Cal. Civ. Code § 44-7-73
When tender of payment by tenant serves as complete defense.
Operative Text
In an action for nonpayment of rent, the tenant shall be allowed to tender to the landlord, within seven days of the day the tenant was served with the summons pursuant to Code Section 44-7-72, all rents allegedly owed plus the cost of the distress warrant. Such a tender shall be a complete defense to the action.
Under O.C.G.A. § 44-7-73, when a landlord brings a dispossessory action based on nonpayment of rent, the tenant has a seven-day window after being served with the summons to pay all rent claimed to be owed plus the cost of the distress warrant. If the tenant makes that full payment within the allotted time, it operates as a complete defense, meaning the action cannot proceed against the tenant. This provision creates a statutory cure right tied specifically to the service of the summons under § 44-7-72.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Landlords and property managers pursuing a nonpayment dispossessory action in Georgia should be aware that O.C.G.A. § 44-7-73 gives tenants a seven-day period after summons service to pay all allegedly owed rent plus distress warrant costs. A compliant operator typically keeps accurate records of all amounts owed and distress warrant costs so that any tender can be verified as complete and timely. If a valid tender is made within that window, the action is fully resolved by operation of law, and operators generally account for this possibility when planning their collections process.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
O.C.G.A. § 44-7-73 provides tenants facing a nonpayment dispossessory action with a meaningful opportunity to resolve the matter: within seven days of being served with the summons under § 44-7-72, a tenant may pay all rent claimed to be owed plus the distress warrant costs, and that payment constitutes a complete defense to the action. Tenants who believe they have made a qualifying tender, or who have questions about what amounts are owed, may benefit from contacting a local tenant-rights organization or legal aid office for general guidance. Keeping documentation of any payment made during this period — such as receipts or money order stubs — is a practice commonly associated with asserting this defense.
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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