Metro Atlanta Renter Faces Rats, Sewage, No Heat as Georgia Tenant Law Falls Short

Kendrea Bills' apartment has no functioning heat, rat damage, and a sewage leak, highlighting gaps in Georgia's renter protections.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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A metro Atlanta renter named Kendrea Bills says her apartment has rats eating the floorboards, sewage spewing fecal matter in the backyard, and no heat as winter continues in Georgia. Bills has sought help from courts, legal aid, and code enforcement, but the issues remain unresolved. Georgia's "Safe at Home Act" passed in 2024 requires landlords to keep utilities working, but does not define what "habitable" conditions mean, leaving interpretation up to the courts.

Why it matters

Bills' situation reflects similar stories across metro Atlanta, where a gap in renters' rights law in Georgia is leaving families to prove their cases in court. The vague language of the "Safe at Home Act" has allowed landlords, especially large corporations, to treat fines and citations as the "cost of doing business" without making necessary repairs.

The details

Bills moved into her Decatur, Georgia apartment in fall 2025 after leaving a domestic violence shelter. She says the unit has no functioning heat, rat damage to floors confirmed by an exterminator, and a sewage leak. Bills has emailed management multiple repair requests, but management claims they were unaware of all the issues and are making repairs. An exterminator visited and a maintenance worker provided a space heater, but the problems persist. During a recent winter storm, pipes burst and water ran for weeks, with multiple vacant apartments in the 149-unit complex also having water damage and disrepair.

  • Bills moved into the apartment in fall 2025.
  • In January 2026, a legal aid attorney sent a demand letter for repairs to management.
  • In February 2026, code enforcement told Bills an investigation could take a month.

The players

Kendrea Bills

A metro Atlanta renter whose apartment has rats, sewage, and no heat.

Georgia's "Safe at Home Act"

A 2024 law that requires landlords to keep utilities working, but does not define "habitable" conditions.

State Rep. Terry Cummings

A Georgia state representative who introduced HB 725 to define "habitable" conditions, but the bill has not received a hearing.

Mableton Mayor Michael Owens

The mayor of Mableton, Georgia, who said the state law fell short and the city passed its own housing ordinance to define habitable conditions.

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What they’re saying

“It is so hard. I go down to the court and they're the ones who directed me to legal aid and code enforcement, and so now we're doing a circle.”

— Kendrea Bills (Atlanta News First)

“In order to get the bill passed, it was intentional to leave that out. When it's vague, each court has to decide. So, it's open to interpretation.”

— State Rep. Terry Cummings, D-Mableton (Atlanta News First)

“A lot of times landlords and especially large corporations will take these fines and citations as the cost of doing business. They factor that into their operating model. With this ordinance, they will not be able to do that.”

— Mableton Mayor Michael Owens (Atlanta News First)

What’s next

HB 725, which would define "habitable" conditions, must receive a vote by crossover day on March 6, 2026. Another bill, HB 1171, was also introduced in February 2026 to define habitability, but has not yet received a hearing.

The takeaway

This case highlights the need for stronger tenant protections in Georgia, where vague laws have allowed landlords, especially large corporations, to neglect basic living conditions without facing meaningful consequences. The plight of renters like Kendrea Bills underscores the importance of clear, enforceable standards for habitable housing.