Ohio Eviction and Landlord-Tenant Law by 
Every Tenant's Legal Guide by This guide is intended to provide basic information about residential evictions under Ohio's landlord-tenant laws.
Disclaimer: Hamilton County Law Library staff, as a service to its patrons, provides reference services and information, including these research guides. To protect the public interest, Ohio law requires that legal advice and services be rendered only by qualified attorneys who are subject to the guidelines of the courts. Library staff members do not interpret the law, provide legal advice, or explain court procedures. The information provided is not a substitute for legal advice from a licensed attorney. None of our services shall be construed as giving legal advice.
Below you will find some of the laws governing Ohio landlord-tenant law.
O.R.C. Chapter 5321 - Landlords and Tenants
O.R.C. Chapter 1923 - Forcible Entry and Detainer
Some specific laws related to evictions include, but are not limited to:
O.R.C. § 5321.03 - Action for Posession by Landlord
O.R.C. § 5321.11 - Failure of Tenant to Fulfill Obligations - remedies of landlord
O.R.C. § 5321.15 - Acts of Landlord Prohibited if Residential Property Involved (No lock-outs, termination of utilities or seizing of tenant's possession without a court order)
O.R.C. § 5321.17 - Termination of Tenancy
O.R.C. § 1923.02 - Persons Subject to Forcible Entry and Detainer Action
Below you will find some of the laws governing drug offenses in relation to Ohio's landlord-tenant laws.
O.R.C. § 5321.04(A)(9) - Landlord Obligations
O.R.C.§ 5321.05(A)(9) and (C)(2) - Tenant obligations (drug offenses and controlled substances)
O.R.C. § 5321.17(C) - Termination of tenancy (drug offenses)
O.R.C. § 1923.02(A)(6)(a)(i) - Persons subject to forcible entry and detainer action (drug offenses and controlled substances)
O.R.C. § 1923.051 - Judgment of restitution based on drug offenses taking place at leased premises.
Below you will find some of the laws governing notice requirements in eviction actions in Ohio.
O.R.C. § 5321.11 - Tenant obligations (30 day notice)
O.R.C. § 5321.17 - Termination of Tenancy
O.R.C. § 1923.04 - Notice - service.
Below you will find laws and rules establishing procedures for eviction actions in Ohio and Hamilton County.
O.R.C. Chapter 1923 - Forcible Entry and Detainer
Hamilton County Municipal Court Local Rules
Hamilton County Municipal Court Local Rules of Civil Procedure
Hamilton County Municipal Court Local Rules of Civil Procedure for evictions, rent escrow, objections and special process server.
Below you will find information about defenses and counterclaims to eviction actions under Ohio law.
O.R.C. § 1923.061 - Defenses/counterclaims
Many eviction defenses are provided by case law in Ohio. For a summary, see, Ohio Eviction and Landlord-Tenant Law (4th ed.) by Peter Iskin, available in the Hamilton County Law Library.
Below you will find general information about evictions in Ohio.
Tenant/Landlord Rights and Obligations - Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA)
Information about evictions - Ohio Legal Services
Eviction of month-month tenants in Ohio - OSBA Law You Can Use
Know about eviction procedures in Ohio - OSBA Law You Can Use
Below you will find information for tenants about their rights when their landlord is involved in a foreclosure.
Protecting Tenants at Foreclosure Act of 2009
Information for Tenants - Save the Dream Ohio
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