Ohio Lease Agreement: What to Include
December 19, 2025Ohio's landlord-tenant rules are set out in the Ohio Landlord-Tenant Act, and while much of it is fairly standard compared to neighboring states, its security deposit interest rule has a specific trigger worth understanding.
Security deposits
Ohio has no statewide statutory cap on the deposit amount. Interest is required on the portion of the deposit exceeding $50 or one month's rent, whichever is greater, but only if the tenancy lasts six months or longer — a threshold that's easy to miss if you're not looking for it. Deposits must be returned within 30 days of move-out, with an itemized list of deductions if any amount is withheld.
Entry notice
Ohio generally requires 24 hours' notice before entering an occupied unit for non-emergency purposes. Include your standard entry notice practice in the lease.
Required disclosures
An Ohio lease should include or accompany:
- • Federal lead-based paint disclosure (for pre-1978 buildings)
- • Owner or authorized agent disclosure — Ohio requires tenants be given the name and address of the property owner or the owner's authorized agent
Eviction notice
Ohio generally requires a 3-day notice to leave the premises before filing eviction, one of the shorter statutory windows nationally, making it especially important to get the notice itself correct the first time.
The bottom line
The six-month threshold for deposit interest is the detail most likely to trip up an Ohio landlord using a generic lease. See LeasePilot HQ's full Ohio landlord-tenant law summary for the complete breakdown with sources, or generate a lease with Ohio-specific clauses built in automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I owe interest on a security deposit for a 4-month lease in Ohio?
Generally no — Ohio's deposit interest requirement applies to tenancies of six months or longer. A shorter-term tenancy typically doesn't trigger the interest requirement, though check current law for any changes.
What information must I give tenants about property ownership in Ohio?
Ohio law requires disclosing the name and address of the property owner or an authorized agent who can be contacted regarding the property — this is a specific, sometimes overlooked disclosure requirement.
How fast can I evict a tenant in Ohio?
Ohio's standard notice to leave the premises is 3 days before an eviction filing can proceed — one of the faster statutory timelines, which also means the notice itself needs to be correct to avoid delays.