Eviction in Clarke County (Athens), Georgia
Where eviction cases are filed in Clarke County (Athens), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.
Quick facts: eviction in Clarke County (Athens)
- Eviction court
- Magistrate Court of Athens-Clarke County — Magistrate court (dispossessory proceedings) Court page
- Filing fee
- $79 for one defendant + $25 for each additional defendant Athens-Clarke County — Dispossessory (Eviction)
- 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)
- $1,331/month HUD
- Renter households
- 31,891 (59% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024
Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23
Where eviction cases are filed in Clarke County (Athens)
Eviction cases in Clarke County (Athens) are heard by the Magistrate Court of Athens-Clarke County (Magistrate court (dispossessory proceedings)).
- Clerk of Magistrate Court — 325 East Washington Street, Room 240, Athens, GA · website
Court eviction page · Self-help center
Online filing is not currently available; file in person with the Clerk of Magistrate Court (out-of-county filers may call for forms by mail). Forms must be completely filled out and notarized. The court states the answer must be received by 5:00 p.m. on the seventh day after service (in person, by mail or by fax to 706-613-3314); if an answer is filed, a hearing is scheduled within 14 days of the service date.
How much it costs to file an eviction in Clarke County (Athens)
$79 for one defendant + $25 for each additional defendant
Checks payable to 'Athens-Clarke County Magistrate Court'. Writ of possession fee not listed.
Source: Athens-Clarke County — Dispossessory (Eviction)
How eviction cases work locally
| Mediation | The court may provide a mediator to help the parties resolve the case before the hearing, at no additional cost. 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 Clarke County (Athens):
- 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 Clarke County (Athens)
HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Athens-Clarke County, GA MSA (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):
| Studio | $1,159 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | $1,183 |
| 2 bedrooms | $1,331 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,734 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,831 |
Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation
Median gross rent in Clarke County (Athens): $1,219/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).
County tenant ordinance
No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified. Athens and Clarke County have a unified government; local rules are on the Athens city page.
Eviction help in Clarke County (Athens)
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 Chatham County (Savannah)
- Eviction in Clayton County (Jonesboro)
- Eviction in Muscogee County (Columbus)
- Eviction in Richmond County (Augusta)
- 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 Clarke County (Athens)?
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Clarke County (Athens)?
Where can I get help with an eviction in Clarke County (Athens)?
What is the fair market rent in Clarke County (Athens)?
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.