Landlords have a right to evict tenants who fail to pay rent or violate other terms of their lease, but the law provides renters with powerful protections of their own. If you have no choice but to evict a tenant, you must follow a strict legal procedure, which includes required notifications and filing a lawsuit. Below is an overview of Ohio’s tenant eviction laws and why you should consider hiring an attorney.

How Do Evictions Work in Ohio?

Providing Written Notice

Failure to pay rent is the most common reason for an eviction, but landlords can’t take legal action immediately. In Ohio, you must first provide tenants a written notice, giving them three days to vacate the premises. If they fail to comply and refuse to move, your attorney will have to initiate a lawsuit before the eviction can occur.

Respecting Tenant’s Rights

Many landlords mistakenly believe that if a tenant refuses to move after being served an eviction notice, they have the right to lock the renter out. However, forcibly evicting a tenant or making the premises uninhabitable to get them to leave is against the law and might expose you to countersuits or other legal penalties.

Filing a Lawsuit

Before evicting a tenant, you must file and win a lawsuit, which typically takes only a few weeks, especially if you have the help of a skilled real estate law attorney. Once the judge has issued a decision, you may call a local sheriff or marshal to remove the tenant for you. Law enforcement officials may charge a fee for this service, but you can pass that cost on to the tenant in their final bill.

If you’re dealing with a difficult tenant, Dennis P. Faller, Attorney at Law, has the real estate law experience to help you successfully navigate the eviction process. They have over 40 years of experience serving property owners throughout Ohio’s Mercer, Logan, and Auglaize counties and will do everything possible to protect your rights. Visit their website for an overview of their real estate law services, follow their Twitter page for more legal tips, or call (419) 738-4578 to discuss your issue and request a consultation.