Ohio (OH) eviction guide
Quick answer
To evict a tenant in Ohio, serve written notice (as short as 3 days for nonpayment of rent), then file a Forcible Entry and Detainer complaint in Municipal or County Court if the tenant does not leave. A hearing is typically scheduled within 7 to 21 days of filing, and an uncontested eviction takes roughly 5 to 8 weeks from notice to lockout under ORC Chapter 1923.
| Legal grounds | Nonpayment of rent, lease violation, illegal activity, end of tenancy |
|---|---|
| Minimum notice | 3 days (nonpayment or illegal activity) |
| Where to file | Municipal Court or County Court |
| Filing fee | About $120 to $160 |
| Typical timeframe | 5 to 8 weeks |
Used for nonpayment of rent, illegal drug activity, or other material lease breaches with no cure right for the tenant.
Required for health or safety lease violations; tenant gets 30 days to fix the problem before a 3-day notice can follow under ORC 5321.11.
Required to end a month-to-month tenancy without cause; one full rental period of notice is needed.
Unconditional notice with no right to remedy, used when controlled substance violations occur on the premises per ORC 1923.02(A)(6).
| Step | Timeframe | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Serve Written Notice | 3 to 30 days | Deliver the correct notice by certified mail, personal hand-off, or posting at the residence; notice must include the statutory warning language required by ORC 1923.04. |
| 2. File Complaint in Court | 1 to 2 days | File a Forcible Entry and Detainer complaint at the local Municipal or County Court and pay a filing fee of about $120 to $160. |
| 3. Tenant Is Served a Summons | 2 to 7 days after filing | The court issues a summons; the bailiff or sheriff serves it on the tenant, typically within a few business days of filing. |
| 4. Attend the Eviction Hearing | 7 to 21 days after filing | Both parties appear before the judge; Ohio requires the landlord or property manager to testify in person. |
| 5. Obtain Writ of Restitution | 1 to 5 days after judgment | If the judge rules for the landlord, the court issues a writ of restitution; the bailiff posts a red tag notice at the property giving the tenant 5 days to vacate. |
| 6. Sheriff Enforces Lockout | Within 10 days of writ issuance | If the tenant remains after the 5-day red tag period, the sheriff or bailiff supervises physical removal; the landlord provides labor and materials for the set-out. |
Filing a Forcible Entry and Detainer complaint costs about $120 to $160 in court fees, plus roughly $20 to $100 for service of process and about $35 to $45 for the writ of restitution application. Attorney fees, if needed, typically add $500 to $2,000, bringing the realistic total for a contested eviction to $700 to $2,300 or more depending on the county and case complexity.
After a judgment for possession, the court issues a writ of restitution and the bailiff posts a red tag at the property giving the tenant 5 days to leave voluntarily. If the tenant stays, the sheriff or bailiff schedules and supervises a set-out within the next 4 to 5 days. Self-help eviction, including changing locks or shutting off utilities without a court order, is illegal in Ohio and exposes the landlord to damages claims.
General information, not legal advice. Governing statute: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 1923 (Forcible Entry and Detainer). Self-help eviction is illegal everywhere; always follow the court process.
Ohio eviction FAQ
An uncontested eviction typically takes **5 to 8 weeks** from the day you serve notice to the day the tenant is removed. The notice period alone is 3 to 30 days, the court hearing is scheduled within 7 to 21 days of filing, and enforcement of the writ of restitution must occur within 10 days of issuance. Contested cases or court backlogs can push the total past 10 to 12 weeks.
Expect to pay roughly **$150 to $200** in court and service fees for a simple, uncontested case (filing fee plus writ and service costs). Add attorney fees of **$500 to $2,000** if you hire legal help, making a fully represented eviction cost **$700 to $2,300** or more. Fees vary by county, so confirm the exact amount with your local Municipal or County Court clerk.
No. Ohio law prohibits self-help eviction. A landlord cannot change the locks, remove doors, shut off utilities, or physically remove a tenant without a court order. Doing so is illegal under ORC Chapter 5321 and can result in the landlord owing the tenant damages.
A landlord must serve a **3-Day Notice to Leave the Premises** before filing in court. Ohio does not give tenants the right to pay the overdue rent and stay after this notice is served, though some cities like Columbus and Cleveland have local Pay-to-Stay rules allowing payment at the hearing.
The court issues a **writ of restitution** and the bailiff posts a red tag giving the tenant **5 days** to vacate. If the tenant remains, the sheriff schedules a set-out, physically removing the tenant and belongings within about 10 days of the writ being issued. Ohio does not require landlords to store the tenant's belongings after removal.
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