Question 1

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

Ohio's landlord-tenant law (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (§§ 5321.01–5321.20), reviewed by full-text search on 2026-10-15) sets no cap on security deposits; the lease terms control.

Question 2

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 3

How much notice does a landlord have to give before entering a rental in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

Reasonable notice and entry at reasonable times, except in an emergency. 24 hours is presumed reasonable.

Question 4

How much notice does a landlord need to give to raise the rent in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

Ohio's landlord-tenant law (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (§§ 5321.01–5321.20), reviewed by full-text search on 2026-10-15) sets no notice period for rent increases; the lease terms control.

Question 5

Can a landlord charge a late fee in Ohio, and how much?

Accepted Answer

Ohio sets no statewide late-fee cap in its landlord-tenant law (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321, reviewed by full-text search on 2026-10-29) and no required grace period; the lease terms control, but a court can refuse to enforce an unconscionable late fee. What the statute does say: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.06 lets a landlord and tenant include any terms in a rental agreement, including terms about rent, as long as they are not inconsistent with or prohibited by Chapter 5321. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.14(A) lets a court that finds a rental agreement or any clause in it unconscionable refuse to enforce that clause, enforce the rest of the agreement without it, or limit the clause to avoid an unconscionable result, and § 5321.14(B) gives both sides a chance to present evidence on the clause's setting, purpose and effect. Ohio has no statewide number for when a late fee becomes unconscionable (no figure in the statute). Put the late-fee amount and the date it applies in the written lease. Guidance from Ohio case law (not statute): whether a late fee is unconscionable depends on the court, and fees related to the landlord's actual cost of late payment are more likely to be enforced. Local ordinances may add rules; check your city.

Question 6

What notice does a landlord have to give before evicting for unpaid rent in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

At least 3 days' written notice to leave the premises before filing an eviction action, with required statutory language.

Question 7

Can cities in Ohio pass rent control?

Accepted Answer

Preempted. No political subdivision may impose or require rent control or rent stabilization, except for housing it owns or operates and voluntary incentive programs.

Question 8

How much notice is needed to end a month-to-month tenancy in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

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).

Question 9

Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 10

Is a move-in or move-out inspection checklist required in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

Ohio's landlord-tenant law (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (§§ 5321.01–5321.20), reviewed by full-text search on 2026-10-15) sets no move-in or move-out inspection or checklist requirement; the lease terms control.

Question 11

Is landlord retaliation illegal in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 12

Can a landlord change the locks or shut off utilities in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 13

What can a tenant do if the landlord won't make repairs in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 14

What disclosures must a landlord give tenants in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 15

What can a landlord do with property a tenant leaves behind in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

Ohio's landlord-tenant law (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (§§ 5321.01–5321.20), reviewed by full-text search on 2026-10-15) sets no procedure for property a tenant leaves behind; the lease terms control.

Question 16

Can a tenant break a lease early for domestic violence or military service in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

Ohio's landlord-tenant law (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321, reviewed by full-text search on 2026-10-15) sets no domestic-violence early-termination right. Landlords must comply with servicemembers' rights under the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act.

Question 17

Is there a grace period before a late fee can be charged in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

Ohio's landlord-tenant law (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (§§ 5321.01–5321.20), reviewed by full-text search on 2026-10-15) sets no grace period before a late fee; the lease terms control.

Question 18

How does the eviction court process work in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 19

Can a tenant withhold rent for repairs in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 20

What happens if a tenant stays after the lease ends in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 21

Does a landlord have to give notice before not renewing a lease in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 22

How much can a landlord charge for a rental application fee in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

A search of the full text of Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 found no application-fee or screening-fee limit.

Question 23

Can a tenant sublet an apartment in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 24

Can a tenant fix something and deduct it from rent in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 25

Can a landlord refuse Section 8 or other source of income in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 26

What is the military lease termination (federal scra, all states) rule in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

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" entering military service, the date of the military orders, or the date of a stop movement order (50 U.S.C. 3955(a)(1)(A)-(C)).

Question 27

What is the property manager licensing rule in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

In Ohio, a person who rents or leases real estate for another for a fee is a "real estate broker," and R.C. 4735.02 bars acting as one without a license. Statute text: "(1) Sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or leases, or negotiates the sale, exchange, purchase, rental, or leasing of any real estate" (R.C. 4735.01(A), 4735.02).

Question 28

Do landlords need a rental license or registration in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

Ohio requires owners of residential rental property to file their name, address and phone number (or those of a responsible officer, partner or trustee for an entity), plus the property's street address and parcel number, with the county auditor, and to update the filing within 60 days of any change. Statute text: "An owner of residential rental property shall file with the county auditor of the county in which the property is located the following information" (R.C. 5323.02).

Question 29

Does a landlord need just cause to evict in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

The state landlord-tenant statute (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (Landlords and Tenants), full-text search on 2026-10-17 for "just cause," "good cause," "for cause" and "without cause") has no general just-cause (good-cause) requirement for ending a tenancy. Local ordinances or other state or federal laws may still apply.

Question 30

What is the tenant buyout disclosures rule in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

The state landlord-tenant statute (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (Landlords and Tenants), full-text search on 2026-10-17 for "buyout" and payments to vacate) has no provision on tenant buyout agreements or buyout disclosures. Local ordinances or other state or federal laws may still apply.

Question 31

What is the deposit bank holding / separate account rule in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

The state landlord-tenant statute (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (Landlords and Tenants), full-text search on 2026-10-17 for "account," "escrow," "trust" and "separate") has no requirement to keep security deposits in a separate, trust or escrow account. Its only escrow account rule is for rent a tenant deposits with the court clerk. Interest rules for larger deposits are in R.C. 5321.16.

Question 32

What is the pet deposits/fees & service/esa animals rule in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

The state landlord-tenant statute (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (Landlords and Tenants), full-text search on 2026-10-17 for "pet" and "animal") has no provision on pet deposits, pet fees or animals. Federal fair housing rules on assistance animals still apply, as may local ordinances.

Question 33

What is the domestic violence early termination rule in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

The state landlord-tenant statute (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (Landlords and Tenants), full-text search on 2026-10-17 for "domestic violence," "stalking," "sexual assault" and "protection order") has no provision letting victims of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking end a lease early. Domestic violence appears only in the list of shelters the chapter does not cover. Federal VAWA protections may apply in covered subsidized housing.

Question 34

What happens to the lease when a tenant dies in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

The state landlord-tenant statute (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (Landlords and Tenants), full-text search on 2026-10-17 for "death," "deceased" and "dies") has no provision on what happens to a lease or the tenant's property when a tenant dies. General estate and contract law applies.

Question 35

What is the guest & occupancy limits rule in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

The state landlord-tenant statute (Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (Landlords and Tenants), full-text search on 2026-10-17 for "guest") has no provision on guest stays or occupancy limits. Local ordinances or other state or federal laws may still apply.

Question 36

What federal protections does a tenant have after foreclosure in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

Federal law that applies in every state: under the Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act (made permanent in 2018), whoever takes over a home through foreclosure must give a bona fide tenant at least 90 days' notice to vacate. A tenant with a bona fide lease signed before the notice of foreclosure (the date title passes) can stay until the lease ends, unless the unit is sold to a buyer who will live there as a primary residence; that buyer must still give the 90-day notice. Month-to-month and at-will tenants also get the 90 days. A tenancy is bona fide only if the tenant is not the borrower or the borrower's child, spouse or parent, the deal was at arm's length, and the rent is not far below market (unless it is subsidized). State or local laws with longer notice or more protection still apply, and any state-specific rule on this page also applies. Statute text: "the provision, by such successor in interest of a notice to vacate to any bona fide tenant at least 90 days before the effective date of such notice" (Pub. L. 111-22, SEC. 702(a)(1)).

Question 37

What is the manufactured / mobile home parks rule in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

In Ohio, when a manufactured home park resident materially violates park rules, state division rules or health and safety codes, the park operator can deliver a written violation notice. The notice must say the rental agreement will end on a date at least 30 days after it is received unless the resident fixes the violation, and that a second material violation within six months ends the agreement immediately. Statute text: "A statement that the rental agreement will terminate upon a date specified in the written notice not less than thirty days after receipt of the notice unless the resident remedies the violation" (Ohio Rev. Code § 4781.45).

Question 38

What is the right to cure / redeem rule in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for health-and-safety breaches. When an Ohio tenant breaks a duty under R.C. 5321.05 that materially affects health and safety, the landlord can give written notice ending the rental agreement on a date at least 30 days after the tenant receives it. The agreement ends on that date only if the tenant has not remedied the condition. Statute text: "If the tenant fails to remedy the condition specified in the notice, the rental agreement shall terminate as provided in the notice." (Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.11).

Question 39

What is the eviction notices for other grounds (lease violation, no-fault) rule in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

For a tenant breach of an R.C. 5321.05 duty that materially affects health and safety (such as keeping the unit safe and sanitary or not damaging it), an Ohio landlord can deliver a written notice that names the problem and ends the rental agreement on a date at least 30 days after the tenant receives it. If the tenant fixes the condition, the agreement does not end. Statute text: "specifying that the rental agreement will terminate upon a date specified in the notice, not less than thirty days after receipt of the notice" (Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.11).

Question 40

What are the Airbnb / short-term rental rules in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

Ohio's state hotel license (R.C. chapter 3731, issued through the state fire marshal) is required to operate a "hotel," which for transient stays means a structure with more than five sleeping rooms offered for pay to guests for 30 days or less. A smaller short-term rental with five or fewer sleeping rooms does not meet that definition. Statute text: ""Transient hotel" means any structure consisting of one or more buildings, with more than five sleeping rooms, that is specifically constructed, kept, used, maintained, advertised, or held out to the public to be a place where sleeping accommodations are offered for pay to transient guests for a period of thirty days or less" (Ohio Rev. Code §§ 3731.01(A)(1)-(2), 3731.03).

Question 41

Does Ohio have rent control?

Accepted Answer

Ohio bars cities and other political subdivisions from imposing or requiring rent control or rent stabilization, except for housing they own or operate and voluntary incentive programs (Ohio Rev. Code 5321.19). No state limit on rent amounts was found in chs. 5321 and 1923, reviewed by full-text search.

Question 42

What is the warranty of habitability in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

The landlord must comply with building, housing, health and safety codes, make all repairs needed to keep the premises fit and habitable, keep common areas safe and sanitary, maintain supplied electrical, plumbing, heating and similar fixtures, and supply running water, reasonable hot water and reasonable heat (Ohio Rev. Code 5321.04(A)).

Question 43

What disclosures must a landlord give in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

Every written residential lease must give the name and address of the owner and of the owner's agent, if any. For an oral lease, the landlord must deliver this in writing at the start of the tenancy. If the landlord fails to, the tenant's notice requirements under 5321.07(A) and 5321.08(A) are waived (Ohio Rev. Code 5321.18).

Question 44

What is the scra / military lease termination rule in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

Ohio requires landlords to comply with tenants' rights under the federal Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, which includes the federal lease termination right (Ohio Rev. Code 5321.04(A)(10); 50 U.S.C. 3955). In an eviction against a tenant deployed on active duty, the court may, and on the tenant's motion must, stay the case for 90 days or adjust the rent obligation if the deployment materially affects the tenant's ability to pay; this does not apply to landlords with fewer than four units (1923.062).

Question 45

Can the city inspect my rental property in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

During an eviction case, the court may order a government agency to inspect the premises and may bar re-renting or order repairs if it finds 5321.04 violations (Ohio Rev. Code 1923.15). No state statute requiring routine rental inspections was found in chs. 5321 and 1923, reviewed by full-text search.

Question 46

Does a landlord have to provide smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

No state statute requiring landlords to provide smoke or carbon monoxide detectors was found in Ohio Rev. Code chs. 5321 and 1923 (reviewed by full-text search).

Question 47

Can a landlord deny a tenant for criminal or credit history in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

No state statute limiting tenant screening by criminal or credit history was found in Ohio Rev. Code chs. 5321 and 1923 (reviewed by full-text search).

Question 48

How much does it cost to file an eviction in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

No state statute setting eviction filing fees was found in Ohio Rev. Code chs. 5321 and 1923 (reviewed by full-text search). Filing fees are set locally by each municipal or county court.

Question 49

What is the eviction record sealing rule in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

No state statute sealing eviction records was found in Ohio Rev. Code chs. 5321 and 1923 (reviewed by full-text search).

Question 50

What is the tenant relocation assistance rule in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

No state statute requiring relocation assistance was found in Ohio Rev. Code chs. 5321 and 1923 (reviewed by full-text search).

Question 51

What rights does a tenant have after foreclosure in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

No state statute protecting tenants after foreclosure was found in Ohio Rev. Code chs. 5321 and 1923 (reviewed by full-text search).

Question 52

What is the rental / transient occupancy tax rule in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Ohio's 5.75% state sales tax applies to lodging furnished to transient guests (stays under 30 consecutive days) (RC 5739.01(B)(2), (N); 5739.02(A)(1)). Counties and other local governments may add lodging taxes under RC 5739.09.

Question 53

What is the rent receipts, payment methods & cash rule in Ohio?

Accepted Answer

Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (Landlords and Tenants) (official text, full-text search on 2026-10-30) has no provision on how rent may be paid (cash, check, electronic payment) or rent receipts. The lease terms control unless another law applies. Local ordinances or other state or federal laws may still apply.

Ohio landlord-tenant law FAQ