Ohio Landlord - Tenant Questions & Answers
Q: Do I owe $ to a LL that asked us to move out early to rent to new clients and the new clients backed out? We moved.
We didn’t have anything in writing about us ending the lease 2 months early but we complied and moved. A new contract was signed by the new tenants but we are told they backed out and now the LL wants the last two months rent from us despite the fact we moved at his request. This is in NJ.
If you don't pay, it is unlikely that landlord would sue you for that amount, but if landlord did sue you, then go to the hearing and testify that you and landlord agreed to an early termination. But instead of suing, landlord could make an adverse entry on your credit report, lowering your credit... Read more »
Q: I rented to someone they signed the lease took the keys and put utilities in there name now they want there money back.
They paid me 1500 and no deposit, was supposed to clean paint and fix things for deposit. Said the plumbing was bad and didn't want the place. Only thing was wrong was sink in bathroom. Told her I'd get plummer there. She walked thru the house and knew most of the the things that was wrong and... Read more »
If she really takes you to court, then attend the hearing and present a copy of the signed lease. If she moves out, you could counter-sue her for the unpaid rent for the remainder of the lease, minus any amounts you get if you re-rent.
Q: does a tenant have a legal right to argue a land contract that was not recorded in Ohio? tenant wants an extension
land contract in ohio, not recorded, owners want to evict and tenants want an extension based off of land contract was not recorded
No. In Ohio, the Seller must record the land contract within 20 days after the sale. If the Seller does not record, the Buyer should to protect her interest. The Buyer can go record the land contract now, should she choose. Under most land contracts, if the Buyer fails to comply with other terms,... Read more »
Q: Hi! I had a roommate drop out of school and leave the college house. He pays rent but refuses to pay for utilities.
The utilities were not included with rent. But under the utilities segment on our lease it shows that the person who is signing agrees to pay for them. Is he obligated to pay?
If he refuses to pay, you could sue him in small claims court. But even if you win, that merely gives you a judgment. Then you have to try to collect on the judgment by going to court again. The court filing fees for all that probably exceed what he owes.
Q: We got an eviction how do we go after our landlord for stealing electricity
The local utility can investigate that.
Q: My landlord says our fence isn't his obligation. Lease doesn't say it's not part of "premises". Refusing to repair. Help
Rented our home 4 years ago w a fenced in yard for our dog. Never had a late rent payment in fact installed a $3500 step in shower at our own expense. He refuses to fix our fence saying it is our responsibilty "read the lease". The lease does not it say this. It is part of the premises! He's... Read more »
If you and landlord cannot resolve it, then you can choose not to sign the lease today and continue to negotiate - risking that landlord won't sign it and will make you leave, or sign the lease and fix the fence yourself. If you sign the lease, you could start paying your rent on time each month... Read more »
Q: Can you evict someone that is not on a lease but has crash on and off at residence for 30 days
There are two people on the lease the other one is saying that I formally have to evict him because he's lived there for 30 days on and off does not have mail delivered there his ID does not show him living there at this point both tenants just want him to leave I need to know if I can give a 7 day... Read more »
You could treat the individual as having a non-oral lease on a week to week basis, and that can be terminated by giving a written notice 7 days before the termination date. If he is there after the termination date, you then have to give him a three day notice, file an eviction complaint, and... Read more »
Q: My landlord is trying to charge me for damages a month after I vacated. How long does she have to charge me and what for
Ohio
A landlord can sue for damages if they exceed the security deposit. The statute of limitation is several years, so she is well within the time to sue you. She would have to take evidence of the damage to court, such as photographs and invoices for having the work done. Try to work it out with... Read more »
Q: Landlord is trying to evict me because of $110 in late fees. also demanded more than the amount in lease agreement.
Rent is $800/month, and can be paid by the week, at $200/wk.
She then asked for an extra $200 because she "realized that there is an extra friday in the month. Was already told that she cannot legally do this, but she is now filing for eviction based on $110 in "late fees". Can she do... Read more »
If landlord files an eviction action, that is a permanent court record that cannot be erased, and can make it difficult to rent from a landlord who checks the records, and most do. So do what you must to try to work it out and avoid having landlord file an eviction, because even if the court... Read more »
Q: I put a deposit down on an apartment a month ago and still haven't received a lease.
I've always been the first one to contact him and ask about any update (application approval, status of lease etc). He has stated that I'll have the lease at the end of the week (didn't happen) or the following week (after the next time I reached out - still hasn't happened). He didn't even contact... Read more »
If you already moved in, getting the deposit back would be a problem. If you haven't, you would have to sue the landlord.
Q: Raw sewage come in my apt and this has been an on going problem and my things got damage, is the landlord responsible
I had raw sewage in my apt and I had to wait until over 24 hours until the maintenance guy came to clean it up and then he didn't clean it up right. Now this is a on going problem that I have been having since living there. My refrigerator went out also so my food went bad so I had to throw it out.... Read more »
With the excessive rainfall this spring, this is a common problem. You could sue the landlord for the cost of the damage, and the court would decide if landlord is liable, or if it is because of rain and beyond landlord's control. You can start paying your rent into escrow with the local court,... Read more »
Q: I was told DPL had to be put I’n my name so I did I have been in place for 8 months and always thought my bill so way
To high found out this month when bill came $930 for one month that I have been paying for the entire unit 3 apartments (2rented out) and an active business in the large garage that sits behind unit (mechanics garage). What steps should I take to get my money back DP&L says there is nothing they... Read more »
You'll have to resolve this with landlord if there is only one electric meter for the entire property and all the tenants. Landlord should be requiring each tenant to pay its fair share of the electric, or put in additional meters. Check with the local building department if it is a violation for... Read more »
Q: I am in need of some advise in regards to landlord tenant laws
it was my choice to vacate the unit in the middle of my lease but i am familiar with the landlord tenant laws where after vacating the unit the landlord only has 30 days to send an itemized account statement as to why i wasn't getting my security deposit back and to where it was being applied to... Read more »
Landlord is not entitled to collect double, so contact landlord to clear it up. If landlord doesn't send itemization within 30 days, tenant can sue for 2x the amount withheld plus attorney fees. Advise landlord of that to get it settled.
Q: Can I be charged rent when I don’t live in the apartment anymore?
I live in ohio and I resigned my lease for 2019/2020. I decided I didn’t want to live there anymore and found someone to take my lease. She can’t move in until August 19. She technically took my resigned lease and the lease I’m currently in ends 7/22/2019. But the office said I am responsible... Read more »
Tenant is obligated to pay rent until the end of the lease - unless landlord and tenant agree to an early termination. If tenant does not pay in full what landlord says is owed, then landlord can make an adverse credit report entry, lowering tenant's credit score. Landlord can also withhold the... Read more »
Q: Can landlord use security deposit if on a month 2 month and you give notice of moving. And you move within 30days
Tenant is obligated to pay rent on time each month, not skip that last month of rent for landlord to deduct from deposit. If tenant does that, landlord could file for eviction, which is a permanent court record, and can make it difficult for tenant to rent from a landlord who checks.
Q: Do I have the right to tell the landlord that I work and they can only enter my home when I am there?
You have the right to tell landlord that, but Ohio law permits landlord to enter after giving reasonable notice and in an emergency, and does not prohibit landlord from entering when tenant is not there.
Q: My landlord passed away and pretty sure his wife is going to sell the apartments we live in what rights do we have
If you have a written lease that landlord signed, then his wife and any purchaser must honor the terms of the lease. But if the lease does not give tenant the right to renew, then you could have to move when your lease expires if not renewed.
Q: Are landlords allowed to apply chemicals to the grass without informing the tenants?
Lawn services must leave a notice on the premises when they treat with chemicals. The notices often get removed. Landlord is not required to give any advance notice.
Q: Landlord remodeling after tenants leave early
If a tenant leaves a lease two months early (with two months notice) and the the landlord decides to perform extensive remodeling (not because of damages) for several weeks after they leave is it likely the landlord is making a reasonable effort to find new tenants when the house is not livable... Read more »
Probably not. But it would be up to the court to decide, based on all the evidence properly presented to the court. If it doesn't go to court, then tenant and landlord would have to work it out.
Q: Please see in more info
You didn't answer my question. Does a landlord have to disclose presence of bed bugs or roaches? Of course, this circumstance is known by the landlord for years.
Yes, landlord should disclose. But if landlord doesn't, you can't just walk away from the lease and stop paying the rent. You can either negotiate a termination with the landlord, or start paying your rent into escrow with the local court. Check the court web site for the escrow process to... Read more »
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