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EspañolWhat housing laws can protect me?
There are many different housing laws that involve rights of tenants and landlords. The housing law described in this section provides tenant protections for victims of domestic violence and stalking. The law allows you (the tenant) to terminate your lease before it expires if you are a victim of family violence or stalking and have a civil or criminal family violence protection order or stalking order.1
1 See Ga. Code § 44-7-23
Who is protected under this housing law?
You can get protection under this law if you have a family violence protection order or stalking protection order that protects you or your minor child. The order can be issued as part of a civil or criminal case.1
1 Ga. Code § 44-7-23(b)
What type of protection order would qualify me for protection under this housing law?
You are protected under this law if you have a civil or criminal family violence protection order or stalking protection order. The order must be issued to protect you or your minor child. You can be protected under this law if you are:
- a tenant in the home; or
- a joint tenant even if you are not required to pay rent to the landlord.1
A civil family violence order or stalking order includes:
- a family violence protection order or stalking protection order issued after the abuser received notice of the case and had a chance to participate in a hearing; or
- an ex parte, temporary family violence protection order or stalking order but only if you also have a police report related to the abuse.2
A criminal family violence order or stalking order includes:
- a pretrial order of release issued after an arrest for family violence or stalking; or
- a probation order issued after a conviction for family violence or stalking.3
1 Ga. Code § 44-7-23(b)
2 Ga. Code § 44-7-23(a)(1), (a)(2)
3 Ga. Code § 44-7-23(a)(3), (a)(4)
