What Still Applies Without a State Requirement
A lease can promise interest even where no statute requires it, so check the deposit section of the lease. If the landlord holds the deposit in an interest-bearing account, the lease and the state's deposit rules may say who gets that interest.
The larger figure in most cases is not the interest at all. A deposit held for several years is money the tenant cannot invest or spend, and the calculator above shows that opportunity cost alongside any interest — which is usually the more revealing of the two numbers in a state with no requirement.
How Georgia Compares to Nearby States
Deposit interest is one of the sharpest state-line differences in residential tenancy: neighboring states frequently land on opposite sides of it.
The full picture across all 51 jurisdictions is on the deposit interest by state index.
Common Questions About Georgia Deposit Interest
Does my landlord have to pay interest on my security deposit in Georgia?
As of September 11, 2026, we did not find a statewide requirement in Georgia. Fourteen jurisdictions on our index have one. A city ordinance or a term in the lease can still provide interest, so check both. Laws change, so confirm the current rules.
Which states do require security deposit interest?
As of September 11, 2026, our index lists fourteen: Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio and Pennsylvania. Several apply only in some cases, such as by building size or how long the deposit is held. The index links each statute.
What does a held security deposit actually cost me in Georgia?
The interest is usually the smaller number. A deposit is money that cannot be invested or spent while the landlord holds it, and over a multi-year tenancy that opportunity cost is typically larger than any interest a statute would have produced. The calculator on this page shows both figures side by side.
Can a lease in Georgia promise deposit interest anyway?
Yes, a lease can include a deposit interest term even where no statute requires one. If it does, the lease sets the rate and when it is paid.