Does your landlord legally have to provide AC and heat in GA? What the law says
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Summers in Georgia can get unbearable, with temperatures often soaring into the low 100s. And although winters can be mild in Georgia, it can still get icy from time to time.
With that said, cooling and warming your home can get difficult and expensive. But what if your rental doesn’t have AC or heat? Is that even legal? Here’s what to know:
Does your landlord legally have to provide AC and heat in GA?
All in all, your landlord does not legally have to provide renters with AC and heat. The law gets pretty murky with this because it states that landlords must provide renters with a place “fit for habitation and free from health and safety risks,” but providing AC and heat is technically not mentioned by law.
However, your landlord must keep units in good condition if they already have provided them as part of your lease. The Georgia Tenant-Landlord Handbook states landlords must “keep electric, heating, cooling, and plumbing in working order.”
What landlords have to provide
According to the Georgia “Safe Home Act” that was made into law in July 2024, there is a “minimum ‘duty of habitability’ that requires landlords and property owners to provide tenants with rental housing that is sufficient for habitation and free from health and safety risks.”
Georgia is one of the last states to have passed this law and while it still doesn’t require landlords to give renters AC and heat, it does require them to do the following:
- The landlord is responsible for maintaining the building structure
- They must keep the electric and plumbing systems in running order.
- The landlord is also responsible for repairing any appliances included in the rental unit.
- A landlord is responsible for meeting all local ordinances and minimum safety standards.
What other questions do you have? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
