Ohio landlord deadlines

Within 30 days after the lease ends and possession is returned: return the deposit with an itemized written list of deductions Verified

Deadline: Within 30 days after move-out

Within 30 days after the rental agreement ends and the tenant delivers possession, deliver a written notice itemizing any deductions (past-due rent and damages from the tenant's noncompliance) together with the amount due.

Applies to: any number of units, when you hold a security deposit · Layer: Ohio · Topic: Security deposit return

Who it covers: The tenant must give a forwarding address in writing; without it the tenant cannot recover damages or attorney fees. Wrongful withholding: the amount withheld plus an equal amount in damages, plus attorney fees.

"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."
codes.ohio.gov

"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."
codes.ohio.gov

Notes: Ohio Revised Code 5321.16(B), (C).

Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

5% yearly interest on the part of a deposit above $50 or one month's rent (whichever is greater), for tenancies of 6+ months; pay annually Verified

Deadline: Once a year (no date in the statute; the calendar uses the lease anniversary, computed)

If the deposit is larger than $50 or one month's rent, whichever is greater, and the tenant stays 6 months or more, pay 5% per year interest on the excess, computed and paid to the tenant every year.

Applies to: any number of units, when you hold a security deposit · Layer: Ohio · Topic: Security deposit interest

Who it covers: Interest is owed only on the excess over the greater of $50 or one month's periodic rent. A deposit of one month's rent or less earns no statutory interest.

"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."
codes.ohio.gov

Notes: ORC 5321.16(A). The statute says 'annually' without fixing a date; the calendar uses the lease anniversary as a reasonable schedule (computed).

Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: medium · Status: verified · Report a correction

Register residential rental property with the county auditor; update within 60 days of changes Verified

Deadline: File with the county auditor; update within 60 days after any change (or within 60 days after the auditor's notice)

File the owner's name, address and phone number, the property's street address and parcel number, and for an entity owner a responsible person's contact details, with the county auditor where the rental is located. Update the information within 60 days after any change.

Applies to: any number of units · Layer: Ohio · Topic: Rental registration and licensing

Who it covers: Entity owners must also list a trustee, partner, member, manager or officer. In counties over 200,000 people the auditor sends notice, and the owner must comply within 60 days of that notice. Cities such as Cleveland add their own registration.

"An owner of residential rental property shall file with the county auditor of the county in which the property is located the following information:"
codes.ohio.gov

"An owner of residential rental property shall update the information required under division (A) of this section within sixty days after any change in the information occurs."
codes.ohio.gov

Notes: ORC 5323.02 (as amended by HB 96, effective September 30, 2025).

Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

Written lease must name the owner and any agent with addresses Verified

Deadline: In every written rental agreement; for oral agreements, by written notice at the start of the tenancy

Every written rental agreement must contain the name and address of the owner and any agent; with an oral agreement, give the tenant this in writing at the start. Otherwise certain tenant notice requirements to you are waived.

Applies to: any number of units · Layer: Ohio · Topic: Required tenant notices

"Every written rental agreement for residential premises shall contain the name and address of the owner and the name and address of the owner's agent, if any."
codes.ohio.gov

"If the rental agreement is oral, the landlord, at the commencement of the term of occupancy, shall deliver to tenant a written notice containing the information required in division (A) of this section."
codes.ohio.gov

Notes: ORC 5321.18.

Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

3-day notice to leave the premises before filing an eviction Verified

Deadline: At least 3 days before filing an eviction (forcible entry and detainer) action

Before filing an eviction case, serve a written notice to leave the premises three or more days ahead, by certified mail (return receipt requested), by hand, or by leaving it at the tenant's home or the premises.

Applies to: any number of units · Layer: Ohio · Topic: Non-renewal and termination notice

"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,"
codes.ohio.gov

Notes: ORC 1923.04(A).

Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

End a month-to-month tenancy with 30 days' notice before the rent date (7 days for week-to-week) Verified

Deadline: At least 30 days before the lease ends (7 days for week-to-week tenancy)

To end or not renew a month-to-month tenancy, give notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date; for week-to-week, at least 7 days before the termination date.

Applies to: any number of units · Layer: Ohio · Topic: Non-renewal and termination notice

"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."
codes.ohio.gov

"the landlord or the tenant may terminate or fail to renew a week-to-week tenancy by notice given the other at least seven days prior to the termination date specified in the notice."
codes.ohio.gov

Notes: ORC 5321.17(A), (B).

Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

24 hours' notice before entry is presumed reasonable Verified

Deadline: At least 24 hours before each non-emergency entry

Except in an emergency or where impracticable, give the tenant reasonable notice of your intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times; 24 hours is presumed reasonable.

Applies to: any number of units · Layer: Ohio · Topic: Notice before entry

Who it covers: No notice needed in an emergency or where impracticable. Unlawful or harassing entry lets the tenant recover damages and attorney fees or end the lease.

"Except in the case of emergency or if it is impracticable to do so, give the tenant reasonable notice of the landlord's intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times. Twenty-four hours is presumed to be a reasonable notice in the absence of evidence to the contrary."
codes.ohio.gov

Notes: ORC 5321.04(A)(8), (B).

Last verified 2026-10-20 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction