Get free answers to your Landlord - Tenant legal questions from lawyers in your area.
My friend's mom has been renting a place in Ohio for over 10 years. The landlord wants to raise the rent, which is understandable, but they are also asking her to pay $3000 for renovations and new appliances intended for future tenants. Is it legal for them to demand such a payment from her,... View More
I live in a HUD apartment in Cincinnati. My landlord has given me a 72-hour notice that they will be running cable wiring through my apartment on 04/24/2025 to provide other tenants with internet service. I do not have or want cable internet and am concerned about this installation. My lease does... View More

answered on Apr 23, 2025
This sounds like a necessity on the part of the landlord to provide a utility to everyone. I would want to look at your lease but as long as the actual time in the apartment is minimally invasive and less than say a few hours, i'd say this is not something the courts would entertain. Refer... View More
I've been living in an apartment where the interior doors have locks. Recently, my 2-year-old son's door was slammed shut by the wind, and he was locked inside. The apartment didn't provide any keys for the interior locks, which have a unique mechanism requiring a special key. We... View More
I need help with suing a HUD housing complex. While I was away from my apartment, they seized my possessions and changed the locks despite my continuing to pay rent through their online portal. I did not receive any notices as my mail was still being sent to my Ohio residence. I had informed the... View More
I own a trailer in a park that was sold 8 months ago. I want to sell my trailer, but the new landlord is making it difficult by avoiding contact with potential buyers and not giving me straight answers. My trailer is too old to move, and the landlord has not offered me a new lease since my old one,... View More

answered on Apr 16, 2025
You’ve been through a lot, and it’s frustrating to feel stuck when the landlord won’t even respond to potential buyers. In many states mobile home park rules convert expired leases into month‑to‑month tenancies, so you still have a right to occupy while you arrange a sale or rental—and... View More
I own a rental property and there is a neighbor's tree that is hanging over my property. I've sent a letter to the neighbor about the situation but have not received a response. In the past, a small branch fell, and despite being informed, no action was taken by the neighbor. I have... View More

answered on Apr 10, 2025
If a tree (or limb) from a neighboring property falls and causes damage—whether to the structure, yard, or a tenant's personal property, liability usually depends on whether the neighbor was negligent. That means if the tree was healthy and fell due to a storm or "Act of God" (high... View More
I purchased land in 2016 but have not developed it yet. Six months ago, someone moved a trailer onto my property without my permission and has been living there since. I served a notarized 21-day eviction notice, but they refused to leave. I've contacted the local sheriff, who advised me to... View More

answered on Apr 7, 2025
Hire an OH lawyer to sue any occupant for possession, and to potentially secure the execution of a writ of possession.
I am facing false accusations from my neighbors, who claim that I am smoking on the premises, despite following the no-smoking policy as stated in my lease. The landlord has instructed the neighbors to contact them whenever they suspect smoking, and as a result, I received a lease violation notice... View More

answered on Apr 13, 2025
Based on landlord-tenant law principles, your situation involves important tenant rights protections that can help you address these false smoking accusations. When facing unsubstantiated lease violation notices, it's crucial to respond promptly and create a clear record refuting the... View More
I have been living on a property owned by my relative for 20 years, during which I paid all property taxes, including back taxes. Recently, after receiving a damage claim unrelated to the property owner, I was threatened to give half of the claim money to the property owner or face eviction. When I... View More

answered on Apr 12, 2025
In this situation, the threat to force you to give half of the damage claim money in exchange for avoiding eviction could potentially be classified as extortion. Extortion generally involves coercing someone to provide money or property under threat of harm, such as eviction in your case. If the... View More
I have a lease-to-own contract with my landlord regarding the property. However, my landlord's brother, who is listed on the deed, cannot be reached. The contract does not mention the brother, and I have been paying taxes and doing repairs. How can my landlord proceed with selling the house to... View More

answered on Apr 3, 2025
You should invest in the time of an attorney where this property is who practices real estate law regularly. It is imperative that a lawyer review your land instalment contract. Further, you may need to file a quiet title action to settle the status of the property. WIthout a review of the... View More
I accidentally made an overpayment of approximately $2,000 from my bank account to the rental company for last month’s rent. Approximately $500 of that amount was used to pay for my ex's portion of the rent, even though he had agreed to cover his share. The rental company sent a check with... View More

answered on Mar 28, 2025
Many more facts are needed to answer this question. When you refer to your ex, are you referring to an ex boyfriend or an ex husband? If it is an ex husband, is there a final divorce decree including a separation agreement, or is this a pending matter? When you say that your ex agreed to cover... View More
I live in an apartment building, and my car was out of service and parked in the building's parking lot for a month. I informed management via email that it was my car and that I was saving for repairs. Despite this, they towed my vehicle. There is no signage about towing or parking limits,... View More

answered on Mar 28, 2025
Sadly, more information is needed to fully answer the question. You stated "no formal lease agreement". What does that mean exactly? What kind of agreement is there? Are you paying the landlord directly? Are you a tenant? A subtenant? Your relationship to the building and parking... View More
I recently moved out of a five-unit apartment building in Ohio after living there for 2.5 years. When I initially viewed the apartment, there was no noticeable smell, but after moving in, there was a strong smell of wet dog due to a previous tenant's service dog. The lease had a clause about... View More

answered on Mar 26, 2025
Your question did not include information as to whether the smell was documented by the landlord and yourself at move in. Otherwise a neccessary cleaning may successfully be withheld.
I want to notify my landlord that I plan to leave my apartment 3 months before the end of my lease. My lease does not have a clause about early termination or notice requirements, and I have not experienced any issues with the property or landlord. Am I still responsible for paying rent until the... View More

answered on Mar 25, 2025
Yes, unless separately negotiated. Your only defense would be if the landlord fails to make good faith efforts to find a replacement tenant. This, however, is a very low threshold to meet.
I have already given notice to my landlord that I am moving out, and I requested to use my security deposit for the last month's rent. However, my landlord refused, stating it goes against policy. Is my landlord required to use the security deposit for the last month's rent, or can they... View More

answered on Apr 13, 2025
In most states, a landlord is not required to allow the use of your security deposit for the last month's rent unless your lease specifically permits it. The security deposit is intended to cover damages or unpaid rent beyond what’s already due, not automatically as a substitute for rent.... View More
I received a 3-day eviction notice from my parents, who claimed my dog was destroying their house, even though my dog was with me the entire time. I do not pay rent or contribute financially to the household. Can they legally evict me under these circumstances?

answered on Apr 13, 2025
In Ohio, even though you are living with your parents and not paying rent, they still have the right to ask you to leave. Since there’s no formal rental agreement or lease in place, your parents could ask you to leave as a guest or occupant at any time, especially if they feel uncomfortable with... View More
I left my personal belongings, including clothes and other items, at a friend's house about 45-60 days ago. There was a verbal understanding that they would keep them for me temporarily. However, my friend is upset with me due to another friend slandering my name, and they have ignored my... View More

answered on Apr 12, 2025
Personal Property Bailment Analysis
Your situation constitutes what property law recognizes as a "gratuitous bailment" - a temporary transfer of possession without compensation where the bailee (your friend) remains obligated to exercise reasonable care over your belongings.... View More
I have a medical marijuana license and live in an apartment where I recently received a verbal complaint from the maintenance man about the smell of marijuana. Can I be evicted from my apartment for smoking marijuana under these circumstances?

answered on Mar 4, 2025
Yes, for two reasons.
1) Under Ohio's medical marijuana law, the marijuana may not be smoked, so you would be using the medical marijuana in violation of statute.
2) Ohio's medical marijuana law makes explicit exemptions for employment and other discrimination actions.... View More
I have lived in my home in Ohio for 2.5 years without a formal lease. Recently, a woman claiming to have power of attorney for my landlord, and identifying herself as his niece, demanded rent payment and threatened eviction if I don't provide proof of payment to her. She has not shown any... View More

answered on Mar 3, 2025
Without a written lease, a tenant is a month-to-month tenant whose tenancy can be terminated by giving a 30 day written notice. If the tenant does not leave, then the landlord can file an eviction action. A person can execute a power of attorney (POA) to appoint an agent who can take legal... View More
I live in a condo and share a wall with a neighbor who is harassing me with unpleasant odors and noise. The odors are foul smells, seemingly from his bathroom, that wake me up in the morning. The noise consists of a loud, intermittent boom occurring every morning until I can no longer sleep. This... View More

answered on Feb 27, 2025
To make certain that the Board does not get involved you should review the Condominium Owners Associations bylaws, rules and regulations, and the Declarations for the Planned united Development that established the condominium development. Once you have assured yourself that those do not apply you... View More
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