| Rent Increase Facts | Answer |
| Reason Needed? | No |
| Maximum Amount | None |
| Required Notice | No Statute |
Does Ohio Have Rent Control Laws?
Ohio does not have rent control laws. State law prohibits local governments from establishing rent control laws.
When Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Ohio?
Landlords in Ohio can raise the rent at any time, as long as they comply with the following:
- Aren’t raising rent for discriminatory or retaliatory reasons
- Wait until the end of the lease term (unless otherwise specified in the lease)
- Give reasonable notice
30 days before the end of a year-long lease, a landlord sends the tenant a notice that rent will increase by 2.5% if they choose to renew the lease.
When Can’t a Landlord Raise Rent in Ohio?
Landlords in Ohio may not raise the rent if:
- It is during the middle of a lease’s fixed term (unless stated otherwise in the lease agreement)
- It is done in retaliation against a protected tenant action, such as joining or organizing a tenants’ group or union
- The increase is applied in a way that discriminates against one of the protected classes specified in the Fair Housing Act
In addition to the characteristics above, state law prohibits discrimination in housing due to military status.
How Often Can Rent Be Increased in Ohio?
Landlords in Ohio can increase the rent as often as they wish, as long as reasonable notice is provided each time.
How Much Notice is Needed to Raise Rent in Ohio?
Ohio law does not require a specific notice period before raising the rent. However, the law still requires that parties to a contract act in good faith, meaning that a landlord should give the tenant reasonable notice when increasing rent.
The 30-day notice period required for the termination of a month-to-month lease serves as reasonable notice for a rent increase in most situations.
How Much Can a Landlord Raise Rent in Ohio?
Ohio landlords may raise the rent by any amount. There is no legal limit or cap on the amount of a rent increase.
Sources
- 1 Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.19
-
Except as provided in division (B) of this section, no political subdivision may enact, adopt, renew, maintain, enforce, or continue in existence any charter provision, ordinance, resolution, rule, or other measure that is in conflict with this chapter, or that regulates the rights and obligations of parties to a rental agreement that are regulated by this chapter, including, without limitation, by any way imposing or requiring rent control or rent stabilization.
Source Link - 2 Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.02(A)
-
Subject to section 5321.03 of the Revised Code, a landlord may not retaliate against a tenant by increasing the tenant’s rent, decreasing services that are due to the tenant, or bringing or threatening to bring an action for possession of the tenant’s premises because:
(1) The tenant has complained to an appropriate governmental agency of a violation of a building, housing, health, or safety code that is applicable to the premises, and the violation materially affects health and safety;
(2) The tenant has complained to the landlord of any violation of section 5321.04 of the Revised Code;
(3) The tenant joined with other tenants for the purpose of negotiating or dealing collectively with the landlord on any of the terms and conditions of a rental agreement.
Source Link - 3 Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17
-
(A) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, the landlord or the tenant may terminate or fail to renew a week-to-week tenancy by notice given the other at least seven days prior to the termination date specified in the notice.
(B) Except as provided in division (C) of this section, the landlord or the tenant may terminate or fail to renew a month-to-month tenancy by notice given the other at least thirty days prior to the periodic rental date.
Source Link
