Renting in Ohio
Your rights as a tenant in Ohio
Ohio law sets no maximum for the security deposit. What state law says about your deposit, the notices you must get, repairs and eviction. Every rule comes with its citation and the text of the law.
Key numbers in Ohio
- Maximum deposit
- No maximum in the law
- Ohio Rev. Code §5321.16(A)
- To return your deposit
- 30 days
- Ohio Rev. Code §5321.16(B)
- Notice for late rent
- 3 days
- Ohio Rev. Code §1923.04(A)
What the law says
The rules, one by one
The basic rules for renting in Ohio, answered with state law and its citation.
Tap “What the law says” to read the exact text and see where it comes from.
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How much can they charge for a deposit?
Ohio law sets no maximum for the security deposit.
Ohio law sets no maximum for the security deposit. What §5321.16(A) does say is that any deposit above $50 or one month's rent (whichever is greater) earns 5 percent yearly interest on the excess if you stay 6 months or more.
What the law says · Ohio Rev. Code §5321.16(A)
“Any security deposit in excess of fifty dollars or one month's periodic rent, whichever is greater, shall bear interest on the excess at the rate of five per cent per annum if the tenant remains in possession of the premises for six months or more, and shall be computed and paid annually by the landlord to the tenant.”
Source: Ohio Legislative Service Commission (Ohio Revised Code) · Verified on November 5, 2026
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When must they return my deposit?
30 days
Within 30 days after the agreement ends and you deliver possession, the landlord must give you an itemized written notice of deductions and the balance of the deposit. You must give your forwarding address in writing; otherwise you lose the right to damages and attorney fees.
What the law says · Ohio Rev. Code §5321.16(B)
“Any deduction from the security deposit shall be itemized and identified by the landlord in a written notice delivered to the tenant together with the amount due, within thirty days after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession. The tenant shall provide the landlord in writing with a forwarding address or new address to which the written notice and amount due from the landlord may be sent.”
Source: Ohio Legislative Service Commission (Ohio Revised Code) · Verified on October 23, 2026
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If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
3 days
Before filing the eviction, the landlord must notify you to leave at least 3 days ahead, by certified mail, in person or by leaving the notice at the home. The notice must include the statutory sentence recommending that you seek legal assistance.
What the law says · Ohio Rev. Code §1923.04(A)
“a party desiring to commence an action under this chapter shall notify the adverse party to leave the premises, for the possession of which the action is about to be brought, three or more days before beginning the action, by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by handing a written copy of the notice to the defendant in person, or by leaving it at the defendant's usual place of abode or at the premises from which the defendant is sought to be evicted.”
Source: Ohio Legislative Service Commission (Ohio Revised Code) · Verified on October 23, 2026
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How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
30 days
You or the landlord may end or not renew a month-to-month tenancy with notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date (7 days week to week).
What the law says · Ohio Rev. Code §5321.17(B)
“Except as provided in division (C) of this section, the landlord or the tenant may terminate or fail to renew a month-to-month tenancy by notice given the other at least thirty days prior to the periodic rental date.”
Source: Ohio Legislative Service Commission (Ohio Revised Code) · Verified on October 23, 2026
Protections
Protections the law gives you
We show only what state law says, with its citation. Your city may give you more protections.
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Only a court order can remove you
Yes: state law says so
No landlord may shut off utilities, exclude you from the home or threaten an unlawful act to recover possession outside the court process. A landlord who does is liable for all damages and your attorney fees.
What the law says · Ohio Rev. Code §5321.15(A)
“No landlord of residential premises shall initiate any act, including termination of utilities or services, exclusion from the premises, or threat of any unlawful act, against a tenant, or a tenant whose right to possession has terminated, for the purpose of recovering possession of residential premises, other than as provided in Chapters 1923., 5303., and 5321. of the Revised Code.”
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Protection from retaliation
Yes: state law says so
A landlord may not raise your rent, cut services or sue for possession in retaliation because you complained to an agency about a code violation affecting health or safety, complained to the landlord about failing its duties, or organized with other tenants. You may raise it as a defense.
What the law says · Ohio Rev. Code §5321.02(A)
“Subject to section 5321.03 of the Revised Code, a landlord may not retaliate against a tenant by increasing the tenant's rent, decreasing services that are due to the tenant, or bringing or threatening to bring an action for possession of the tenant's premises because: (1) The tenant has complained to an appropriate governmental agency of a violation of a building, housing, health, or safety code that is applicable to the premises, and the violation materially affects health and safety; (2) The tenant has complained to the landlord of any violation of section 5321.04 of the Revised Code; (3) The tenant joined with other tenants for the purpose of negotiating or dealing collectively with the landlord on any of the terms and conditions of a rental agreement.”
Eviction
How an eviction works in Ohio
Step by step, with the time periods the law sets. No landlord can skip the court.
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3-day notice to leave the premises
at least 3 days
What the law says · Ohio Rev. Code §1923.04(A)
“a party desiring to commence an action under this chapter shall notify the adverse party to leave the premises, for the possession of which the action is about to be brought, three or more days before beginning the action”
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Complaint and summons, served at least 7 days before the trial date
at least 7 days
What the law says · Ohio Rev. Code §1923.06(A)
“Any summons in an action, including a claim for possession, pursuant to this chapter shall be issued, be in the form specified, and be served and returned as provided in this section. Such service shall be at least seven days before the day set for trial.”
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After judgment, the sheriff or bailiff executes the writ within 10 days of receiving it
up to 10 days
What the law says · Ohio Rev. Code §1923.14(A)
“within ten days after receiving a writ of execution described in division (A) or (B) of section 1923.13 of the Revised Code, the sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff shall execute it by restoring the plaintiff to the possession of the premises”
Frequently asked questions
How much can a landlord charge for a deposit in Ohio?
Ohio law sets no maximum for the security deposit. What §5321.16(A) does say is that any deposit above $50 or one month's rent (whichever is greater) earns 5 percent yearly interest on the excess if you stay 6 months or more. (Ohio Rev. Code §5321.16(A))
When must a deposit be returned in Ohio?
Within 30 days after the agreement ends and you deliver possession, the landlord must give you an itemized written notice of deductions and the balance of the deposit. You must give your forwarding address in writing; otherwise you lose the right to damages and attorney fees. (Ohio Rev. Code §5321.16(B))
What notice is required for late rent in Ohio?
Before filing the eviction, the landlord must notify you to leave at least 3 days ahead, by certified mail, in person or by leaving the notice at the home. The notice must include the statutory sentence recommending that you seek legal assistance. (Ohio Rev. Code §1923.04(A))
How much notice ends a month-to-month rental in Ohio?
You or the landlord may end or not renew a month-to-month tenancy with notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date (7 days week to week). (Ohio Rev. Code §5321.17(B))
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
Pending
What is left to verify
We have not yet verified these Ohio rules in the law with their citation, so we do not show them. If you need them today, ask for free legal aid.
- Are there limits on late fees? Not verified yet
- How much notice before a rent increase? Not verified yet
- Protection related to immigration status Not verified yet
- Repair and deduct from the rent Not verified yet