Cleveland, OH asked in Landlord - Tenant for Ohio

Q: I no longer am in a lease, can my landlord change the locks without giving me written notice first?

We are behind on rent and my landlord said if we aren't current by next weekend he will be over to change the locks. We are no longer in a written lease, we have lived her for 3 years.

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1 Lawyer Answer
Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
Answered
  • Landlord Tenant Lawyer
  • Cincinnati, OH
  • Licensed in Ohio

A: That would be an improper lockout, and you could sue landlord if he did it. But there is nothing to physically stop landlord from doing it while you are gone. You could then call a locksmith and change them back to regain entry. Landlord might then report it as a break-in. If the police were called, they probably would not get involved, but they could. If your lease has expired, you are a month to month tenant, and your occupancy can be terminated at the end of any month by landlord giving you 30 days written notice. So notice given now would terminate your occupancy on Dec. 31. If you are behind in rent, landlord only has to give a 3 day notice, and then can file an eviction. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local attorney to contact landlord on your behalf, and advise the proper lease termination process, and that if landlord locks you out, you will sue.

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