Ohio

Tenant/Landlord Rights and Obligations Ohio

What are my rights as a tenant? 

You are a tenant if you occupy or possess the residential property of another under a rental agreement.
As long as you do what the rental agreement and/or the law requires you to do, you have the right of exclusive possession of the property until the lease expires.

• You have the right to complain to a governmental agency about your landlord’s violation of housing laws or regulations that affect health and safety.

• You have the right to complain to your landlord for failing to perform any legal duties. If you complain and the landlord retaliates by increasing rent, decreasing services or seeking to evict you for taking such action, the landlord has violated the law. 
Save on Greenies for your Pet's Dental Health, up to 40% off Retail Store Prices

There are legal remedies to stop or punish retaliation, including lease termination and the right to recover damages and attorneys’ fees.
• You have the right to join with other tenants to bargain with your landlord about lease terms.
• You have the right to know the name and address of the owner of your residential premises and the owner’s agent, 

if applicable. This information must appear in your written lease or be given to you in writing at the beginning of your tenancy if the lease is oral. If your landlord fails to provide this information, you do not have to notify your landlord before you escrow your rent with the court. 

The county auditor also maintains records on the owners of residential properties.
• You have a right of privacy, which the landlord must respect. The landlord may enter your apartment after reasonable notice 

Free Shipping on All Orders over $59. Pet Health USA, Where Pet Parents Shop! (at least 24 hours) for certain legitimate reasons and without notice in certain emergency situations.
• If you breach your lease, the landlord may not seize your furnishings or possessions to recover rent payments.

• Within 30 days following receipt of a written complaint from you about the premises, the landlord must make the appropriate repairs. Conditions that significantly affect health and safety must be remedied in fewer than 30 days and may require immediate action by the landlord in the case of emergency.

If the landlord fails to make repairs within a reasonable amount of time (not more than 30 days), you may have the right to get a court order for repairs to be made, obtain a court-ordered reduction in rent or terminate the lease. You also may have the right to escrow your rent.

Buy More Save More, Buy $200 Save $25 with checkout code SUPERPETWhat does escrowing rent mean?Escrowing your rent means that you deposit your rental payments with the clerk of the municipal or county court, depending on where you live, instead of paying your landlord. If your rent is due on the first of the month and you give your landlord the written notice of your complaint on the 15th,

then you still must pay rent to the landlord—and not the clerk—on the first day of the following month.
You can escrow your rent only after having waited the full 30 days 

(unless there is an emergency such as lack of heat in the winter or lack of water). You must deposit your rent into escrow at the same time you would normally pay your rent. Warning: If you do not follow the proper escrow procedure,  you can be evicted

You may NOT escrow your rent if:

o  you are not current in your rental payments (escrowing rent when you are not current could result in being evicted and losing the money in escrow to your landlord); 

or  you received written notice when you moved in that the landlord owns three or fewer dwelling units.

What are my obligations as a tenant? As a tenant, you must meet the following obligations:
• Comply with the standards imposed by all state and local housing, health and safety codes.

• Refrain from and prevent family, friends or guests from damaging the rental premises.
• Keep the premises safe and sanitary.
• Keep plumbing fixtures in the dwelling unit as clean as their condition permits.
• Dispose of all garbage in a safe and sanitary manner.

• Operate all electrical and plumbing fixtures properly.
• If the landlord has provided appliances, you must keep them clean and use them appropriately.  Promptly tell your landlord if your appliances need repair.
• Do not disturb, or allow your guests to disturb, your neighbors.

• Do not, and do not permit your guests to, intentionally or negligently destroy, deface, damage or remove any fixture, appliance or other part of the premises.
• Allow your landlord reasonable access (upon 24 hours’ notice) 

to the premises to inspect, make repairs or show the property to prospective buyers or renters. Twenty-four hours of notice is not required in emergencies, or for the delivery of large parcels by the landlord, or upon agreement with the landlord.

• Do not allow controlled substances (such as drugs) to be present on the property.
• Do not allow sexual predators to occupy the unit if the unit is located within 1,000 feet of a school, preschool or child daycare center.
The tenant cannot change any of these legal duties. However, the landlord may agree to assume responsibility for fulfilling any of these tenant duties.

Little Gifts for your Beloved Pet Son or Daughter, up to 70% off Retail Store Prices

What are my rights as a landlord?
If you own rental property and permit another to use, occupy or possess your residential premises for a period in return for money or something of value, you are a landlord.
• You can rent your property for any amount you wish. Unless you have a written or oral lease that provides for a fixed rent for the lease term, you can increase rents in any amount if you give adequate notice (usually 30 days).

• Subject to the provisions of U.S. and Ohio anti-discrimination statutes, you may rent to anyone you wish and establish any conditions and terms in a rental contract that do not conflict with federal or state law. You may refuse to rent to anyone, provided you do not

discriminate against a tenant because of the tenant’s race, color, religion, sex, military status, disability or family status, ancestry or national origin.
• You may evict the tenant for nonpayment of rent or for breaking any significant term of the lease. You must give the tenant written notice of your intent to file an eviction action before you file such an action in court. 

For nonpayment of rent, you must give the notice at least three days before filing the eviction or the court will dismiss the case. In other cases, you must give the tenant 30 days to correct the violation before you can begin an eviction action. Do not count the day you give the notice or weekends and holidays, and wait until after the third day before you file.

• If a tenant violates the law in a way that materially affects health and safety, you must notify the tenant in writing and give the tenant 30 days to resolve the problem before you file an eviction.
• After reasonable notice to the tenant (24 hours is considered reasonable), 

5% Off Your Order with checkout code: PETHLTHyou have the right to enter the premises to inspect, repair, make improvements, supply services, or show the property.

• You have the right to have your property returned to you in as good a condition as it was when the tenant took possession, except for ordinary wear and tear. ohiobar.org