Ohio Landlord-Tenant Law
Know your rights as a renter in Ohio. This guide covers security deposits, landlord entry, rent increases, eviction protections, and more under Ohio law.
Legal basis: Ohio landlord-tenant law — Ohio Revised Code
30
Days to Return Deposit
No statewide limit
Max Deposit
Reasonable
Entry Notice
Not Required
Deposit Escrow
What Ohio law says about deposits
Maximum Deposit
No statewide limit
Return Deadline
30 daysafter the rental agreement ends and possession is returned
Penalties, interest & late-fee rules under Ohio law
If your deposit is wrongfully or late returned
Tenant may recover the deposit plus damages and attorney fees.
Interest on your deposit is required
5% a year, but only on the part of the deposit above $50 or one month's rent, whichever is greater, and only when the tenant stays 6 months or more. A deposit at or under one month's rent earns no interest (ORC 5321.16(A)).
Grace period
No mandatory grace period
Must be in the lease
Yes — a late fee is only enforceable if it is written into your lease
Your privacy protections
Required Notice Period
Reasonable notice
24 hours is presumed reasonable (Ohio Rev. Code 5321.04(A)(8))
In Ohio, this notice is not a fixed minimum: 24 hours is only presumed reasonable.
Exceptions: Landlords may enter without notice in cases of emergency (fire, flooding, etc.) or if you've abandoned the property.
No notice statute; no caps
Legal basis: No Statute
Reasonable time, 30 days at most
Legal basis: Ohio Rev. Code §§ 5321.04, 5321.07
Protected
Legal basis: ORC § 5321.02
No statewide early-exit law
Legal basis: No state statute
Self-help illegal
Legal basis: ORC § 5321.15
Important facts about Ohio rental law
Ohio has no statewide limit on security deposits.
Ohio landlords must return deposits within 30 days of move-out.
Ohio landlords must provide written notice of any deposit deductions.
Ohio tenants have a right to a habitable dwelling under the Ohio Landlord-Tenant Act.
Something else? Contact our team
Ohio does not have a statutory limit on security deposits.
Ohio landlords must return security deposits within 30 days after you move out (after the rental agreement ends and possession is returned).
In Ohio, landlords must give reasonable notice before entering your rental unit (24 hours is presumed reasonable (Ohio Rev. Code 5321.04(A)(8))).
Late fees in Ohio: No statutory cap — must be reasonable. No mandatory grace period.
No notice statute; no caps. No Ohio statute sets how much notice a landlord must give before raising rent. Either side can end a month-to-month tenancy with notice at least 30 days before the rent date (R.C. 5321.17(B)). No statewide cap, and local governments may not impose rent control (R.C. 5321.19). Source: No Statute.
Reasonable time, 30 days at most. Landlord must keep the home fit and habitable and supply running water, hot water and reasonable heat (ORC 5321.04(A)). Send written notice to wherever you normally pay rent (ORC 5321.07(A)). Landlord must fix it within a reasonable time for its severity, and no later than 30 days (ORC 5321.07(B)). If not fixed and you are current on rent: deposit rent with the court clerk, ask the court to order repairs or lower rent, or end the lease (ORC 5321.07(B)). Not available if the landlord has 3 or fewer units and says so in writing, or for student tenants (ORC 5321.07(C), (D)). Source: Ohio Rev. Code §§ 5321.04, 5321.07.
Protected. Retaliation prohibited. Cannot evict for complaints. Document communications. Source: ORC § 5321.02.
No statewide early-exit law. Ohio has no statewide law that lets a domestic violence victim end a lease early. Bills to add one have been introduced but not passed. A court protection order may be able to order the abuser out of the home. If your home is federally assisted (public housing or a voucher), the federal Violence Against Women Act gives separate protections. A domestic violence hotline (1-800-799-7233) or legal aid can help you plan a safe move. Source: No state statute.
Self-help illegal. Self-help evictions illegal. Court process required. Utility shutoffs prohibited. Source: ORC § 5321.15.
Ohio tenants have rights including security deposit protections, notice requirements for landlord entry, habitability standards, and protections against retaliation. Use Honestkey to analyze your specific lease against Ohio law.
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