Cal. Civ. Code § 44-7-31
Placement of security deposit in trust in escrow account; notice to tenant of account location.
Operative Text
Except as provided in Code Section 44-7-32, whenever a security deposit is held by a landlord or such landlord’s agent on behalf of a tenant, such security deposit shall be deposited in an escrow account established only for that purpose in any bank or lending institution subject to regulation by this state or any agency of the United States government. The security deposit shall be held in trust for the tenant by the landlord or such landlord’s agent except as provided in Code Section 44-7-34. Tenants shall be informed in writing of the location of the escrow account required by this Code section.
Under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-31, when a landlord or their agent holds a security deposit on a tenant's behalf, that money must be placed in a dedicated escrow account at a state- or federally regulated bank or lending institution. The funds are held in trust for the tenant, meaning they are not the landlord's money to use freely. Tenants must also receive written notice identifying where that escrow account is located, with limited exceptions addressed in related code sections.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to O.C.G.A. § 44-7-31 generally maintain a separate escrow account used exclusively for security deposits at a qualifying bank or lending institution regulated by Georgia or a federal agency. Compliant landlords provide each tenant with written documentation identifying the specific account where their deposit is held. Keeping the escrow account segregated from operating funds and documenting the written notice to tenants are standard practices under this provision.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-31, your security deposit must be held in a dedicated escrow account at a regulated financial institution, and your landlord is required to inform you in writing of that account's location. If you did not receive written notice of the escrow account, that may be relevant to any dispute over the return of your deposit. Tenants who believe this provision has not been followed can consult a tenant-rights organization, review related provisions such as O.C.G.A. § 44-7-34, or explore available remedies through Georgia's court system.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 28, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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