The Georgia sublease agreement is a legal contract that allows a tenant to rent out all or a portion of the property to a subtenant in exchange for regular payments.
Does a Tenant Need the Landlord’s Permission to Sublet in Georgia?
In Georgia, a tenant does need a landlord’s explicit written permission to sublet. Even after permission is given, a landlord still has the right to reject a subtenant if they are unqualified, such as for having a low credit score or poor work history.
Standardized Georgia Sublease Agreements
Here’s what is generally included in a Georgia sublease agreement:
- The Names of the Parties – The original tenant under the lease is named in the sublease and is called the “Sublessor.” The third-party that is subleasing the rental unit is named in the sublease and is called the “Sublessee.”
- Rental Unit Location – The address for the rental unit as described in the original lease.
- Term – State the exact date of the sublease beginning and ending date.
- Rent – How much the rent is, when it needs to be paid, and how to pay it.
- Security Deposit – This security deposit is held by the Sublessor (not the landlord). There is no limit on how much a landlord can collect for a security deposit in Georgia.
- Return of Security Deposit – Georgia landlords have 30 days to return any unused portion of the security deposit after the tenant vacates the rental unit.
- Utilities – The utilities to be paid by the Sublessor and those that are to be paid by the Sublessee.
- General Conditions – A statement that the written sublease agreement contains all of the agreements between the parties and can only be modified by written consent of the parties to the agreement.
- Liability – The sublessee will be liable for any damages to the Sublessor. The Sublessor is responsible for paying for any damages that impact the landlord as stated in the original lease agreement.
- Authorized Occupants – This identifies the new tenant(s) and those authorized to live in the rental unit including any policy about short-term guests.
- Inventory of Included Items – The list of items in the rental unit that are part of the sublease (furniture or appliances).
- Lead-Based Paint Notice – Under Federal law, if the rental unit’s premises were built before 1978, the Sublessee must be given a written warning notice, called a Lead-Based Paint Disclosure.
- Master Lease Inclusion – A copy of the Master Lease is attached to the sublease. If any exceptions in the Master Lease are not included they should be clearly stated in this section.
- Disputes – A description of how disputes between the Sublessor and Sublessee are to be settled, which may include mediation and binding arbitration to avoid more expensive legal proceedings.
- Smoking Policy – Georgia law permits the designation of a property as a non-smoking area. If smoking is restricted in the rental unit, any designated smoking areas are identified in the sublease.
- Parking Policy – A description of the permitted area the subtenant(s) and their guests may park, including any additional fees.
- Landlord’s Consent – This section describes how the landlord is asked for permission (if permission is not already included in the Master Lease). Tenants may create a signed sublease that is conditional on being accepted by the landlord before the sublease becomes effective.
- Signature: The signature and date for the Sublessor, the Sublessee, any Co-Sublessors, and Co-Sublessees (if they exist).
Tax Implications of a Sublease
A sublessor in Georgia may be subject to state and local taxes if they sublet a property for less than 90 days, including:
- State sales tax – 4%
- County/local sales tax – 2% – 5% (varies by location)
- Local occupancy tax – 0% – 8% (varies by location)
