Ohio
An Ohio lease agreement is a legally binding contract that landlords use to rent their property to tenants under specific conditions. This agreement typically includes essential information such as the contact details of both the tenant and landlord, the property address, any pet prohibitions or requirements, health hazards, and security deposit information.
SimpleBasicLease_Ohio
Rental Lease Laws Overview
In Ohio, there are no rent control laws in place. Additionally, there is no statutory limit on late fees, and late fees are not specifically addressed in the law. There is also no mandated grace period for late rent payments, nor is a license required for landlords to operate.
It is recommended that landlords screen potential tenants with a rental application before finalizing the lease agreement.
Required Lease Disclosures
Disclosure of Lead-Based Hazards
Landlords are required to disclose the presence of lead-based hazards if the property was built before 1978, in compliance with federal law.
Security Deposit Notice
Landlords must return security deposits within thirty (30) days after the lease ends, along with an itemized list of any damages and a receipt of all charges.
Security Deposit
Ohio law does not specify a maximum amount for security deposits that landlords may collect. While receipts for security deposits are not mandated by law, any deposit greater than $50 must accrue 5% interest, which must be paid annually to the tenant if they reside at the property for more than six months. Landlords are required to hold security deposits in a separate interest-bearing account.
Upon the termination of the lease, landlords must return the security deposit within 30 days. They may withhold funds from the security deposit for unpaid rent and damages resulting from tenant noncompliance with the rental agreement. In such cases, landlords must provide a written notice that itemizes these deductions and return any remaining deposit.
Rent Payments
Rent is due on the date specified in the lease agreement; if no date is specified, it is due on the first of the month. There are no rent control laws in Ohio, and landlords are not limited in the amount they can charge for late fees. A three-day notice to pay rent or quit is required before eviction proceedings can begin.
If a landlord fails to meet their obligations or if the property is found to be noncompliant with health and safety codes, tenants may send a written notice detailing the issue. If the landlord does not rectify the situation within 30 days (or a reasonable time), tenants may pay their rent to the municipal court clerk and request a rent reduction until the issue is resolved.
Landlord Right of Entry
Landlords must provide reasonable notice before entering a rental property, which is generally considered to be at least 24 hours unless otherwise indicated.
Property Repairs
Landlords are responsible for ensuring that rental units are habitable by maintaining health and safety standards and promptly addressing repair requests. If tenants fail to maintain essential utilities, landlords may initiate eviction proceedings with a three-day notice to quit. There is no state-mandated length of time for abandonment.
Terminating a Lease
For month-to-month tenancies, either party may terminate the lease by providing a 30-day notice to the other party. There is no specific statute governing unclaimed property in Ohio.
Statutes
- Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.04 – Landlord’s obligations
- Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.05 – Tenant obligations
- Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.07 – Failure of landlord to fulfill obligations – remedies of tenant
- Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.08 – Rent deposits – duty of clerk of court
- Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.09 – Failure of tenant to fulfill obligations – remedies of landlord
- Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.10 – Release of part of rent
- Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.11 – Failure of tenant to fulfill obligations – remedies of landlord
- Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.13 – Terms prohibited in rental agreement
- Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16 – Procedures for security deposits
- Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17(C) – Termination of tenancy
- Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17 – Termination of tenancy
- Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.18 – Requirements for disclosing landlord’s name and address
- Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.051(A)(2) – Eviction of tenant allowing sex or child victim offenders to occupy premises near school, child care facility
- Ohio Rev. Code § 1319.16 – Check collection charges
- Ohio Rev. Code § 1923.01(A) – Jurisdiction in forcible entry and detainer – definitions
- Ohio Rev. Code § 1923.02(A)(9) – Persons subject to forcible entry and detainer action
- Ohio Rev. Code § 1923.02 – Persons subject to forcible entry and detainer action
- Ohio Rev. Code § 1923.04(A) – Notice – Service
- Ohio Rev. Code § 1925.02(A)(1) – Jurisdiction
- Ohio Rev. Code § 2305.06 – Contract in writing
FAQs
In Ohio, landlords must disclose lead-based hazards if the property was built before 1978, as required by federal law. Additionally, they must provide a security deposit notice, which includes returning the deposit and an itemized list of any damages within 30 days of the lease’s end.
Ohio law does not specify a maximum limit for security deposits that landlords can collect. However, any security deposit over $50 must accrue 5% interest, which must be paid annually to the tenant if they reside in the property for more than six months.
A tenant can terminate a month-to-month lease in Ohio by providing a 30-day notice to the landlord. This notice must be given before the next rent payment is due.
Landlords in Ohio are responsible for ensuring that rental units are habitable and must maintain health and safety standards. They are also required to promptly address repair requests made by tenants.
If a landlord fails to address repair issues within 30 days after receiving written notice from the tenant, the tenant may pay rent to the municipal court clerk and request a rent reduction until the issue is resolved.
No, Ohio does not have any rent control laws. Landlords can set rental prices without state-imposed limits.
In Ohio, landlords must provide tenants with reasonable notice before entering the property, which is generally assumed to be at least 24 hours unless otherwise indicated.
When a tenant moves out, the landlord must return the security deposit within 30 days, along with an itemized list of any deductions for damages or unpaid rent. If the landlord withholds any amount, they must provide written notice detailing these deductions.