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Ohio Residential Lease Agreement Template

Ohio sets no cap on security deposits, but it does reward tenants who stay: larger deposits held at least six months can earn 5% annual interest on the excess. Ohio landlords also need to give 24 hours notice before entry and disclose the owner's name and address, details a well-built lease should handle up front.

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Ohio rules to know

  • Return deposit within 30 days

    Ohio sets no cap on deposits. Within 30 days after the lease ends and the tenant moves out, return the deposit with an itemized written list of deductions, mailed to the forwarding address the tenant provides in writing.

    Ohio Rev. Code 5321.16

  • Interest on larger deposits

    If a deposit is more than $50 or one month's rent, whichever is greater, and the tenant stays at least six months, you must pay 5% annual interest on the excess amount. Wrongful withholding can make you liable for the amount withheld plus attorney's fees.

    Ohio Rev. Code 5321.16

  • 24 hours notice before entry

    Except in an emergency, landlords must give at least 24 hours notice before entering and must enter at reasonable times and in a reasonable manner.

    Ohio Rev. Code 5321.04(A)(8)

  • Disclose owner name and address

    The written lease, or a notice to the tenant, must state the name and address of the owner and of any agent authorized to manage the property. Ohio has no statutory late-fee cap; courts generally require fees to be reasonable.

    Ohio Rev. Code 5321.18

Last updated 2026-10-05

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Our Ohio Residential Lease Agreement template as a Word document — a general starting point you fill in yourself. Sign in free to download it.

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What a residential lease agreement covers

  • Parties, premises and term
  • Rent, due date and late fees
  • Security deposit amount and return
  • Maintenance and repair responsibilities
  • Pets, guests and use restrictions
  • Entry and notice rules
  • Required state and federal disclosures

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Frequently asked questions

When do Ohio landlords owe interest on a deposit?
If a deposit is more than $50 or one month's rent, whichever is greater, and the tenant stays at least six months, you must pay 5% annual interest on the excess amount. Keeping deposits at or below that threshold avoids the interest calculation altogether.
What owner information must an Ohio lease include?
The written lease, or a separate notice to the tenant, must state the name and address of the owner and of any agent authorized to manage the property. Including it in the lease itself is a simple way to make sure the disclosure is never missed.
How does the Ohio deposit return process work?
Within 30 days after the lease ends and the tenant moves out, return the deposit with an itemized written list of deductions, mailed to the forwarding address the tenant provides in writing. Wrongful withholding can make you liable for the amount withheld plus attorney's fees.
How much can I charge for a security deposit?
Many states cap deposits — often at one or two months' rent — and set a deadline for returning them with an itemized list of deductions. The cap and deadline vary by state.
What disclosures does a lease need?
Federal law requires a lead-based paint disclosure for most housing built before 1978. States add their own, such as mold, flood zone, bed bugs or the deposit's bank location.
Can I just use a national lease template?
Risky. Lease law is mostly state and local, and a clause that's fine in one state can be void — or carry penalties — in another.

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