Posted Rates for Landlords in Georgia

The fees below are subject to change without notice.  Also, the Firm offers lower hour rates for established clients.

Initial Consultation (first office visit only) - Residential - $170/hour

Initial Consultation (first office visit only) - Commercial - $350/hour

Review leases - $350/hour

Draft a pay or quit notice (each notice) - $200 + postage

Draft dispossessory affidavit for failure to pay rent - $200 + filing fees and service

Draft dispossessory affidavit on hold over - $175/hour + filing fees and service

Draft dispossessory affidavit on tenant at sufferance - $300/hour + filing fees and service

Preparation for case - $350 for one hour and $300/hour for each hour thereafter

Copies, parking, transportation are charge to the courthouse and meeting

Trial date residential -  $600 first two hours and $275/hour for each hour thereafter

Trial date commercial - $350/hour

Obtain writ - $175 plus court and sheriff/marshal fee (transportation fee may apply)

Appear on day of eviction - $280/hour

Landlord is responsible for all expenses in the case.
Phone calls, e-mails, texts - $300/hr.
Any activity not listed above $350/hr.

APPEALS (STATE OR SUPERIOR)

$350/hr. with a $3,500 retainer
Plus expenses

REMOVALS TO FEDERAL COURT

$300/hr with a $3,000 initial retainer
Plus expenses

The Firm does not handle cases that are in bankruptcy.

APPEALS (APPELLATE OR SUPREME)
$350/hour plus copies and postage

Georgia Renters - Prepare for a Hurricane with a Review of Your Lease and Renter's Insurance

Georgia renters, while you prepare for the hurricane, pull your lease and renter's insurance policy. If you have to evacuate, take these documents with you or scan the documents and e-mail them to yourself. If your rental unit gets flooded or damaged by wind or heavy rains, your initial contractual rights can be reviewed. LEASES Many leases allow the landlord to terminate the lease if the unit is destroyed by natural disasters (force majeure). Also, partial destruction of the rental unit may not relieve you of your obligation to make timely payments. Remember, any changes to written leases, including termination and the amount of rent or timing of rent must be in writing and signed by both parties. Otherwise, the agreement may not be enforceable. If you don't understand your rights, check with an experienced landlord-tenant attorney. Simply withholding rent because you cannot get back into your apartment or rental house may result in a dispossessory. The court action and the eviction will haunt you for years to come when it shows up on record searches and your credit report. Therefore, it's better to be proactive than reactive. RENTER'S INSURANCE Renter's insurance doesn't cover floods. However, if you can prove the items were damaged by some other cause, you may have a significant claim. Moreover, the insurance policy may cover hotel charges and other expenses even if it doesn't reimburse you for flood damaged items. One you return to your unit and review the damages, call your agent to discuss your coverage.

Suggestions for Renters -- Apartments and Houses

For those who lease, before you move into your next apartment or rental house, think about following these suggestions:

(1) inspect the premises before you pay your security deposit;

(2) if you cannot inspect the premises before paying the deposit, demand clear provisions for a deposit refund for uninhabitable conditions;

(3) demand a copy of the lease before the move in date or if possible before placing the deposit;

(4) read the lease completely before signing it to ensure you understand the terms and conditions;

(5) if the landlord has made a promise that is not in the lease, demand that it be included in the lease with a date certain for compliance;

(6) request an inspection of the premises before you sign the lease;

(7) if your budget allows, have 15-30 days between the first day of the lease and the furniture move in date to cure any problems;

(8) make sure everything is working during that 15-30 day move in gap; and

(9) make sure you follow the law regarding the move-in inspection timeline.