office or mail it to P.O. Box 427, Athens, GA 30603; the Attorney's Office reviews complaints.; Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line: The Code Enforcement Division handles housing and property-maintenance violations on private property, including rental homes and apartments. Tenants may report violations, but must first notify the landlord or property maintenance staff and give them time to fix the problem. Call 706-613-3790 or visit 120 W. Dougherty St., Athens. The division also publishes a Rentals Repair Guide for Tenants.; Local rental assistance: Athens-Clarke County funds Family Promise of Athens (706-425-1881) to run an Eviction Prevention Program (FY26 Community Partnerships funding, program period starting July 1, 2025) and a Homelessness Diversion Program. The Athens Homeless Coalition's Flexible Housing Support Fund requires a referral from a local partner agency. Contact the agencies directly for eligibility and how to apply.

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Last verified against official sources: October 28, 2026.

How we source this page: each state-specific rule links to the statute, court rule or official government page it comes from. A rule taken from a public copy of a state code (used only where the official code is not freely readable online) is marked as a secondary source. Spot an error? Use the contact page to report it. About our sources

General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.