The Ohio Landlord and Tenant Police force went into effect in 1975. This data is designed to requite you lot a cursory overview of your legal rights and responsibilities nether the law. For gratis counseling, please call Fair Housing Contact Service at 330.376.6191 to schedule an engagement.

Landlord Duties

These responsibilities cannot be waived through any oral or written agreement (such as your lease). A landlord has a duty to:

  • Follow all building, housing, health, and rubber codes that seriously bear on wellness and condom.
  • Keep the property in a livable condition by making all necessary repairs.
  • Keep all common or public areas (such as hallways, entryways, and parking lots) prophylactic and clean.
  • Maintain in proficient working condition all electrical, plumbing, heating and air-conditioning systems, fixtures and appliances which the landlord has supplied or is required to supply (example: refrigerators, stoves & air conditioners).
  • Provide running water and reasonable amounts of hot h2o and heat unless the hot water and heat is controlled by the tenant lone. And you have a directly utility connexion or meter.
  • Provide garbage cans and suit for trash removal if the landlord owns four (iv) or more than units in the aforementioned building.
  • Provide 24-hour notice before inbound the tenants' flat unit unless there is an emergency. Except in an emergency, the landlord can simply enter the property at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner. Note that the landlord must adios if southward/he knows or is informed past a law enforcement officer that the tenant or someone in the tenants rental property is engaged in drug activity on or near the property. In social club to adios for drug activity, the drug activity in question must either occur on or somehow be connected to the tenants' rental holding.
  • CANNOT abuse their right of access/entry to inspect the bounds, deliver packages or show the rental unit to prospective tenants or buyers.
  • Provide the federally required pb paint disclosures and informational materials if the rental belongings was built before 1978.

Landlords CANNOT:

  • Retaliate against past increasing the hire, decreasing services, evicting or threatening to evict because the tenant complained to a authorities agency of a violation that affects wellness or safety.
  • Shut off utilities or other services, alter locks, remove doors or windows, or have tenants possessions in order to try to force them to movement, even if the tenant is behind on rent payments or their lease has expired. The only mode a landlord can evict is by filing an eviction action against the tenant and obtaining a courtroom order.
  • Raise the rent, finish the tenancy, or change the terms of the lease or rental agreement without giving proper notice.
  • Charge excessive late fees or application fees.
  • Discriminate against on the ground of race, colour, national origin, religion, sexual activity, familial status (pregnant women or families with children under the age of 18), handicap and military status.

If a Landlord Violates His or Her Duties

Exist sure to give the landlord landlord written notices of the violation and go on a copy for your records. Document the problem by taking photographs and keeping a diary recording the date when the problem started, whatever attempts to contact the landlord, the landlord's attempts to fix the problem, any attempts to ready the problem, any expenses that you incur, the severity of the problem, how the trouble has affected the tenants' apply of the property, whatsoever amercement caused to personal property, etc. If the landlord fails to gear up the problem with in 30-days, the tenant may be able to eolith the rent into escrow to the Clerk of Courts until the problem is fixed.

Tenant Duties

If a tenant violates any of their duties under the law or their lease agreement, the landlord may have the right to recover damages from and/or evict the tenant(s) from the property. For many tenant violations, the landlord must first requite a notice of the problem and an opportunity, up to 30-days, to fix it. If the trouble is stock-still, the landlord can no longer evict the tenant.

  • Go on the property safe and clean.
  • Dispose of all garbage in a clean condom and make clean manner.
  • Keep all plumbing fixtures as clean as possible given their condition.
  • Use electric and plumbing equipment correctly.
  • Follow all housing, health, and prophylactic codes that utilize to tenants.
  • Avoid from damaging the property and keep guests from causing damage.
  • Go on appliances supplied by the landlord in good working lodge.
  • Conduct yourself in a fashion that does not disturb the neighbors' peace.
  • Allow the landlord to enter the rental unit if the request is reasonable and 24-hr advance notice is given.
  • Comply with state or city drug laws and require household members and guests to do likewise.
  • Do not make changes to the rental unit (such as painting or removing carpeting) without getting permission from the landlord in writing.
  • Refrain from engaging in illegal action, including illegal drug use or underage drinking, while on the rental property.
  • Pay hire every month in full and on time.

Rental Control

At that place is no rent control in the country of Ohio. A landlord tin raise the rent any amount as long every bit tenants are given notice before they sign the lease agreement or whatever renewal agreement.

Security Deposits

  • Security deposits can be in whatsoever amount. If the deposit exceeds one month's rent, the landlord must pay 5% interest per twelvemonth on the amount over one calendar month'south rent, not the total amount.
  • At the end of a lease, a landlord may use the security deposit to cover whatever unpaid hire or fees, and any damage to the property beyond reasonable vesture and tear.
  • The tenant must requite the landlord a forwarding address in writing where they would similar the eolith sent at the cease of the charter term.
  • A landlord has xxx-days afterward the termination of the lease agreement to return the security eolith. If the landlord
    withholds any or all of the security deposit, the landlord should send you a written argument indicating what the withholdings were for.
  • If a landlord wrongfully withholds any portion of the security deposit, tenants are entitled to double damages for the wrongfully withheld portion, plus reasonable attorney'due south fees.
  • To help ensure the render of a security deposit at the cease of the lease term, document the condition of the rental property at the time of move in and at the time of motility out. Read the lease agreement and follow whatever lease termination procedures that are required by the landlord.

THIS Information ONLY REFERS TO OHIO LAW AND DOES Not Found LEGAL ADVICE. IF YOU NEED LEGAL ADVICE, YOU MUST CONTACT AN ATTORNEY.