Georgia Eviction Notice Template (O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50)
Before a landlord can file an eviction case, most states require a written notice that tells the tenant what is wrong and how long they have to fix it or move out. Answer the questions below to create a clear, professional notice — then check it against your state and local rules before you serve it.
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Free to preview[Landlord or property manager name]
[Your address and phone for the tenant to reach you]
October 15, 2026
To: [Tenant name(s)]
and all other occupants of
[Rental property address]
Re: [Type of notice] — [Rental property address]
Dear [Tenant name(s)],
This letter is formal written notice to you as the tenant of the property at [Rental property address]. Type of notice: [Type of notice].
The reason for this notice is as follows:
[Reason for this notice]
Within [Notice period in days] days after this notice is delivered to you, you must [What the tenant must do within that time]. If this notice is delivered to you on October 15, 2026, that period ends on October 15, 2026.
This notice is given under Official Code of Georgia § 44-7-50, which requires a landlord to demand possession of the property before filing a dispossessory action.
If you do not do so within that time, I intend to file an eviction case with the court to recover possession of the property. You will have the opportunity to respond in court, and you may not be removed from the property unless a court orders it. I will not remove you or your belongings or change the locks without a court order.
If you have questions about this notice, or wish to discuss payment or resolving the issue, please contact me in writing at the address above.
Sincerely,
[Landlord or property manager name]
Date this notice was delivered: ____________________
Method of delivery: ____________________
Delivered by: ____________________
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How eviction notices work in Georgia
Georgia evictions start with a demand for possession under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-50. Before filing for unpaid rent, late fees, utilities or other charges, the landlord must give a written notice to vacate or pay giving the tenant three business days, so weekends and holidays don't count. Georgia law sets no fixed cure period for other lease violations, so the lease terms control. To end a tenancy at will, such as a month-to-month arrangement, the landlord must give 60 days' notice, while a tenant gives 30 days.
The notice to vacate or pay must be posted in a sealed envelope on the door of the property and also delivered by any other method the rental agreement calls for. It should state the amount owed and the deadline to pay or leave. For other violations, the demand for possession need not be in writing, but a dated written demand naming the tenant, the property and the violation makes it much easier to prove when notice was given.
If the tenant doesn't comply, the landlord files a dispossessory affidavit in magistrate court in the county where the property is located, and the tenant has seven days after service to answer. Self-help evictions are illegal in Georgia: a landlord may not lock out a tenant or block access without going through the court process, and may not knowingly cut off heat, cooling, light or water service before the judge's final decision. A writ of possession, with removal generally supervised by the sheriff, is required to remove a tenant.
What to do, step by step
Check your state and local rules first
Look up the notice period, required wording and delivery method for your state, county and city. Many places set different periods for unpaid rent, lease violations and ending a tenancy, and some cities add their own just-cause rules.
Fill in the notice
Answer the questions above. Name every adult tenant on the lease, state the facts plainly and enter the exact number of days your rules require.
Serve it the way your state requires
States specify how a notice must be delivered — commonly hand delivery, leaving it with an adult at the home, posting and mailing, or certified mail. A notice served the wrong way may have to be redone.
Record how and when you served it
Write down the date, time, method and who delivered it, and keep a copy of the notice. Courts often ask for this proof of service.
Wait out the full notice period
Don't change the locks, remove belongings or shut off utilities. If the tenant fixes the problem, accept it as your rules require; if not, the next step is filing an eviction case in court.
What if the tenant doesn't respond to the notice?
An eviction notice is not an eviction. It is the written warning most states require before you can go to court. If the notice period ends and the tenant hasn't paid, fixed the violation or moved out, the next step is to file an eviction case — often called an unlawful detainer or summary possession case — with your local court.
Until a judge rules in your favor and a court officer such as a sheriff or marshal carries out the order, the tenant has the right to stay. Changing the locks, removing the tenant's belongings, cutting off utilities or otherwise forcing them out is a so-called self-help eviction, which is illegal in nearly every state and can expose you to damages.
Courts look closely at the notice itself. If the period was too short, the wording missed something your state requires or it was delivered the wrong way, the case can be dismissed and you may have to start over. Your local court's self-help center or a landlord association can tell you what your court expects.
Example Georgia eviction notice
A filled-in sample with made-up details, so you can see the finished result.
Greenway Rentals LLC
PO Box 2210, Lakeview, MN 55401 · (555) 201-4478
October 5, 2026
To: Taylor Brooks and Jamie Brooks
and all other occupants of
56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402
Re: Notice to pay rent or quit — 56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402
Dear Taylor Brooks and Jamie Brooks,
This letter is formal written notice to you as the tenant of the property at 56 Willow St, Unit 3, Lakeview, MN 55402. Type of notice: Notice to pay rent or quit.
The reason for this notice is as follows:
Rent of $1,450 for the month of September 2026, due on September 1, 2026, has not been paid, despite a reminder sent by email on September 10.
The total amount of rent now due is $1,450.00.
Within 14 days after this notice is delivered to you, you must pay the full amount of rent owed or move out of the property. If this notice is delivered to you on October 5, 2026, that period ends on October 19, 2026.
This notice is given under Official Code of Georgia § 44-7-50, which requires a landlord to demand possession of the property before filing a dispossessory action.
If you do not do so within that time, I intend to file an eviction case with the court to recover possession of the property. You will have the opportunity to respond in court, and you may not be removed from the property unless a court orders it. I will not remove you or your belongings or change the locks without a court order.
If you have questions about this notice, or wish to discuss payment or resolving the issue, please contact me in writing at the address above.
Sincerely,
Greenway Rentals LLC
Date this notice was delivered: ____________________
Method of delivery: ____________________
Delivered by: ____________________
Frequently asked questions
How much notice does a Georgia landlord give for unpaid rent?
At least three business days' written notice to vacate or pay all past-due rent, late fees, utilities and other charges before filing. The notice must be posted on the door in a sealed envelope and also sent by any other method the lease specifies. Weekends and holidays don't count toward the three days.
Can a Georgia tenant stop an eviction by paying?
Often, yes. Georgia lets a tenant pay all rent and fees owed, plus court costs, within seven days of being served with a dispossessory case. This tender defense can be used only once in a 12-month period. Once a judgment is entered for the landlord, the tenant can still be removed even if they pay.
How much notice ends a Georgia month-to-month tenancy?
For a tenancy at will, the landlord must give 60 days' notice, while a tenant gives 30 days. A landlord who wants to change the rent must also give 60 days' notice. Georgia law presumes retaliation if a landlord files an eviction or ends a lease within three months after a tenant's protected action, such as asking for repairs.
Is there a cure period for lease violations in Georgia?
Georgia law doesn't set a statewide cure period for lease violations other than rent. The lease may provide one, and the landlord must follow its notice and termination terms. Before filing, the landlord must demand possession, and the tenant must refuse or fail to leave.
How much notice do I have to give a tenant?
It depends on your state, sometimes your city, the type of notice and the lease. Periods for unpaid rent can be as short as a few days or as long as a month, and notices ending a month-to-month tenancy are often 30 days or more. Check your state's landlord-tenant law and any local ordinance before serving.
Is an eviction notice the same as being evicted?
No. A notice only starts the process. If the tenant doesn't comply, the landlord must file a case in court and win a judgment. Only a court order, carried out by a sheriff, marshal or similar officer, can legally remove a tenant from the property.
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