Information for Landlords & Tenants

Initial Agreement

Agreement, known as leases can be written or oral or implied by the tenant making rental payments to the landlord and the landlord permitting the tenant to have use of their property-each of these types of leases are permitted under Ohio law. If at any time lease language is contrary to the law, the law will override the lease.

Rent Escrow

Instead of simply withholding rent when repairs are not made in a timely manner, tenants must follow a legal procedure called escrow, meaning rent is payed to the clerk of courts instead of the landlord, if their landlord does not make the proper repairs to the dwelling. The proper rent escrow procedure is as follows:

• Pay your rent up to date
• Give a written notice to the landlord listing the repairs needed and send the notice by Certified Mail to the place where rent is normally paid (being sure to keep two copies)
• If the landlord does not make the repairs within 30 days, or a reasonable time in the case of an emergency, whichever is shorter, the tenant can:
  • Escrow rent by depositing it with the clerk of the appropriate municipal or county court
  • Ask the court to direct that the repairs be made, to reduce the rent, and to release some of the money for making repairs
  • End the agreement and move out

Reasons a Tenant Can Be Evicted

• Tenants’ failure to pay rent when it is due
• Tenants’ complain to a government agency about housing violations which were really caused by the tenant or their guests
• The landlord’s compliance with housing law would require alteration or demolition of the building which would deprive the tenant of effective use of the premises
• The lease has expired
• The tenant violated important terms of the lease
• The tenant failed to comply with proper notice to correct situations which affect health and safety
• The tenant refuses to permit the landlord reasonable access to the unit