Many people in Ohio rent their homes. Although renters don’t own the property in which they live, they still have certain rights their landlords must honor. The following offers some things to keep in mind regarding leases and rental agreements in the Buckeye State.
Lease requirements
Although leases can vary among landlords, all leases and rental agreements must contain certain items that include the following:
- Name and contact information of the landlord or property management company
- The rent amount and acceptable methods of payment
- Any utilities covered under the lease
- Procedures for repair reporting
- The lease’s beginning and end dates
- Terms regarding early lease termination
- Any rules regarding subletting the property
The law does not specify how much a landlord may require for a security deposit, but the landlord must return the deposit to the renter within 30 days of terminating the lease. Also, landlords are prohibited from discriminating against potential tenants based on race, gender, religion, disability or other protected statuses.
Seeking legal help
Ohio’s laws involving renters’ rights and landlords’ responsibilities can be confusing at times. Therefore, anyone looking to rent in the state should consult an attorney and have them review any leases or rental agreements before signing. An experienced real estate attorney can also help a tenant resolve any disputes that may arise, or they can help a landlord who is dealing with a problem tenant.