Here’s a fast summary of the most frequently arising issues in landlord tenant law. Leases can be written or oral. If you have a written lease, your landlord’s oral promises at or before the lease signing which are not in the lease are not enforceable. Just because your lease says something, doesn’t mean that a court will enforce it if it is unconscionable (meaning completely unfair), or if it violates the Ohio Landlord Tenant Act of 1974. In most cases, if your roommate runs out on you, your landlord will be able to come after the persons on the lease who stayed behind. Getting a job in another city does not allow you to break your lease.

You will be responsible for returning your apartment to your landlord in the same condition you got it, reasonable wear and tear excepted. When you move into an apartment, you should videotape the place. When you move out of an apartment, you should videotape the place. That way it’s not your word against the landlord on damages.

If you have problems during the year with your apartment, you need to communicate them in writing to the landlord. Keep copies of anything your landlord sends you or that you send your landlord. If your landlord fails to fix serious problems within 30 days of getting your written notices, you have the right to escrow your rent with the Court, and you may even have the right to move out. Your landlord will typically not be responsible for break ins and crime in the area.

Your landlord is not allowed to retaliate against you by evicting you for reporting him to the authorities for violations, nor can he evict you for organizing tenants in your building. Your landlord can only evict you via the statutorily authorized process found in Ohio Revised Code Section 1923 which involves giving you a chance to show up in Court to contest
the landlord’s allegations. This means that he can’t just change the locks while you are at work without violating the law. If your landlord wishes to enter and inspect the premises, he can do so, but he has to give you reasonable advance notice, usually at least 24 hours.

When you move out, if your landlord wrongfully keeps your security deposit, you can sue the landlord for double damages (twice the wrongfully withheld amount) plus attorneys fees if you gave him written notice of your forwarding address.

Don’t assume that your landlord knows anything more about landlord tenant law than you do, especially after reading this work. He will try to come off like he knows the law and your case is hopeless, but a great lawyer once told me never to take legal advice from opposing counsel.

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