What should be used if unable to serve dispossessory summons personally or to a resident?

When unable to serve a dispossessory summons personally or to a resident, the appropriate method is to use posting. This process involves affixing the summons to a conspicuous location on the property, typically the front door. Posting serves as a legal means to notify the tenant of the legal action being taken against them when personal service cannot be accomplished.

In the context of dispossessory actions, it is essential that the tenant is made aware of the proceedings, and posting provides a clear and visible method of doing so. This method is standardized in many jurisdictions, including Georgia, as a way to ensure that the summons is reasonably brought to the attention of the tenant even if personal service or service to a resident at the location is not possible.

In contrast, the other options do not fulfill the requirements set forth by the legal process for serving a summons. Forfeiture is a legal outcome rather than a means of service, electronic notice may not be permissible under Georgia law for dispossessory proceedings, and courier service, while it may be an option for other types of documents, does not replace the need for either personal service or the specific procedure of posting in this situation. Thus, posting is the required and correct approach for serving a dispossessory