Your home, as the saying goes, is your castle. One always hopes that housing negotiations will go smoothly, but sometimes problems arise, and when your living situation is hanging in the balance, it pays to have a knowledgeable attorney on your side. That’s where the Law Offices of Lawrence W. Henke, III can help. Their firm handles everything from family law, personal injury law to estate law, and they’ve helped countless clients navigate complicated cases and settle complicated legal issues, in and out of court.

What are some essential things to know about housing law in Ohio? According to ohio.gov, five major points are as follows:

• Bear in mind that a landlord is not allowed to retaliate against you by increasing your rent or refusing to carry out services (such as maintenance, etc.) that are included in your rental agreement. Yearly, or annual, rent increases are one thing, but a landlord is never allowed to take the law into his or her own hands, so to speak.
• Under Chapter 5321 of the Revised Code, you can initiate legal action to recover damages, if your contract or lease agreement has been breached.
• Not all rental agreements are necessarily airtight at the time they’re drawn up: if a lease has anything questionable or potentially inappropriate in it—in other words, anything “unconscionable,” as the legal term goes—the court may theoretically review it, and deem it null and void after the fact.
• A landlord is obligated to observe the requirements of housing, health, and safety codes, and may not violate them. If any violations are observed, legal action can be taken.
• A landlord is legally required to keep all rental properties in a habitable condition, and promptly take care of any repairs, etc. Which means that a tenant can initiate action if they feel their dwelling is potentially hazardous or unsafe.

These are just a few examples of what fair housing should encompass; but a skilled attorney can see that all necessary legalities are observed—and that your rights, as a tenant, are fully protected. To find out more, contact the Law Offices of Lawrence W. Henke, III at (937) 461-9330. A house isn’t a house unless it’s a home, so protect what’s yours, and reach out today!