As a landlord, you have certain legal obligations to your tenants. These are dictated by state and federal law, and if you violate them, you may find yourself getting served with legal papers from an attorney. As an Ohio landlord, you can avoid this by informing yourself about your responsibilities. Read on for four must-know facts.

4 Legal Facts for Ohio Landlords

1. Habitable Housing

Landlords are legally required to keep rental premises in a livable state. Ohio refers to this as the “implied warranty of habitability.” It asserts that the landlord must take care of certain repairs within a certain amount of time, such as broken heating. If you fail to provide a safe and livable space, your tenant has the legal right to withhold rent.

2. Lease Agreements

You must provide tenants with a written rental or lease agreement. This protects their interests and yours. The contract should detail your duties as the landlord, such as taking care of repairs, and the duties of the renters, such as paying rent on time. The agreement should also cover the duration and how much notice is required on either side.

3. Security Deposits

A security deposit is a sum of money the renter puts down to cover potential damages to the property or a failure to pay rent. You can use the security deposit for these purposes and these purposes only.

When the tenant moves out, you are required to provide a written accounting of the security deposit, detailing any deductions. If there are no deductions for damage or missed rent, you must refund the deposit fully within 30 days.

4. Right of Access

Just because you are the owner of the rental property doesn’t mean you can barge in whenever you like. Ohio law mandates that you give tenants 24 hours’ notice, at least, before entering the premises. The only exception would be in case of an emergency, like a burst pipe. It's best to provide written notice to cover yourself legally.

If you are an Ohio landlord facing legal difficulties, trust Vernau Law LLC of Granville for help. With over 30 years of experience, this law office provides knowledgeable guidance to residents of Licking and the surrounding counties. Their attorneys pride themselves on their responsive and courteous client care. Find out more about their services online. To request a consultation with an attorney, call (740) 587-2637.