If you’re an out-of-state landlord with rental property in Georgia, a new law may significantly affect how you manage your properties. Effective July 1, 2025, Georgia law imposes stricter requirements on non-resident landlords who own or operate residential single-family or duplex rental properties.
What is Georgia’s New Law for Non-Resident Landlords?
The new residential landlord law in Georgia for non-resident landlords requires that any out-of-state landlord of single-family or duplex residential rental properties must engage a Georgia-licensed real estate broker to manage those properties. If the broker resides outside Georgia, they are required to employ at least one Georgia resident who complies with licensure standards under Georgia law.
What Landlords Need to Know
- Licensed Broker Now Required
Non-resident landlords are required to retain a licensed broker to manage their residential rental properties in Georgia. Self-management is no longer an option, even for those who previously qualified for an exemption.
- In-State Presence Required
Suppose the broker is not a resident of Georgia. In that case, the broker must employ at least one person located within the state who is responsible for receiving, coordinating, managing, and responding to communications from tenants regarding maintenance and other property-related issues.
Elimination of Prior Exemptions
The new law also eliminates key exemptions that previously allowed certain owners and employees to operate without a broker’s license.
Accordingly, out-of-state landlords can no longer rely on the following exemptions to avoid Georgia’s broker licensing requirement:
- Owners who manage their own properties, including those who provide property management or community association management services, or otherwise lease, sell, or deal with their own property
- Full-time employees of community associations who perform management services on behalf of non-resident landlords.
Essentially, non-resident landlords can no longer rely on their ownership status or their full-time staff to bypass the broker licensing requirement.
What Should Out-of-State Landlords Do Now?
Non-resident landlords should:
- Review your current property management arrangements to ensure compliance;
- Engage a Georgia-licensed broker, if you have not already; and
- Ensure a Georgia-based contact is designated to receive and manage tenant communications.
How an Attorney Can Help
If you own rental property in Georgia but live elsewhere, navigating the state’s new landlord requirements can be overwhelming. Whether you’ve recently acquired rental property in Georgia or have managed out-of-state property for years, understanding and complying with the latest requirements is essential to avoid legal exposure.
Call us today at 678-882-0830 to schedule a consultation with one of our experienced Georgia real estate attorneys. Let us help you protect your investment and ensure compliance with the law.
