Landlord-tenant law

Ohio Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notice periods, lease termination requirements, and late fee rules for Ohio.

Not legal advice. Current as of May 2026. Verify with a local attorney before any compliance decision.

$
Security Deposit Max
No statutory limit (Hemlane cites 'no limit'; some secondary sources incorrectly cite 1 month — no cap exists in O.R.C. § 5321.16)
Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16
↩
Deposit Return Deadline
30 days
Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B)
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Non-Payment Eviction Notice
3-day notice to pay or quit
Ohio Rev. Code § 1923.02(A)(9)
✕
Month-to-Month Termination
30 days
Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17(B)
¢
Late Fee Cap
No statutory cap (must be reasonable and stated in lease)
⏱
Grace Period
No statutory grace period
Ohio specific notes

Ohio requires interest on deposits held for more than 6 months at a rate set annually by the Ohio Tax Commissioner. Columbus and Cincinnati have some local tenant-protection ordinances — verify local rules. Note: some data sources incorrectly list Ohio's deposit max as 1 month; Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16 imposes no statutory maximum.

FAQ

Common Ohio landlord questions

What is the maximum security deposit in Ohio?+
No statutory limit (Hemlane cites 'no limit'; some secondary sources incorrectly cite 1 month — no cap exists in O.R.C. § 5321.16). Governed by Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16. Deposit must be returned within 30 days after the lease ends.
What notice is required to evict a tenant in Ohio for non-payment of rent?+
3-day notice to pay or quit. Per Ohio Rev. Code § 1923.02(A)(9). This is the notice period before a landlord can file an eviction lawsuit.
How much notice to end a month-to-month tenancy in Ohio?+
30 days. Per Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17(B). This applies to no-cause terminations of month-to-month leases.
Are late fees regulated in Ohio?+
No statutory cap (must be reasonable and stated in lease). Grace period: No statutory grace period. Even where no statutory cap exists, late fees must be reasonable and clearly disclosed in the lease.
References

Authoritative sources for Ohio

Compare

See how Ohio stacks up

Deposit Limits — All 50
Side-by-side max deposit and return deadlines.
Eviction Notice — All 50
Notice periods for non-payment and termination.
Late Fee Laws — All 50
Caps and grace periods.
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