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Ohio Landlord & Tenant Legal Help, Made Simple.

Lease problems, security deposits, property damage, and rental disputes can quickly become frustrating. DocDraft helps Ohio landlords and tenants understand their options, prepare personalized legal documents, and take the next step toward a resolution.

  • Straightforward guidance
  • Ohio-specific documents
  • Attorney help available
saved on legal fees
$100M+
documents created
50,000+
customers served
23,000+
saved per matter
$1,200

Resolve rental issues with greater confidence.

Whether you own a rental property or live in one, you deserve a straightforward way to address legal issues without starting from scratch.

  • Understand your rights and responsibilities

    Get help navigating the issues affecting your rental property or lease.

  • Prepare the documents you need

    Draft personalized notices, agreements, and letters based on your situation.

  • Take action on your own terms

    Work toward a resolution independently, with professional legal support available when needed.

What can we help you with?

  • Lease Agreements

    Prepare residential lease documents and clarify the terms of a rental arrangement.

  • Lease Termination

    Understand and document steps involved in ending a lease or rental relationship.

  • Security Deposit Disputes

    Address withheld deposits, disputed deductions, and requests for repayment.

  • Repairs & Maintenance

    Document repair requests, maintenance concerns, and related communications.

  • Property Damage

    Address disagreements about damage, responsibility, and potential reimbursement.

  • Rent & Lease Violations

    Prepare relevant notices and correspondence involving unpaid rent or alleged violations.

How it works

  1. Describe your rental issue

    Tell DocDraft whether you’re a landlord or tenant and explain what’s happening.

  2. Prepare your legal documents

    Get help drafting a letter, notice, agreement, or other relevant document based on your answers.

  3. Work toward a resolution

    Review your documents, communicate your position, and understand when additional legal help may be useful.

  1. Tell me what happened.
  2. The heater in my Ohio rental has been broken for three weeks.
  3. Which Ohio county is this in?
  4. Franklin County
  5. What would you like this document to do?
  6. A written repair request that lists my earlier messages.
  7. Repair request letterFirst draft ready to review

    I am writing to request repair of the heater, which has not worked for three weeks despite my earlier messages.

Understanding landlord-tenant law in Ohio

Ohio's Landlords and Tenants law, Chapter 5321 of the Revised Code, establishes rights and responsibilities for both residential landlords and tenants.

Before filing an eviction case, called a forcible entry and detainer action, a landlord generally must give the tenant a written notice to leave the premises at least 3 days before filing. Some federally backed or subsidized housing may require longer notice.

In many situations, written communication and good documentation are important first steps. For repairs, a tenant who is current on rent and gives the landlord written notice may, if the landlord does not fix the problem within a reasonable time of no more than 30 days, deposit rent with the clerk of court.

When a tenancy ends, a landlord generally must return the security deposit, or give the tenant an itemized written notice of any deductions with the balance, within 30 days after the rental agreement ends and possession is delivered. The tenant should give the landlord a forwarding address in writing.

The appropriate action depends on the lease, the property's location, and the facts of the dispute.

Bring your draft. Ask your questions.

Some questions call for more than paperwork. Explore document review and consultation options with a licensed attorney.

Residential leaseExample draft

12. Security deposit. Landlord will refund the deposit, less deductions for damage beyond normal wear and tear1, within 30 days after the lease ends and Tenant delivers possession, with an itemized written notice of any deductions sent to Tenant's forwarding address.

1Question for an attorney

Does carpet wear from two years of normal living count as damage?

18. Default. If rent is late, Landlord may serve Tenant a written notice to leave the premises at least three days2 before filing an eviction action in court.

2Question for an attorney

If I pay the rent in full during the three days, can the landlord still file?

2 questions ready for reviewSections 12 and 18

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Get your rental issue moving toward a resolution.

Start with your situation. DocDraft will help you organize the relevant details, prepare documents, and take the next step.

  • Personalized documents
  • Clear next steps
  • Attorney support available

More Ohio legal help

Child custody & support

  • Shared parenting plans
  • Parenting time schedules
  • Child support

Business formation

  • Ohio LLC formation
  • Articles of organization
  • LLC operating agreements

Business contracts

  • Service agreements
  • Independent contractor agreements
  • Non-disclosure agreements

Civil disputes

  • Demand letters
  • Small claims court
  • Unpaid money & debt disputes

Employment

  • Wrongful termination
  • Unpaid wages & compensation
  • Severance agreements

Divorce

  • Divorce complaints & dissolution petitions
  • Dissolution of marriage
  • Divorce with children