Ohio Eviction Laws and Eviction Process

A reference of Ohio Eviction Laws, and steps of the Ohio eviction process for landlords and renters, updated 2021.

• What are the reasons that landlords can evict tenants under Ohio eviction laws?
  • Nonpayment of rent (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §1923.02)
  • Health or safety hazard violation (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §5321.11)
  • Non-compliance with the lease agreement (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §1923.02)
  • The tenant remains in possession of the dwelling unit after the occupancy period without the landlord’s permission (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §5321.17)

• What notice do Ohio eviction laws require that landlords provide tenants before starting the eviction process?
  • For evictions based on non-payment of rent, the landlord must provide a 3-day notice. (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §1923.02).
  • For evictions based on a violation of a health or safety hazard rule, the landlord must provide a 30-day notice. (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §5321.11).
  • For evictions based on non-compliance with the lease, the landlord must provide a 3-day notice. no notice is required. (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §5321.11) 
• The landlord can end a month-to-month tenancy by providing a 30-day notice. (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §5321.17).

• Do Ohio eviction laws allow landlords to use “self-help eviction” methods, such as locking a tenant out of the rental unit or shutting off the utilities? 
  • No. Ohio law prohibits self-help measures, such as terminating essential services, excluding the tenant from the rental unit, threatening any unlawful act, or taking the tenant’s property. A landlord can seek compensation for the damages they have sustained and reasonable attorneys’ fees. (Ohio Rev. Code Ann. §5321.15).
    

Eviction Process in Ohio: Step-by-Step

The eviction process in Ohio involves the following steps:

1. The landlord serves the eviction notice. The landlord must serve the appropriate type of eviction notice on the tenant that states that the tenant violated the terms of the lease before they can initiate the eviction process in Ohio. 
2. The landlord files an eviction lawsuit. The landlord files a Complaint that states the reason why the landlord is seeking an eviction against their tenant. Each county or municipality has its own specific forms it uses. The landlord must also pay the filing fee and legally serving the tenant with the legal documents.
3. Tenant answers. The tenant can file a written answer within seven days of receiving the complaint and summons to respond to the complaint against them.
4. Parties attend the eviction hearing. The parties attend the hearing and present their case. If the tenant does not appear or the court rules in the landlord’s favor, the court issues a Writ of Execution on behalf of the landlord. 
5. The tenant is removed from the property. If the tenant does not move out voluntarily, the landlord can provide the writ of execution to the local sheriff to have the tenant physically removed from the premises. 

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