A former tenant or guest is still there
A stay that began with permission — a lease, a guest arrangement, or a short-term booking — can raise different questions than an entry without permission. The applicable process may depend on the facts.
The important question
Was the original stay a tenancy, a guest arrangement, or a short-term booking, and what changed after the authorized period?
Facts that may matter
The original agreement; how long they were authorized to stay; payments; checkout or end dates; communications after that date; mail or utilities; and whether the current occupant is the original person.
What not to assume
A stay that began with permission is not automatically the same as unauthorized entry. A short-term or guest label does not automatically determine legal possession. Lease expiration does not automatically make someone a squatter.
What to document
Booking or lease records, payment records, checkout or end dates, and messages about remaining.
What not to do
Do not use self-help to remove a person who arrived as a guest or tenant without first understanding the applicable legal process.
Where to go next
Georgia sources (Georgia-specific; other states vary) · All states · STR guest-overstay case · Short-term rentals · Protect my property
When professional help may be appropriate
If the original arrangement and the current occupancy do not match, a licensed attorney in the relevant jurisdiction can evaluate the facts. This site does not determine the occupancy category.
Related: Lease Expired but Occupant Remains · Airbnb or Short-Term Rental Guest Won't Leave · Tenant Moved Out but Adult Child Remains