Ohio (OH) lease form
Ohio residential leases are governed by Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321, which sets firm rules on disclosures, mandatory landlord and tenant duties, and clauses that courts will void outright. Landlords who omit required disclosures or insert prohibited terms risk losing the right to collect rent and face statutory damages. Getting the lease document right before move-in is the lowest-cost risk-management step available.
Revun generates a Ohio-ready lease with the required disclosures and clauses built in, then handles e-signature, rent, and renewals on the same platform.
Every written lease must state the full name and address of the owner and, if applicable, the owner's authorized agent. For oral agreements, this notice must be delivered in writing at the start of occupancy.
For any housing built before 1978, landlords must provide the EPA-approved lead hazard information pamphlet, disclose any known lead-based paint or hazards, and give tenants a 10-day window to conduct an inspection before signing.
Although Ohio does not mandate a pre-printed checklist form, documenting the unit's condition at move-in is a practical requirement because ORC 5321.16 requires an itemized written deduction statement within 30 days of move-out, and a baseline record is the only defense against disputes.
The lease must clearly identify which utilities the landlord provides (running water, heat per ORC 5321.04) versus which are the tenant's responsibility, so neither party is misled about ongoing costs.
Ohio law prohibits local rent control or rent stabilization ordinances on private residential units; no local ordinance can override the agreed rent amount, and tenants should understand no municipal cap protects them.
General information, not legal advice. Governing statute: Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321 (Landlords and Tenants). Confirm current requirements or consult an attorney before finalizing a lease.
Ohio lease FAQ
Ohio law (ORC 5321.18) requires every written lease to identify the owner and any agent by name and address. Federal law adds a lead-paint disclosure for pre-1978 housing. Ohio does not mandate a mold or flood-zone disclosure form by statute, but omitting known material defects can expose a landlord to fraud claims.
Under ORC 5321.13, courts will void any clause that confesses judgment by warrant of attorney, requires tenants to pay the landlord's attorney fees, releases the landlord from negligence liability, or allows rent collection despite uninhabitable conditions. Self-help eviction clauses are also prohibited under ORC 5321.15.
Ohio law does not require a written lease for tenancies under one year, but ORC 5321.18 mandates that if a written agreement exists it must include the owner's name and address. A written lease is always advisable because it fixes rent, duration, and rules in a form courts can enforce.
Ohio sets no statutory cap on the deposit amount, but any deposit exceeding the equivalent of one month's rent that is held for more than six months must earn **5 percent annual interest** under ORC 5321.16, and the full deposit with itemized deductions must be returned within 30 days of move-out.
