Owning real estate is a good investment, particularly if you can rent out the space to bring in income. However, being a landlord in Georgia, or anywhere for that matter, is not an easy job. There is a lot of responsibility that comes with that role and, as things stand right now, not as many protections as you might expect.
Disputes common
Landlord-tenant disputes are unfortunately common. When a landlord and a tenant fail to see eye-to-eye on something, it can take some work, but things can usually be worked out. Common disputes seen by landlords include:
- Missed or late rent payments
- Complaints about property maintenance and conditions
- Lease compliance issues
- Lease termination
A lot of these issues can be dealt with by making sure a lease agreement is well written. When entering a contract with a tenant, it is not a good time to depend on Google to print out a standard lease agreement. These supposed one-size-fits-all documents are not likely going to be state-specific or contain all the protection you need for yourself. The only way to get a contract that meets all your needs is to have legal counsel draw one up for you.
How things are different right now
As it currently stands, there is an eviction moratorium that prevents — or at least makes it extremely difficult — for landlords to evict tenants who have broken contract terms. This is supposed to end soon, but it has certainly made being a landlord an even tougher job than usual. If this has affected you, legal counsel may be able to help you find a workaround to your problem.
Get help
Landlords in Georgia do not have to do everything on their own. Legal counsel is available to help them protect themselves and their properties. Many disputes can be settled through out-of-court negotiations, but if necessary, legal counsel can help one prepare to take a dispute to court if it seems in one’s best benefit. To learn more about landlord-tenant disputes and how an experienced attorney can be of assistance, please take a moment and visit our firm’s website.