Not legal advice. This is a free reference compiled from official government sources. Laws change and local details matter. Confirm every deadline with the official source or a licensed attorney before you rely on it.

Last verified: 2026-10-24 · Confidence: high

Columbus, OH landlord deadlines

City rules for Columbus, which add to Ohio statewide rules and federal rules. Official site: columbus.legistar.com.

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Topic guides for Columbus

Local rules (Columbus)

Rental registry: update within 30 days after information changes, a sale, or a property starts being rented Verified

Deadline: Within 30 days after registry information changes, the property is sold (new owner re-registers) or a property is first used as a rental

Update the registration within 30 calendar days after any required information changes. A new owner must re-register within 30 days of the transfer, and a property that newly becomes a rental must be registered within 30 days.

Applies to: any number of units · Layer: Columbus, OH · Topic: Rental registration and licensing

"The Owner or Local Operator must update their registration within thirty (30) calendar days of the date that any required information has changed."
columbus.legistar.com

"If a Residential Rental Property is sold to a new owner, the new owner must re-register the property within thirty (30) days of the transfer in ownership."
columbus.legistar.com

"A new Residential Rental Property must be registered in accordance with this section within thirty (30) days of being used as a Residential Rental Property."
columbus.legistar.com

Notes: Columbus City Code 4515.05(B)-(D) (Ordinance 0923-2026).

Last verified 2026-10-24 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

Residential Rental Registry: register every rental property for 2027 between October 1 and December 31, 2026, then each calendar year ($15 per unit, max $1,500 per complex) Verified

Deadline: Due December 31, 2026 (window opens October 1)

Columbus City Code Chapter 4515 (Ordinance 0923-2026) creates a registry of residential rental properties starting with calendar year 2027. Owners or local operators must submit an application for each calendar year; the first registration window runs October 1 through December 31, 2026. The fee is $15 per unit, up to $1,500 per complex. Registered properties are subject to a preventative education inspection every three years.

Applies to: any number of units · Layer: Columbus, OH · Topic: Rental registration and licensing

"The Registry of Residential Rental Properties will be established starting with the 2027 calendar year with initial registration required beginning October 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026."
columbus.legistar.com

"The Owner or Local Operator of a Residential Rental Property shall submit an application in the form and manner provided by the Department for each calendar year."
columbus.legistar.com

"the fee to register a Residential Rental Property is $15.00 per unit with a maximum of $1,500.00 per complex"
columbus.legistar.com

Notes: Columbus City Code 4515.04 and Section 2 of Ordinance 0923-2026 (status: passed), from the City of Columbus legislative record (columbus.legistar.com). The ordinance requires an application for each calendar year but does not set a due date for 2028 and later years, so only the 2026 window is dated; check the Department of Building and Zoning Services for later deadlines. Some properties are exempt under 4515.04(A).

Last verified 2026-10-24 · Confidence: high · Status: verified · Report a correction

Ohio statewide rules that also apply

Ohio statewide rules
Rule	Deadline	Confidence
Within 30 days after the lease ends and possession is returned: return the deposit with an itemized written list of deductions	Within 30 days after move-out	high
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	Once a year (no date in the statute; the calendar uses the lease anniversary, computed)	medium
Register residential rental property with the county auditor; update within 60 days of changes	File with the county auditor; update within 60 days after any change (or within 60 days after the auditor's notice)	high
Written lease must name the owner and any agent with addresses	In every written rental agreement; for oral agreements, by written notice at the start of the tenancy	high
3-day notice to leave the premises before filing an eviction	At least 3 days before filing an eviction (forcible entry and detainer) action	high
End a month-to-month tenancy with 30 days' notice before the rent date (7 days for week-to-week)	At least 30 days before the lease ends (7 days for week-to-week tenancy)	high
24 hours' notice before entry is presumed reasonable	At least 24 hours before each non-emergency entry	high

Federal rules that also apply

Federal rules (all states)
Rule	Deadline	Confidence
Lead-based paint disclosure and EPA pamphlet before lease signing (pre-1978 housing)	Before the tenant is obligated under the lease (before signing / before accepting an offer to lease)	high
Signed lead disclosure attachment with lease; keep for 3 years	Keep the signed disclosure for at least 3 years from the lease start; the date shown is the earliest you may discard it	high
Report rental income/expenses on Schedule E with Form 1040	Due April 15, 2027 with your 2026 Form 1040; if that falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the next business day	medium
Federal estimated tax payment #1 due April 15	Every year by April 15 (next business day if that date is a weekend or legal holiday)	high
Federal estimated tax payment #2 due June 15	Every year by June 15 (next business day if that date is a weekend or legal holiday)	high
Federal estimated tax payment #3 due September 15	Every year by September 15 (next business day if that date is a weekend or legal holiday)	high
Federal estimated tax payment #4 due January 15 (for the previous tax year)	Every year by January 15 (next business day if that date is a weekend or legal holiday)	high
E-file your 1099s if you file 10 or more information returns in a year (the IRS IRIS portal is free)	Ongoing requirement with no fixed date	high
File and furnish Form 1099-NEC for 2026 contractor payments of $2,000+	Due January 31, 2027 (for 2026 payments); if that falls on a weekend or legal holiday, the next business day	high
File Form 1099-MISC with the IRS for 2026 payments (February 28 on paper, March 31 if e-filed)	Due February 28, 2027 if you file on paper, or March 31, 2027 if you file electronically (next business day if the date is a weekend or legal holiday)	high
Furnish Form 1099-MISC to recipients for 2026 rents and other payments of $2,000+	Due January 31, 2027 (next business day if that date is a weekend or legal holiday)	high

Same topics elsewhere

Rental registration and licensing in every covered place