Ohio landlord-tenant law FAQ
26 answers to common Ohio landlord questions. Every answer is a verified fact with its official source and last-checked date.
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Ohio?
Ohio's landlord-tenant law (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (§§ 5321.01–5321.20), read in full on 2026-10-15) sets no cap on security deposits; the lease terms control.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (§§ 5321.01–5321.20) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full security deposit limit page
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Ohio?
Itemized written notice of deductions plus any amount due within 30 days after the rental agreement ends and possession is returned. The tenant must give a forwarding address in writing.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full deposit return deadline page
How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering a rental in Ohio?
Reasonable notice and entry at reasonable times, except in an emergency. 24 hours is presumed reasonable.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.04(A)(8) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full notice to enter page
How much notice does a landlord need to give to raise the rent in Ohio?
Ohio's landlord-tenant law (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (§§ 5321.01–5321.20), read in full on 2026-10-15) sets no notice period for rent increases; the lease terms control.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (§§ 5321.01–5321.20) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full rent increase notice page
Can a landlord charge a late fee in Ohio, and how much?
Ohio's landlord-tenant law (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (§§ 5321.01–5321.20), read in full on 2026-10-15) sets no late-fee cap; the lease terms control.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (§§ 5321.01–5321.20) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full late fees page
What notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Ohio?
At least 3 days' written notice to leave the premises before filing an eviction action, with required statutory language.
Verified Source: R.C. 1923.04(A) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full eviction notice (nonpayment) page
Can cities in Ohio pass rent control?
Preempted. No political subdivision may impose or require rent control or rent stabilization, except for housing it owns or operates and voluntary incentive programs.
Verified Source: R.C. 5321.19 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full rent control / state preemption page
How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month tenancy in Ohio?
Either party may end or not renew a month-to-month tenancy with notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date (7 days for week-to-week).
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17(A)–(B) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full ending a month-to-month tenancy page
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Ohio?
Required on the portion of a deposit above $50 or one month's rent (whichever is greater): 5% a year, computed and paid annually, if the tenant stays 6 months or more.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(A) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full interest on deposits page
Is a move-in or move-out inspection checklist required in Ohio?
Ohio's landlord-tenant law (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (§§ 5321.01–5321.20), read in full on 2026-10-15) sets no move-in or move-out inspection or checklist requirement; the lease terms control.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (§§ 5321.01–5321.20) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full move-in/move-out checklist page
Is landlord retaliation illegal in Ohio?
Yes. A landlord may not raise rent, cut services, or bring or threaten an eviction because the tenant complained to a code agency or to the landlord about maintenance, or joined with other tenants to bargain collectively. The tenant may use it as an eviction defense, recover possession or terminate, plus damages and attorney's fees.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.02 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full retaliation protections page
Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Ohio?
Banned. A landlord may not cut off utilities or services, exclude the tenant, or threaten unlawful acts to regain possession except through the eviction statutes, or seize the tenant's belongings to collect rent without a court order. The tenant may recover damages and attorney's fees.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.15 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full lockouts and utility shutoffs page
What can a tenant do if the landlord won't make repairs in Ohio?
After written notice, if the landlord doesn't fix the problem within a reasonable time or 30 days (whichever is sooner) and the tenant is current on rent, the tenant may deposit rent with the court clerk (rent escrow), ask the court to order repairs or reduce rent, or terminate. Doesn't apply to landlords of 3 or fewer units who give written notice of that, or to student tenants.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.07 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full repairs and habitability remedies page
What disclosures must a landlord give tenants in Ohio?
Every written lease must state the name and address of the owner and of the owner's agent, if any. For oral tenancies, the landlord must give this in writing at move-in. If the landlord doesn't, the tenant's notice requirements for repair remedies are waived.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.18 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full required lease disclosures page
What can a landlord do with property a tenant leaves behind in Ohio?
Ohio's landlord-tenant law (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (§§ 5321.01–5321.20), read in full on 2026-10-15) sets no procedure for property a tenant leaves behind; the lease terms control.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (§§ 5321.01–5321.20) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full abandoned property page
Can a tenant break a lease early for domestic violence or military service in Ohio?
Ohio's landlord-tenant law (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321, read in full on 2026-10-15) sets no domestic-violence early-termination right. Landlords must comply with servicemembers' rights under the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.04(A)(10); ch. 5321 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full early termination (dv/military) page
Is there a grace period before a late fee can be charged in Ohio?
Ohio's landlord-tenant law (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (§§ 5321.01–5321.20), read in full on 2026-10-15) sets no grace period before a late fee; the lease terms control.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (§§ 5321.01–5321.20) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full late fee grace period page
How does the eviction court process work in Ohio?
The summons must be served at least 7 days before trial, and the possession hearing can't be sooner than the 7th day after service is complete. Other claims have a 28-day answer date.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 1923.06(A), (H) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full eviction court process & timeline page
Can a tenant withhold rent for repairs in Ohio?
If the landlord doesn't fix a problem within a reasonable time after written notice (30 days at most), a tenant who is current on rent may deposit rent with the court clerk, ask the court to order repairs, or end the lease. This doesn't apply to student tenants or to landlords with 3 or fewer units who give written notice of that.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.07 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full rent withholding / escrow page
What happens if a tenant stays after the lease ends in Ohio?
A landlord may file an eviction action against a tenant who is holding over after the term, even where the retaliation rules would otherwise apply.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.03(A)(4) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full holdover tenants page
Does a landlord have to give notice before not renewing a lease in Ohio?
Either side may refuse to renew a week-to-week tenancy on 7 days' notice or a month-to-month tenancy on 30 days' notice before the rent date. A search of the full text of ch. 5321 found no notice rule for ending a fixed-term lease at its end.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17(A)-(B); ch. 5321 searched in full · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full lease renewal / non-renewal notice page
How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee in Ohio?
A search of the full text of Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 found no application-fee or screening-fee limit.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (searched in full) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full application fees & screening page
Can a tenant sublet an apartment in Ohio?
A search of the full text of Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 found no rule on subletting or assigning a lease. The parties may set lease terms that don't conflict with the chapter.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.06; ch. 5321 searched in full · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full subletting & assignment page
Can a tenant fix something and deduct it from rent in Ohio?
A search of the full text of Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 found no repair-and-deduct remedy. The tenant's repair remedy is depositing rent with the court clerk under § 5321.07.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (searched in full); § 5321.07 · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full repair and deduct page
Can a landlord refuse Section 8 or other source of income in Ohio?
Ohio's fair housing law bars refusing to rent or setting different terms because of race, color, religion, sex, military status, familial status, ancestry, disability or national origin. Source of income is not on the list. Check local ordinances.
Verified Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 4112.02(H) · last checked 2026-10-15 · Full source of income discrimination page
What is the military lease termination (federal scra, all states) rule in Ohio?
Federal law that applies in every state: under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, a tenant may end a residential lease after entering military service, or after getting permanent-change-of-station orders or deployment orders of at least 90 days, by delivering written notice and a copy of the orders to the landlord. For a lease with monthly rent, termination takes effect 30 days after the next rent due date following delivery of the notice. Any state-specific rule on this page also applies. Code text: "The lessee on a lease described in subsection (b) may, at the lessee's option, terminate the lease at any time after."
Verified Source: 50 U.S.C. § 3955 (federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act) · last checked 2026-10-16 · Full military lease termination (federal scra, all states) page
Ohio cities with their own rules
- Akron landlord rules
- Athens landlord rules
- Bay Village landlord rules
- Beachwood landlord rules
- Brecksville landlord rules
- Cincinnati landlord rules
- Cleveland landlord rules
- Columbus landlord rules
- Dayton landlord rules
- Delaware landlord rules
- Reynoldsburg landlord rules
- Rittman landlord rules
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