Hall County, Georgia: Where to File a Security Deposit Claim and What It Costs
Listed court is Hall County Magistrate Court in Gainesville. Check venue on the court's official page or with the clerk. Filing fee: see the fee table. Claims up to $15,000. Georgia return time: 30 days. ACS two-bedroom rent: $1,182. Enter your dates below and send the dated letter first.
| Court listed | Hall County Magistrate Court |
|---|---|
| City | Gainesville |
| County filing fee | Roughly $45-$55 range typical for GA magistrate courts (exact Hall County figure not confirmed); eFile Georgia adds a convenience fee on top |
| E-filing | Yes, see filing page |
| Small claims limit | $15,000 (statewide) |
| State deposit return deadline |
|
| Time limit to sue | 4 years |
| Deposit statute | O.C.G.A. §§ 44-7-30 through 44-7-37 (Article 2, Chapter 7, Title 44) |
Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk.
Details
Limits: $15,000 (statewide).
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Details of the return rules
| When it applies | Deadline | Starts from |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit return | 30 days | after the landlord obtains possession of the premises following termination of the tenancy (move-out) |
Georgia return rule: 30 days. Check the dates you entered above.
Court listed for this county: Hall County Magistrate Court. Check venue on the official court page or with the clerk.
Free dated DOCX by email. Print-ready state PDF kit: $29. Letter preparation and mailing: $49.
Who do you name in the claim?
Find and compare the legal names
Find and compare the legal names in these records:
- The lease: the Landlord or Owner line and who signed.
- The deposit receipt or the account your rent went to.
- The owner of record in the property records of Hall County.
- The Georgia business registry for an LLC or management company: its exact legal name and registered agent. Georgia Secretary of State
A registered agent receives court papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
This page shows where the names are recorded; it does not decide who is legally liable.
What to bring to the clerk
- Your lease.
- Deposit receipt or payment record.
- The demand letter and proof of delivery.
- Move-out photos and an inventory or condition report.
Is it worth filing here?
Illustration: a deposit equal to one month's ACS median gross rent (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates) for a home in Hall County. This is calculated from rent, not measured deposits. The statutory amount requires the rule's conditions.
| Bedrooms | Deposit owed | Statutory amount | Total illustration | Limit check |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $1,120 | $2,240 | $3,360 | Fits under the $15,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 2 | $1,182 | $2,364 | $3,546 | Fits under the $15,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 3 | $1,386 | $2,772 | $4,158 | Fits under the $15,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
| 4 | $1,749 | $3,498 | $5,247 | Fits under the $15,000 limit for this illustrated claim |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates, tables B25064, B25031, B25003, B25070; accessed 2026-09-21. Penalty rule.
How does Hall County compare with other Georgia counties?
The two-bedroom median gross rent is $1,182: rank 17 of 155 counties with this metric in U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2019-2023 5-Year Estimates. 31.1% of households rent in Hall County.
| County | Median gross rent |
|---|---|
| Columbia County | $1,251 |
| Clayton County | $1,245 |
| Hall County | $1,182 |
| Newton County | $1,153 |
| Clarke County | $1,151 |
| Morgan County | $1,128 |
Ranking uses the same ACS metric and period within this state; ties share a rank. Coverage is 155 of 159 listed counties. Census source.
Places in Hall County
- Braselton
- Buford
- Clermont
- Flowery Branch
- Gainesville
- Gillsville
- Lula
- Oakwood
- Rest Haven
These are Census places in the county. Check the rental's address with the clerk to find the court.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census place-to-county relationship file
Free legal help
- Georgia Legal Services Program: free civil legal help for low-income tenants in 154 Georgia counties outside metro Atlanta (does not serve Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Fulton, or Gwinnett), including eviction defense, repairs, and subsidized-housing issues
- Urban League of Greater Atlanta: HUD-approved rental counseling to locate affordable rental housing, understand fair-housing rights, resolve landlord-tenant disputes, and report unsafe building conditions
FAQ
How much does it cost to file in Hall County?
County filing fee: Roughly $45-$55 range typical for GA magistrate courts (exact Hall County figure not confirmed); eFile Georgia adds a convenience fee on top.
Where do I file a deposit claim in Hall County?
Hall County Magistrate Court is listed. Some counties have more than one small claims court, and venue rules differ by state; check which court hears your claim on the court's official page or with the clerk. Court page
Who should I name in the claim?
Compare the legal names on the lease, deposit receipt, property records and business registry. A registered agent receives papers for a company; it is not the defendant.
What should I bring to the clerk?
Bring your lease, deposit receipt, demand letter, proof of delivery, photos and any move-out inventory.