Eviction in Chatham County (Savannah), Georgia
Where eviction cases are filed in Chatham County (Savannah), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Chatham County (Savannah)
- Eviction court
- Magistrate Court of Chatham County — Magistrate court (dispossessory proceedings) Court page
- Filing fee
- $53 dispossessory warrant + $25 service per defendant + $0.82 stamp fee per filing if a stamp is not provided Chatham County Magistrate Court — Fees
- Notice before filing (state law)
- Before filing a dispossessory affidavit for unpaid rent, late fees, utilities, or other charges, the landlord must give the tenant a notice to vacate or pay all past-due amounts within three business days. The notice must be posted in a sealed envelope conspicuously on the door of the property AND delivered by any additional method(s) agreed upon in the rental agreement. Georgia rules
- HUD Fair Market Rent, 2-bedroom (FY2026)
- $1,680/month HUD
- Renter households
- 52,064 (43% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23
Where eviction cases are filed in Chatham County (Savannah)
Eviction cases in Chatham County (Savannah) are heard by the Magistrate Court of Chatham County (Magistrate court (dispossessory proceedings)).
- Chatham County Court Complex (Savannah) — Coleman Courthouse, 133 Montgomery Street, Savannah, GA 31401; Gadsden Courthouse, 400 W. Oglethorpe Ave., Savannah, GA 31401 — the court site lists both buildings of the complex; confirm with the Magistrate Court clerk which office handles dispossessory filings · website
Court eviction page · E-filing · Search court records
The Magistrate Court hears landlord-tenant disputes, including dispossessory proceedings. The court states that a tenant has seven days from service to file an answer. Filers with more than five filings per entity per day must e-file (eFile Georgia).
How much it costs to file an eviction in Chatham County (Savannah)
$53 dispossessory warrant + $25 service per defendant + $0.82 stamp fee per filing if a stamp is not provided
The court will not accept out-of-state checks; checks require valid ID; card payments carry a processing fee and American Express is not accepted. The stamp portion follows postage rates, so confirm the current total with the clerk. No writ of possession fee is listed.
Source: Chatham County Magistrate Court — Fees
How eviction cases work locally
| E-filing | Cases may be filed online through eFile Georgia (Tyler); case records can be viewed through re:SearchGA. Source: Official source |
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The Georgia eviction process
Georgia state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Chatham County (Savannah):
- Demand for possession; for nonpayment, a notice to vacate or pay within 3 business days, posted in a sealed envelope on the door and delivered by any additional method in the lease (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50(c)-(d))
- Landlord files a sworn dispossessory affidavit
- Summons served by sheriff/deputy, constable, or (since 7/1/2025) an approved process server: personal service, an adult resident, or post-and-mail the same day; tack-and-mail alone supports possession but not a money judgment if tenant defaults
- Tenant answers orally or in writing within 7 days of service (tendering all rent allegedly owed plus the cost of the dispossessory warrant within 7 days of service is a complete defense, which the landlord must accept only once in any 12-month period); if the case is not decided within 2 weeks, tenant must pay rent into court
- Hearing (usually within about 7 days if a valid defense is raised); judgment
- Writ of possession after 7 days; sheriff supervises removal and property is placed on landlord's land. Either party may appeal within 7 days; tenant must pay rent into court to stay in the unit
Full Georgia eviction rules with sources →
Rent in Chatham County (Savannah)
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Savannah, GA MSA (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $1,455 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,533 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,680 |
| 3 bedrooms | $2,235 |
| 4 bedrooms | $2,547 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Chatham County (Savannah): $1,471/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
County tenant ordinance
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified.
Eviction help in Chatham County (Savannah)
Free legal help
- Georgia Legal Services Program (GLSP) — Free civil legal help for eligible low-income residents (generally income at or below 200% of the federal poverty level) or people 60 and older in the 154 Georgia counties outside metro Atlanta; 1-833-GLSPLAW (1-833-457-7529); apply online through GLSP.
- Georgia Legal Aid (GeorgiaLegalAid.org eviction information) — Statewide self-help information on Georgia evictions.
Other Georgia counties
- Eviction in Fulton County (Atlanta)
- Eviction in DeKalb County (Decatur)
- Eviction in Gwinnett County (Lawrenceville)
- Eviction in Cobb County (Marietta)
- Eviction in Clayton County (Jonesboro)
- Eviction in Muscogee County (Columbus)
- Eviction in Richmond County (Augusta)
- Eviction in Clarke County (Athens)
- Eviction in Bibb County (Macon)
Related
- Georgia landlord-tenant law
- How long an eviction takes in Georgia
- Georgia eviction notice periods
- Notice deadline calculator
- How to evict a tenant in Georgia (landlords)
Frequently asked questions
Where do I file an eviction in Chatham County (Savannah)?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Chatham County (Savannah)?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Chatham County (Savannah)?
What is the fair market rent in Chatham County (Savannah)?
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.