How can a lease be terminated in the State of Ohio?

A month-to-month tenancy can be terminated by either party giving a full 30 days’ written notice to the other party. A written lease normally specifies the method for termination or renewal. If termination or renewal is not specified, then the agreement terminates on the date set out in the agreement.

On what grounds can a landlord evict a tenant?

A landlord can evict a tenant for failure to pay rent on time, or if the tenant continues to occupy the unit without consent after the termination or expiry of the rental agreement. The landlord must file an action (forcible entry and detainer) and obtain a court order. A landlord cannot shut off utilities, change the locks or seize the tenant’s possessions to recover unpaid rent, regardless of whether an eviction order has been granted.

Ohio law requires landlords to evict tenants when the landlord has information from a law enforcement officer, based on a legal search, that the tenant, a guest or a member of the tenant’s household is involved in drug activity in connection with the premises.

A landlord cannot retaliate against a tenant by evicting, threatening to evict, increasing the rent, or decreasing or cutting off essential services, if a tenant has exercised his or her rights by complaining to the landlord, filing a complaint with a public official, or joining with other tenants to bargain collectively over the terms of the rental agreement.

The foregoing summary is provided for information purposes only and is not to be considered legal or business advice. The information may not be complete, accurate or applicable for any particular situation and should not be relied upon.

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