Georgia — Property Management — Georgia Real Estate — State Law Practice Test

This Georgia Real Estate — State Law Georgia — Property Management practice set has 10 practice questions based on the official exam materials, each with an instant explanation.

Sample questions

Three questions from the Georgia — Property Management bank with the correct answer and an explanation. The practice quiz above draws 10 questions at random from the same bank.

1. Under Georgia's security-deposit law, how must a landlord who owns rental property hold a tenant's security deposit?

   • In a separate escrow account used only for security deposits (or post a surety bond), with notice to the tenant of where it is held — Correct answer
   • Mixed together with the landlord's personal operating funds in any account
   • Sent to the Georgia Real Estate Commission to hold during the lease
   • Spent immediately on the property, since the deposit belongs to the landlord

   Explanation: O.C.G.A. §44-7-31 requires a landlord to place the security deposit in an escrow account used only for that purpose, in a state- or federally-regulated depository, and to inform the tenant where it is held. (Alternatively the landlord may post a surety bond.) Commingling the deposit with the landlord's own funds is prohibited. Escrow account（托管账户 / cuenta de depósito en garantía）: a separate account holding money in trust, not mixed with the holder's own funds. Source: O.C.G.A. §44-7-31.

   Handbook: Georgia Property Management — security deposit held in escrow (O.C.G.A. §44-7-31)

2. Before collecting a security deposit, what must a Georgia landlord subject to the security-deposit statute give the tenant regarding the unit's condition?

   • A written move-in list of existing damage, with a second itemized list prepared at move-out — Correct answer
   • Only an oral walk-through, since Georgia requires nothing in writing
   • A copy of the landlord's federal income-tax return for the property
   • A signed waiver giving up the tenant's right to ever dispute deductions

   Explanation: O.C.G.A. §44-7-33 requires the landlord to give the tenant a written list of existing damage (a move-in condition list) before accepting a security deposit; the tenant may inspect and note disagreements. At move-out the landlord must prepare a second itemized list of any new damage within three business days. Failure to provide the move-in list bars the landlord from retaining any of the deposit for damages. Move-in condition list（入住状况清单 / lista de condición de entrada）: a written inventory of the unit's existing damage given before the deposit is paid. Source: O.C.G.A. §44-7-33.

   Handbook: Georgia Property Management — move-in & move-out condition lists (O.C.G.A. §44-7-33)

3. After a Georgia tenant moves out, how soon must the landlord return the security deposit (or deliver a statement of any deductions)?

   • Within one month (30 days) after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates — Correct answer
   • Within 24 hours of the tenant handing back the keys
   • Within six months, at the landlord's convenience
   • Only after the tenant files a lawsuit demanding it back

   Explanation: O.C.G.A. §44-7-34 requires the landlord to return the deposit, or deliver a written statement itemizing any amounts kept for damage, within one month (30 days) after the tenancy ends and the tenant vacates. The tenant then has the chance to dispute the listed deductions. One month / 30 days（一个月 / un mes）: the Georgia statutory deadline to return a deposit or itemize deductions. Source: O.C.G.A. §44-7-34.

   Handbook: Georgia Property Management — deposit return within one month (O.C.G.A. §44-7-34)