Georgia – HB 399

Georgia House Bill 399 (HB 399) was enacted in 2025 to enhance tenant-landlord communication by mandating that certain residential landlords maintain in-state staff to manage tenant communications. The law became effective on July 1, 2025.LegiScan+4LegiScan+4trackbill.com+4

Overview of HB 399

HB 399 amends Article 1 of Chapter 7 of Title 44 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to landlords and tenants in general. The bill requires certain residential landlords to have in-state staff to manage tenant communications related to such properties. This measure aims to ensure that tenants have accessible and responsive points of contact within Georgia for issues concerning their rental properties.LegiScan+4LegiScan+4trackbill.com+4

Legislative Journey

Introduced on February 11, 2025, HB 399 progressed through the legislative process with bipartisan support. The House passed the bill on March 3, 2025, with a vote of 163-4. The Senate approved it on April 4, 2025, with a vote of 41-9. The House agreed to the Senate’s amendments on the same day. The bill was sent to the Governor on April 10, 2025, and became effective on July 1, 2025.LegiScan+2trackbill.com+2LegiScan+2LegiScan+2LegiScan+2trackbill.com+2

Implications for Landlords and Tenants

Landlords are now required to have in-state staff to handle tenant communications. This change is expected to improve the responsiveness and effectiveness of landlord-tenant interactions, particularly for maintenance requests, lease inquiries, and dispute resolutions. Tenants can anticipate more timely and accessible communication channels, enhancing their overall rental experience.LegiScan+4trackbill.com+4LegiScan+4

For landlords, especially those operating from out-of-state, this law necessitates adjustments to their property management strategies to comply with the in-state staffing requirement. Failure to adhere to this mandate could result in legal consequences and affect their ability to operate rental properties within Georgia.

Conclusion

Georgia’s HB 399 represents a significant step toward strengthening tenant rights and ensuring effective communication between landlords and tenants. By mandating in-state staff for managing tenant communications, the law seeks to foster a more responsive and accountable rental housing environment across the state.