Ohio Landlord-Tenant Laws: Key Rental Rules (2026)
Security deposits, notice periods, landlord entry, and other key rental rules in Ohio, each linked to the state law it comes from.
By the ListMyHomes.com™ Editorial TeamPublished Last reviewed
This page summarizes the main landlord-tenant rules in Ohio. Each rule in the table below links to the law it comes from.
Key rules at a glance
| Rule | Ohio |
|---|---|
| Where these laws apply | Ohio's landlord-tenant law (Revised Code Chapter 5321) is a statewide law covering residential premises rented under any rental agreement, written or oral, including dwelling units owned or operated by a college or university. Among the places it does not cover: prisons and jails, hospitals and licensed care homes, hotels, motels and other transient lodging, boarding schools, orphanages, certain farm residences, occupancy by a condominium unit's owner, and certain nonprofit SRO facilities and emergency shelters. Ohio Rev. Code §§ 5321.01(C), (D), 5321.20 |
| Security deposit limit | |
| Where deposits are held | |
| Returning the deposit | Within 30 days after the lease ends and possession is delivered, the landlord must deliver the amount due to the tenant with a written notice itemizing any deductions. The tenant must give the landlord a forwarding or new address in writing; a tenant who does not is not entitled to the damages and attorney's fees described next. If the landlord does not comply, the tenant may recover the money due plus damages equal to the amount wrongfully withheld and reasonable attorney's fees. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B), (C) |
| Deposit deductions | When the lease ends, the deposit may be applied to past-due rent and to damages the landlord suffered because the tenant did not meet the tenant's duties under § 5321.05 or the lease. Each deduction must be itemized in the written notice to the tenant. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B) |
| Interest on deposits | Required if the tenant stays 6 months or more: the part of the deposit above $50 or one month's rent, whichever is greater, earns 5% a year, computed and paid to the tenant annually. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(A) |
| Landlord entry notice | Reasonable notice before entering, and entry only at reasonable times; 24 hours is presumed reasonable notice unless shown otherwise. No notice is required in an emergency or when notice is impracticable. The tenant may not unreasonably refuse entry for inspections, repairs, delivery of large parcels, services or showings. Ohio Rev. Code §§ 5321.04(A)(8), 5321.05(B) |
| Notice to end a month-to-month lease | Notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date, by either the landlord or the tenant (week-to-week: at least 7 days before the termination date in the notice). Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17(A), (B) |
| Rent-increase notice | No notice period in Ohio Revised Code Chapters 5321 and 1923. A landlord may not raise rent to retaliate against a tenant for complaining to a government agency about a code violation that materially affects health and safety, complaining to the landlord about the landlord's duties under § 5321.04, or joining with other tenants to negotiate with the landlord. Increases that reflect the cost of improvements the landlord installed or higher operating costs are allowed. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.02(A), (C); Ch. 5321 and Ch. 1923 (no notice provision) |
| Late fees | No limit and no grace period in Ohio Revised Code Chapters 5321 and 1923. Ohio Rev. Code Ch. 5321 and Ch. 1923 (no provision) |
| Notice for unpaid rent | A landlord may sue for possession under Chapter 1923 when the tenant is in default in paying rent. At least 3 days before filing, the landlord must notify the tenant to leave the premises, by certified mail (return receipt requested), by handing the tenant a written copy, or by leaving it at the tenant's usual home or at the rental. The notice must conspicuously include the statutory warning that begins "You are being asked to leave the premises." Ohio Rev. Code §§ 1923.04(A), 5321.03(A)(1) |
| Rent control | Not allowed. Local governments may not impose or require rent control or rent stabilization. They may still regulate rent on housing they own or operate, and use voluntary incentives or agreements to increase or maintain the supply or improve the quality of housing. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.19(A), (B)(2), (B)(3) |
| Required landlord disclosures | Every written lease must contain the name and address of the owner and of the owner's agent, if any (for a business entity, its principal place of business in the county, or else in Ohio, and the name of the person in charge). For an oral lease, the landlord must deliver this information to the tenant in a written notice at the start of the tenancy. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.18(A), (B) Federal law: For housing built before 1978 (with limited exceptions): before the tenant is bound by the lease, the landlord must give the EPA lead-hazard pamphlet and disclose any known lead-based paint or hazards and any available reports. 42 U.S.C. § 4852d; 40 CFR 745.107 |
| Fair housing protected classes | Race, color, religion, sex, military status, familial status, ancestry, disability and national origin. Military status and ancestry appear in Ohio's list but not in the federal list. Ohio Rev. Code § 4112.02(H)(1); 42 U.S.C. § 3604 |
What this means for renters
Before you sign, compare the lease's deposit amount, rent due date, and late-fee terms with the rules above. At move-in, record the unit's condition with dated photos. When you move out, give the written notice your lease and the rules above call for, leave a forwarding address, and keep copies of everything you send and receive.
What this means for landlords who manage their own rental
List the unit with its rent, deposit, and lease terms. Screen every applicant by the same written criteria, within fair-housing law. Collect the deposit and give notices following the rules above, and keep records of the unit's condition at move-in and move-out.
List your rental on ListMyHomes.com for one flat fee, or browse rentals in Ohio listed directly by owners.
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Ohio?
No limit set by Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321. See the source in the table above.
How long does a Ohio landlord have to return a security deposit?
Within 30 days after the lease ends and possession is delivered, the landlord must deliver the amount due to the tenant with a written notice itemizing any deductions. The tenant must give the landlord a forwarding or new address in writing; a tenant who does not is not entitled to the damages and attorney's fees described next. If the landlord does not comply, the tenant may recover the money due plus damages equal to the amount wrongfully withheld and reasonable attorney's fees. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Ohio landlord give before entering?
Reasonable notice before entering, and entry only at reasonable times; 24 hours is presumed reasonable notice unless shown otherwise. No notice is required in an emergency or when notice is impracticable. The tenant may not unreasonably refuse entry for inspections, repairs, delivery of large parcels, services or showings. See the source in the table above.
How much notice ends a month-to-month lease in Ohio?
Notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date, by either the landlord or the tenant (week-to-week: at least 7 days before the termination date in the notice). See the source in the table above.
How much notice is required for a rent increase in Ohio?
No notice period in Ohio Revised Code Chapters 5321 and 1923. A landlord may not raise rent to retaliate against a tenant for complaining to a government agency about a code violation that materially affects health and safety, complaining to the landlord about the landlord's duties under § 5321.04, or joining with other tenants to negotiate with the landlord. Increases that reflect the cost of improvements the landlord installed or higher operating costs are allowed. See the source in the table above.
How much can a Ohio landlord charge for late rent?
No limit and no grace period in Ohio Revised Code Chapters 5321 and 1923. See the source in the table above.
How much notice must a Ohio landlord give when rent is unpaid?
A landlord may sue for possession under Chapter 1923 when the tenant is in default in paying rent. At least 3 days before filing, the landlord must notify the tenant to leave the premises, by certified mail (return receipt requested), by handing the tenant a written copy, or by leaving it at the tenant's usual home or at the rental. The notice must conspicuously include the statutory warning that begins "You are being asked to leave the premises." See the source in the table above.
Does Ohio have rent control?
Not allowed. Local governments may not impose or require rent control or rent stabilization. They may still regulate rent on housing they own or operate, and use voluntary incentives or agreements to increase or maintain the supply or improve the quality of housing. See the source in the table above.
Rentals in Ohio listed by owners
There are no owner-listed rentals in Ohio on ListMyHomes.com right now. New listings appear here as landlords list.