How long does a landlord in Ohio have to return a security deposit?
30 calendar days after you move out
In plain terms, the statute says
If the landlord violates the duty in division (B) to deliver the balance of the deposit and an itemized, identified written list of deductions within thirty days after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession, the tenant may recover the property or money wrongfully withheld together with damages equal to the amount wrongfully withheld — so twice the wrongful withholding in total — plus reasonable attorney's fees, and no finding of bad faith or wilfulness is required. A tenant who does not give the landlord a forwarding address in writing is not entitled to those damages.
Who this covers
Chapter 5321 reaches only 'residential premises' as defined in ORC 5321.01, which excludes owner-occupied condominium units; farm residences let together with two or more acres for agricultural production; transient lodging such as hotels, motels, tourist homes, roominghouses of that kind, campgrounds and recreational-vehicle parks; hospitals and care homes licensed under chapter 3721; elementary and secondary schools where room and board are part of tuition; correctional institutions, jails, workhouses and halfway houses; orphanages and similar institutions; certain single-room-occupancy facilities operated by tax-exempt organizations; dwelling units regulated under chapter 3733; and emergency shelters operated by 501(c)(3) organizations for homeless people and victims of domestic violence.
Read the law yourself
Where are you in this?
Have you moved out?
Questions people ask
How long does a landlord in Ohio have to return a security deposit?
Ohio: 30 calendar days after you move out.
Who does Ohio's security-deposit law cover?
Chapter 5321 reaches only 'residential premises' as defined in ORC 5321.01, which excludes owner-occupied condominium units; farm residences let together with two or more acres for agricultural production; transient lodging such as hotels, motels, tourist homes, roominghouses of that kind, campgrounds and recreational-vehicle parks; hospitals and care homes licensed under chapter 3721; elementary and secondary schools where room and board are part of tuition; correctional institutions, jails, workhouses and halfway houses; orphanages and similar institutions; certain single-room-occupancy facilities operated by tax-exempt organizations; dwelling units regulated under chapter 3733; and emergency shelters operated by 501(c)(3) organizations for homeless people and victims of domestic violence.
What happens if a landlord in Ohio is late?
If the landlord violates the duty in division (B) to deliver the balance of the deposit and an itemized, identified written list of deductions within thirty days after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession, the tenant may recover the property or money wrongfully withheld together with damages equal to the amount wrongfully withheld — so twice the wrongful withholding in total — plus reasonable attorney's fees, and no finding of bad faith or wilfulness is required. A tenant who does not give the landlord a forwarding address in writing is not entitled to those damages.
Where can I read Ohio's security-deposit law?
Ohio's rule is in Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16. The link on this page goes to the official text, so you can read the section yourself rather than take our word for it.
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