Ohio tenants in 2025 should be aware of the following key aspects of rent increase laws:
No Statewide Rent Control
- Ohio does not impose statewide rent control laws, allowing landlords to increase rents without a cap, as long as they comply with lease terms and provide proper notice.
- Local municipalities are prohibited from enacting rent control ordinances due to state legislation passed in 2021 (Senate Bill 352).
Notice Requirements
- Landlords must provide written notice before raising rent:
- For month-to-month leases, the standard notice period is 30 days.
- For fixed-term leases, rent cannot be increased during the lease term; landlords must wait until the lease expires and provide a 60-day notice for yearly leases.
Illegal Rent Increases
Certain rent hikes are considered illegal:
- Discrimination: Rent increases cannot be based on race, religion, familial status, or other protected categories under the Federal Fair Housing Act.
- Retaliation: Landlords cannot raise rent in response to tenants exercising legal rights, such as filing complaints about living conditions or joining tenant unions.
Reasonable Rent Increases
- While there is no limit, typical annual increases range between 5-10% in Ohio cities like Cleveland and Columbus.
- Extreme or unjustified hikes could be challenged if deemed retaliatory or unreasonable.
Tenant Protections
- Tenants should carefully review lease agreements and document any issues related to rent increases.
- In cases of disputes, tenants can seek legal advice or consult local tenant advocacy organizations.
Understanding these laws helps tenants navigate their rights while ensuring compliance with rental agreements.
Source
- https://www.hemlane.com/resources/ohio-rent-control-laws/
- https://www.steadily.com/blog/ohio-landlord-tenant-laws
- https://www.steadily.com/blog/rent-increase-laws-regulations-ohio
- https://www.landlordstudio.com/landlord-tenant-laws/ohio-rent-increase-laws