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Eviction in Clayton County (Jonesboro), Georgia

Where eviction cases are filed in Clayton County (Jonesboro), what it costs, local rent levels and where to get help — with the official court, county and HUD sources.

Quick facts: eviction in Clayton County (Jonesboro)

Eviction court
Magistrate Court of Clayton County — Magistrate court (dispossessory proceedings) Court page
Filing fee
$50.00 dispossessory filing fee for one defendant + $25.00 service fee per case (Court's designated process server) Magistrate Court of Clayton County, Landlord-Tenant Dispossessory page
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)
$1,820/month HUD
Renter households
48,159 (46% of households) Census ACS 2020–2024

Last verified against official sources: 2026-10-23

Where eviction cases are filed in Clayton County (Jonesboro)

Eviction cases in Clayton County (Jonesboro) are heard by the Magistrate Court of Clayton County (Magistrate court (dispossessory proceedings)).

Court eviction page · E-filing

Evictions (dispossessories) for property in Clayton County are filed with the Magistrate Court Clerk. E-filing is mandatory for all dispossessory cases. Service is by "tack and mail" through the Court's designated process server. Mediation is offered to all self-represented tenants at the hearing. After a writ of possession is signed, the landlord contacts the Sheriff's Department to schedule the set-out.

How much it costs to file an eviction in Clayton County (Jonesboro)

$50.00 dispossessory filing fee for one defendant + $25.00 service fee per case (Court's designated process server)

The service fee can be paid by cash, money order or business check at the courthouse. Under a 2024 local act the clerk may include an eviction mediation program fee of up to $5 within (not on top of) the standard dispossessory filing fee. A tenant or landlord who cannot pay may ask to file a pauper's affidavit.

Source: Magistrate Court of Clayton County, Landlord-Tenant Dispossessory page

How eviction cases work locally

Eviction Mediation ProgramThe Magistrate Court of Clayton County operates an Eviction Mediation Program. A 2024 local act (HB 1313) authorizes the clerk to collect a fee of up to $5 per dispossessory filing, as part of the standard filing fee, used only to support that program.
Source: Official source

The Georgia eviction process

Georgia state law sets the notice periods and court steps everywhere in the state, including Clayton County (Jonesboro):

  1. 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))
  2. Landlord files a sworn dispossessory affidavit
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. Hearing (usually within about 7 days if a valid defense is raised); judgment
  6. 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 Clayton County (Jonesboro)

HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rents for the Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA HUD Metro FMR Area (the rent levels used for Section 8 vouchers):

Studio$1,585
1 bedroom$1,660
2 bedrooms$1,820
3 bedrooms$2,182
4 bedrooms$2,605

Source: HUD Fair Market Rent documentation

Median gross rent in Clayton County (Jonesboro): $1,433/month (Census ACS 2020–2024 5-year estimates).

HUD designates this area for Small Area FMRs: Housing Choice Voucher programs here use ZIP-code-level FMRs. Figures shown are the area-wide FY2026 FMRs from HUD's metro calculation page: https://www.huduser.gov/portal/datasets/fmr/fmrs/FY2026_code/2026summary.odn?cbsasub=METRO12060M12060&year=2026&fmrtype=Final&dallas_sa_override=TRUE&selection_type=hmfa

County tenant ordinance

No county-level landlord-tenant ordinance identified.

Eviction help in Clayton County (Jonesboro)

Free legal help

Other Georgia counties

Related

Frequently asked questions

Where do I file an eviction in Clayton County (Jonesboro)?
Eviction cases in Clayton County (Jonesboro) are filed with the Magistrate Court of Clayton County.
How much does it cost to file an eviction in Clayton County (Jonesboro)?
$50.00 dispossessory filing fee for one defendant + $25.00 service fee per case (Court's designated process server)
Where can I get help with an eviction in Clayton County (Jonesboro)?
Atlanta Legal Aid Society (Clayton); Georgia Legal Aid (GeorgiaLegalAid.org eviction information).
What is the fair market rent in Clayton County (Jonesboro)?
HUD's FY2026 Fair Market Rent for a 2-bedroom unit is $1,820 per month (1-bedroom: $1,660).

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.