Early Termination (abandonment) of Apartment Prior to End of Lease in Duluth, GA

[Karin L Mahmoodi]

Does anyone have suggestions of how I should proceed?  1 year lease for an apartment to a single woman with a dog in Duluth, GA.  Lease term is Dec 1, 2023 thru Dec 31, 2024.  On November 15, 2024 she complained about dampness/mold in apartment for the first time.  We walked the apartment and found some gaps behind the bath vanity (that may have bringing dampness from crawlspace).  We sealed the holes with spray foam and wiped vanity down with a bleach solution on Nov 21st.  Told her to let us know if that helped.  There were no signs of mold that we could identify.

On November 26th tenant sent an email saying the apartment was unlivable and she was moving out on Dec 1st.  I offered her another apartment that is ready to move into, but received no response.  She verified vacating the apartment on Dec 1st and shut off the electricity on Dec 3rd.   I want hold her responsible for the terms of her lease (Dec rent, electric, damages, etc...).  How do I proceed with securing my property and still hold her responsible?  I am assuming I can not enter apartment or change locks until Jan 1st.  Thank you for any advice.