No landlord wants to evict, but when rent stops coming, knowing Georgia’s process cold is what protects you. Georgia — including metro Atlanta — has a specific legal path called a dispossessory, and skipping a step can send you back to square one.

Step 1: Demand possession

Before you can file, you must demand that the tenant pay or leave. A dated written demand protects you and is effectively required before filing. Many Atlanta leases spell out a notice period — follow whatever your lease says.

Step 2: File the dispossessory affidavit

If the tenant doesn’t comply, you file a dispossessory affidavit at the county magistrate court (Fulton, DeKalb, Cobb, and so on). The court issues a summons that’s served on the tenant. Never change the locks, shut off utilities, or remove belongings yourself — “self-help” eviction is illegal in Georgia and can make you liable.

Step 3: The tenant’s answer and the hearing

The tenant has seven days to answer. No answer, and you can request a default judgment. If they answer, the court sets a hearing. For nonpayment, a tenant can usually stop the eviction by paying everything owed within seven days of being served — but only once in a 12-month period.

Step 4: The writ of possession

If you win, the court issues a writ of possession. After a short waiting period, the sheriff or marshal — not you — can remove the tenant. Only then do you regain the unit. Start to finish, expect a few weeks to a couple of months in metro Atlanta, depending on the county’s docket.

How long does an eviction take in Georgia?

Usually three to eight weeks from filing, depending on the county and whether the tenant contests it. Backed-up Atlanta-metro courts can push it longer.

Can I just change the locks if they stop paying?

No. Self-help eviction — locks, utilities, or removing property — is illegal in Georgia and can expose you to serious damages. Everything goes through the magistrate court.

The best eviction is the one you never file — which starts with great screening. See how to screen tenants in Georgia. If you’d rather never handle a dispossessory yourself, My Way Realty’s property management — half the first month’s rent to place a tenant, then 7% monthly — coordinates the whole process. Get in touch, or weigh the tradeoffs in our Section 8 guide.

This is general information, not legal advice — for your situation, consult a Georgia landlord-tenant attorney.