Laws by state / Ohio

Ohio landlord and tenant rules

The figures that decide most disputes between Ohio landlords and tenants, each with a calculator and the statute behind it.

Verified against the statutes 2026-10-22By RentByState Research

Rule	Ohio	Statute	Tool
Maximum security deposit	No statutory limit	Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16	Deposit rules
Deposit return deadline	Itemized deductions and refund within 30 days after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession; tenant must provide a forwarding address in writing	Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16	Deposit rules
Interest on the deposit	Required	Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16	Ohio interest calculator
Maximum late fee	No statutory cap	Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 (no late-fee provision)	Late fee calculator
Landlord notice, month-to-month	30 days	Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17; § 1923.04	Notice calculator
Tenant notice, month-to-month	30 days	Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17; § 1923.04	Notice calculator
Rent increase notice	No statute	Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17; § 1923.04	Notice calculator
Pay-or-quit notice	3 days	Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17; § 1923.04	Notice calculator
Rent increase cap	None statewide

Security deposits in Ohio

Ohio sets no statutory limit on the size of a security deposit. The deposit must be returned itemized deductions and refund within 30 days after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession; tenant must provide a forwarding address in writing, with an itemised list of any deductions. Ohio is one of the states that requires interest on the deposit. Interest is required only on the portion of a deposit exceeding the greater of $50 or one month's rent, at 5% per year, if the tenant stays six months or more; computed and paid annually. Wrongful withholding: damages equal to the amount withheld plus attorney fees. Text read via Wayback Machine copy of codes.ohio.gov. Full deposit rules and move-out checklist.

Late fees in Ohio

Ohio sets no statutory cap on late fees. The amount is whatever the lease says, subject to the general rule that it must not be an unconscionable penalty. There is no statutory grace period, so the lease controls when the fee starts. Calculate the maximum fee.

Notice periods in Ohio

A Ohio landlord must give 30 days’ written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy, and the tenant must give the same. There is no separate statutory notice period for rent increases; the month-to-month termination notice is the practical minimum. For nonpayment, the landlord must serve a 3-day notice to pay or quit before filing for eviction. Calculate the effective date of a notice.

Deposit interest in Ohio

Ohio: 5% per year on the excess over one month’s rent (or $50). Every residential landlord in Ohio, but only on the portion of the deposit above the greater of $50 or one month’s rent, and only if the tenant stays six months or more.

Sources

Frequently asked questions

How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Ohio?

There is no statutory cap in Ohio; the market and the lease decide. Interest is required only on the portion of a deposit exceeding the greater of $50 or one month's rent, at 5% per year, if the tenant stays six months or more; computed and paid annually. Wrongful withholding: damages equal to the amount withheld plus attorney fees. Text read via Wayback Machine copy of codes.ohio.gov.

What is the maximum late fee for rent in Ohio?

There is no statutory maximum in Ohio. No statutory cap or grace period for residential late fees in Ohio; courts enforce only reasonable fees (unreasonable fees may be struck as penalties). The most common lease figure nationally is 5% of monthly rent, and courts in no-cap states generally accept fees in that range while rejecting ones that look like penalties.

How much notice does a landlord have to give a tenant to move out in Ohio?

30 days’ written notice for a month-to-month tenancy. At least 30 days' notice before the periodic rental date by either party (7 days for week-to-week)

How long is a pay-or-quit notice in Ohio?

3 days. The tenant can stop the eviction by paying the full amount within that time.