Do this today
- Keep the paper. Photograph every page.
- Write the date, time, and how it arrived.
- Look for Fulton or DeKalb magistrate court — confirm the county, a case number, or an appearance date.
- If a court is named, call legal aid the same day. Do not guess the deadline.
What were you handed?
| The paper | What it usually is | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord notice | A step before a court case. Not a judgment, and not a lockout. | Date it. Keep the original. Write down how it arrived. Check whether it offers a chance to fix the problem. |
| Court papers | A case has been filed. A court name, case number, or appearance date is running. | Call legal aid the same day. Do not ignore it. Bring the papers and a timeline of how you received them. |
| Lockout or shutoff | Locks changed, belongings moved, or utilities cut on an occupied unit. | Call 211 and legal aid today. In most states a landlord may not do this personally. Police non-emergency can document it. |
Is a notice in Atlanta the same as being evicted?
No. A written landlord notice is a step. Fulton or DeKalb magistrate court — confirm the county is where a possession case is heard. Papers that name a court, a case number, or an appearance date mean a case has been filed — that is same-day legal-aid work. Check the county of the unit before you file or answer. Atlanta is not a single-court city.
What should I be careful not to do?
Do not ignore court papers. Do not assume a lockout is lawful because a notice looks official. Do not sign a move-out or cash-for-keys paper you have not read with an advocate. Atlanta 311 is not a substitute for legal aid once a case is filed.
Does Atlanta have local renter ordinances on top of Georgia law?
Georgia law is the tenancy baseline. Atlanta Code Enforcement and 311 are the City conditions doors. Fulton or DeKalb County Magistrate Court hears many dispossessory cases — confirm the county of the unit. A DeKalb process is not a Fulton process.
The Atlanta layer
Check the county of the unit before you file or answer. Atlanta is not a single-court city.
Georgia landlord and tenant provisions (Ga. Code §§ 44-7-1 to 44-7-81) is the Georgia floor. We name it. We do not paraphrase a day-count or a dollar cap out of it.
Atlanta questions
Can my landlord in Atlanta evict me without going to court?
No. Changing locks or shutting off utilities is not how possession is completed. Fulton or DeKalb magistrate court — confirm the county is the court. If the paper names it, call legal aid the same day.
How long does an eviction notice last in Atlanta?
That number is in Georgia landlord and tenant provisions, and it can depend on the reason, the housing type, and any local ordinance. This site does not reprint it. Open the chapter or call legal aid with the paper in your hand.
Does Atlanta have local renter ordinances on top of Georgia law?
Georgia law is the tenancy baseline. Atlanta Code Enforcement and 311 are the City conditions doors. Fulton or DeKalb County Magistrate Court hears many dispossessory cases — confirm the county of the unit. A DeKalb process is not a Fulton process.
What number should I call in Atlanta?
Danger: 911. Mental-health crisis: 988. City services: 311. Court papers: LawHelp.org the same day. Atlanta 311 does not replace legal aid when a case is filed.
National answers on this desk
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org