Georgia is well known for policies that favor landlords over renters. Advocates for increased tenants’ rights are most concerned about habitability issues, unabated rent increases, and eviction matters, including the lack of an opportunity to cure the eviction before trial and nonrenewal of leases without cause. Advocates point to the American Bar Association’s newly adopted “Ten Guidelines for Residential Eviction Laws” as an example of needed eviction protections.    

 

While tenants have had concerns with these issues for decades, a relatively new issue has developed since the Great Recession of the mid-2000s – equity investor involvement in the single-family rental sector. Previous Housing Forum guest Desiree Fields of UC Berkeley shares in her recent report that Sunbelt cities with weak tenant protections are preferred locations for investors to grow their portfolios. Metro Atlanta is the leading target of investors for this activity.  Her report recommends “nationwide, broad-based tenant protections to limit rent increases, ancillary fees, and fines and to promote security of tenure. The property rights of landlords should not take priority over the fundamental role of housing in supporting life, safety, and welfare.”

 

At the next Atlanta Regional Housing Forum, we will discuss Georgia’s tenants’ rights. What is the scope of the issue? What tenants’ rights currently exist in Georgia, and what protections are noticeably absent? Lastly, what efforts are needed to protect renters and ensure safe, affordable, and sustainable rental opportunities?

 

In addition to our conversation on tenants’ rights, the Forum will provide attendees with several initiative updates and an overview of recent affordable housing development.

 

Register Now: Join us Wednesday, August 31, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m. at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 435 Peachtree St NE, Atlanta, Georgia 30308. Free parking is available in the pay lot directly across the street from St. Luke’s.

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