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OH LANDLORD-TENANT LAW

Ohio Landlord-Tenant Laws 2026

Security deposit limits, notice requirements, eviction process, late fees, and more for Ohio landlords. All citations reference actual Ohio statutes.

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Disclaimer: This information is provided for general educational purposes only and is not legal advice. Laws change frequently. Always verify current statutes with your state legislature or consult a licensed attorney before making legal decisions.
Security DepositNotice PeriodEvictionLate FeeLease TerminationRent IncreaseHabitabilityLandlord EntryFair Housing
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Security Deposit Rules

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16
No statutory limit on deposit amount. Must be returned within 30 days. Itemized deductions required. Interest required only if tenancy is 6+ months and deposit exceeds $50 or 1 month rent.
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Notice Period Requirements

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17
Month-to-month requires 30 days notice. Lease violation: 3-day notice for nonpayment, 30-day notice for other violations.
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⚖️

Eviction Process

Ohio Rev. Code § 1923.04
Nonpayment: 3-day notice to vacate. Lease violation: 30-day notice to cure. Court filing for forcible entry and detainer. Self-help eviction prohibited.
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Late Fee Rules

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.01
No statutory cap on late fees. No required grace period. Fees must be specified in lease. Courts apply reasonableness standard.
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Lease Termination

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17
Fixed-term ends per lease. Month-to-month: 30 days notice. Early termination for military deployment, domestic violence, or landlord retaliation.
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Rent Increase Rules

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.01
No rent control. Ohio preempts local rent control ordinances. No statutory limit on increases. 30 days notice required for month-to-month.
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Habitability Standards

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.04
Landlord must maintain premises in fit and habitable condition, comply with building codes, keep common areas safe, provide running water, heat, and maintain all systems.
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Landlord Entry Rules

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.04
Landlord must give at least 24 hours notice before entry. Entry at reasonable times. Emergency entry without notice. Tenant has right of reasonable privacy.
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Fair Housing Protections

Ohio Rev. Code § 4112.02
Ohio Fair Housing Law prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, familial status, ancestry, and military status.
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