Lawyers, Answer Questions  & Get Points Log In
COVID-19 Ohio Landlord - Tenant Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: I was living with my brother and he broke the lease.But I been still here living here the landlord knows he sub lease

in and went went into Covid 19 to where we couldnt leave cause stay at home law.I try to work it out with him but he trying to charge me 2250 of 5 month back rent cause I was here but the lease wasnt in my name and he tried to get me sign a lease while a eviction was in process.Now with my brother... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Jul 1, 2020

If you and landlord did not sign a lease, then landlord must follow the proper eviction process by giving you notice, then filing an eviction.

But some landlords do not follow the proper process, and just lock tenants out. A tenant can sue landlord if that happens. Try to work it out...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: Not renewing lease can the landlords show apartment before I move out?

Im uncomfortable with this because of two things. First I don't believe it is safe having strangers coming and going during COVID 19. Second I have a dog and do not want them coming in while I'm not there ( he's a loving dog never acted mean but don't want to take the chance).... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Jun 29, 2020

You'll have to work it out with landlord. Ohio law requires tenant to allow landlord to show premises to prospective tenants, after giving "reasonable notice," typically 24 hours. But if you refuse because of the virus, there isn't much landlord can do. Propose to send photos to landlord.

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: Can we legally ask a tenant who’s lease is up to move in Ohio right now even with the no eviction law?

Me and my husband are about to close on a house in Ohio. There is a tenant living in it. But her lease is up. Because of covid Ohio has the no evictions until July 1st. Does asking a tenant who’s lease is up to move so we can move in fall under that no eviction ruling even though we aren’t... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on May 26, 2020

If the lease is expiring, a landlord can ask tenant to leave by the expiration date, but if tenant doesn't leave, then landlord must file an eviction and wait for eviction hearings to resume. Evictions can still be filed in most courts - check with the court. Advise tenant that an eviction... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: On March 28th our landlord locked us out of our restaurant because of non payment of March rent. We were already closed

because of Covid. Now we are trying to pay the rent (March -current) but he would not accept it today. He said that he wanted us to now pay a deposit for our utilities and he wants to go through the building and make a detailed inventory list before we can get back in and open. We are in Oak Harbor... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on May 15, 2020

It depends on the terms of the written lease. Commercial leases typically allow landlords to seize the premises if tenant defaults, lock tenant out, and sell tenant's equipment and property to pay rent and any damages. Landlord does not have to accept late rent, and can terminate the lease... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: Need help with landlord tenant law about lease renewal

Landlord is refusing to renew lease and asking for unfair terms for renewal. Asking us to move out in the middle of this pandemic

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on May 13, 2020

If the lease is expiring, and if it does not have an automatic renewal or a renewal option, then it will terminate. Landlord can ask for whatever terms they want, and landlord has no obligation to renew it if tenant doesn't agree. So landlord could evict you if you don't vacate.... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: I'm a landlord in Ohio. My tenant has told me last month that he didn't want to abide by lease terms due to covid19.

He is supposed to have a lease through June 30th and the lease spells out that the security deposit shall not be used as last months rent. He wants to use security deposit for May rent and move out a month early, because he found a house that he's buying. He also stated his wife lost her job... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on May 5, 2020

OH court activity is suspended in Ohio. You can file an eviction complaint with the court, but an eviction hearing might not take place for a couple months. If tenant moves out sooner, that won't help you. But an eviction filing is a permanent court record that can make it difficult to rent... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: My son can’t afford to pay his remaining off-campus rent of $5k for this Spring semester, due to COVID 19 job loss.

He hasn’t been able to work since March 2020 and I have been furloughed since March as well. He is unable to get a student loan on his own and has no Co-signer. His rent for the school year was 10K, which is extremely expensive. His roommates have paid in full. His unpaid portion is now... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on May 4, 2020

If he doesn't pay his part of the rent so that the rent is not paid in full, then the landlord can file to evict all of them and sue all of them for the unpaid amount. Landlord can also make adverse entries on their credit records, lowering their credit scores and making it difficult to rent... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: Can a landlord terminate a lease because of selling the house?

I moved in and signed a year lease in October of 2019. Two months ago he has people coming to look at the house and said he was planning on selling all of his rentals eventually, but not to worry everything was a process and would take time and I would have plenty of time to move out. Now he's... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Apr 23, 2020

Landlord cannot legally force you out if you have a valid written lease that you both signed. Your lease remains in effect if landlord sells, and it is binding on any new owner until the expiration date specified in the lease. The new owner must honor the lease, must follow its terms, and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: Landlord wants to show the home I am renting to a prospective buyer during covid-19 stay at home order. Can I refuse?

I have explained that I am uncomfortable with anyone coming into my home during the stay at home order. They are now going to show my home on thursday. Do I have a right to refuse entrance for a showing during this time?

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Apr 22, 2020

OH law says that landlords can show the premises to prospective buyers by giving tenant reasonable notice, typically 24 hours. But there isn't much landlord can do if a tenant refuses -- other than filing an eviction. But OH courts are suspended, so they are not doing any evictions. It... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: Does my brother have a right to evict me

I'm asking because he purchased a house for my sister and I. My sister was getting a bunch of money through her divorce. I was living w my Dad who was going into foreclosure. So my brother bought a house. My sister was suppose to get her credit together since she was getting a bunch of money... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Apr 20, 2020

He is the owner of the house, so yes, he can evict you. But OH courts are currently suspended for the virus, so there can't be an eviction hearing until courts re-open, so you have some time to find a new place. Work it out with him to avoid having an eviction filed against you. An eviction... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: My Tenant is moving out next month but refuses to let me show unit to prospective tenants because of COVID19 concerns.

Can a Tenant legally keep owners out of their property because of this virus? Is that “reasonable”? They want us to wait till Ohio removes restrictions, but we are already short on time to find a suitable tenant and get it rented when they move out. It was the Tenants choice to not renew their... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Apr 18, 2020

OH law allows landlord to show to prospective tenants after giving reasonable notice. If tenant refuses entry, you could call police, but they are unlikely to force tenant to comply - especially with the virus. So there might be no way for you to show it. OH courts are closed, except for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation, Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: I resigned my lease in December last year, I now have barely any hours due to the virus. What are my options?

I just want to move out but my lease says I will owe remainder of the lease? Do I have a leg to stand on here?

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Apr 12, 2020

You'll have to try to work it out with landlord. If you leave, landlord can sue you for rent and make an adverse entry on your credit report. Court activity is suspended in Ohio, so if you stop paying rent, landlord can also file an eviction, but it won't be resolved until after court... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: I received eviction noticed and have upcoming court date. The landlord is texting me demanding rent money in meantime?

She (landlord) keeps texting me a lot, saying someone will be moving in on april 1st 2020 even though we are set to go to court to have a judge hear the case which is set for after april 1st. Then says she wants rent money if Im going to stay and wait on the court date to take place. Can she... View More

Matthew Williams
Matthew Williams
answered on Mar 25, 2020

She can still demand payment, but if she accepts it, the court is unlikely to evict you unless there are other issues aside from non-payment. Accepting payment after filing for the eviction is basically settling the case. Someone else cannot move in before you go to court. Indeed, even if you lose... View More

View More Answers

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: My employment was effected by the corona pandemic. My landlord sent me a rent statement due on April 1st. I have no

Idea how I'm gonna pay yet. Can you tell me my rights as of now if any? She still expects her money

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Mar 20, 2020

Yes, rent is due on time as required by your lease. If not paid, landlord can begin an eviction, unless the state imposes a delay on evictions. Court activity has been suspended temporarily, except for emergencies. So any eviction will take several weeks. Try to work it out with landlord. With... View More

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.