Free Ohio Residential Lease Agreement Form

An OH lease agreement is a legally binding contract between a landlord and a tenant. This is written to conform to state laws where the property is located. In Ohio these allow both parties to comply with a series of set terms for a specified number of months or years.

Rental contracts and lease agreements have a lot of similarities as they both set out payment plans and the terms of use for a house or apartment. However, the big difference is the duration that they cover. Rental agreements usually only cover short-term tenancies of a few months at a time or month-to-month contracts.

A lease agreement should contain the following details:

• How long the tenant may legally reside in the property
• How much rent should be paid
• Information about the security deposits necessary
• When rental installments are due
• Any additional costs that must be serviced by the tenant
• The rules regarding the proper use of the property
• Situations that constitute a lease violation eviction procedures

There are many types of Ohio lease agreement forms that can be used to manage and legally bind many different types of rental situations. They allow landlords to rent out various types of property they might have and for tenants to find the best kind of tenancy for their needs.

The most common types of lease agreements in Ohio include:

• Residential lease agreements: Under an OH standard lease agreement both the landlord and tenant commit to a fixed set of terms. These usually last one year or more.
• Lease with option to purchase: OH Lease agreements with rent-to-own options are designed for tenants that wish to buy the property they are renting. This requires them to pay a sum of money each month, in addition to rent, to cover the costs of the principal.
• Month-to-month rental agreements: Month-to-month lease agreements will often have similar basic terms to standard residential lease contracts. However, they differ as they can be renewed or ended on a month-by-month basis. Their terms may also be flexibly altered each month.
• Commercial lease agreements: Commercial leases are provided by landlords of retail property to tenants that intend to use the real estate to run a business.
• Room rental agreements: In rental properties with shared living areas an OH room rental agreement can be used to rent a singular bedroom.
• Sublease Agreement: An Ohio sublease agreement allows tenants to reassign or ‘sublease’ the property to another individual. This requires the property landlord’s permission and must be specifically allowed in the original lease.

An Ohio lease agreement must be written and signed within the laws of Ohio state, following the Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321, otherwise, it will be legally contestable and can be declared invalid and block either party from recourse if a violation is committed. These will police how you start and end the contract and control what procedures you can reasonably ask a tenant to follow.

The most important laws in Ohio to consider when you are renting a property include:

• Security deposits: Ohio landlords may charge any amount as a deposit if the property is a non-rent control unit. If the deposit is more than fifty dollars or one month's rent, whichever is greater, the excess amount must earn five percent interest annually, payable by the landlord to the tenant. Deposits must be returned to the tenant within 30 days of vacating the property and returning the keys. Landlords must also provide clear written notice of any deductions. Failure to comply with these rules may result in the tenant recovering the deposit, plus any damages equal to the amount wrongfully withheld, and reasonable attorney fees (OH. Code § 5321-16).
• Landlord’s right to enter: Landlords can enter the rental property by giving 24 hours’ advance notice (a written notice is recommended) (OH. Code § 5321-04).
• Late Fees: In case of late payment, landlords in Ohio may charge a fee of up to $30 or 10% of the payment amount, plus any fees charged by the bank (OH. Code § 1319-16).
• Warranty of Habitability: Landlords must maintain the property in a habitable condition and comply with building, housing, health, and safety codes. They must also provide adequate heating, running water, and hot water, and respect the tenant's privacy by giving reasonable notice before entering the property (OH. Code § 5321-04 (2)).
• Lease termination: Landlords or tenants can terminate a lease agreement by giving notice of termination at least seven or thirty days in advance, depending on the length of the lease. (OH. Code § 5321-17)

Ohio lease agreements must contain a few disclosures and addendums when they are completed and signed. This is to properly inform the tenant of any health risks or potential issues with the property or details about how the property is managed that they must be aware of. 

These essential addendums include the following: 

• Lead paint disclosure: If the rental unit is in a building constructed before 1978, the landlord or their agent must disclose whether lead paint can be found on the property and must provide safety information for any located on the premises.
• Agent/owner identification: The lease agreement must include a section or an addendum that discloses the contact information of the landlord or a chosen agent who will act on their behalf.

Adding all the relevant information and terms is vital to establish a legally binding agreement in Ohio.

To guarantee compliance with Ohio legislation, adhere to the following steps:

1. Identify the parties involved: The agreement should specify the names of the lessor and lessee(s).
2. Disclose the property's location and intended use: The agreement should unambiguously state the property's address and intended use.
3. Enumerate the lease provisions: Include clauses for renewing or extending the agreement, as well as the lease's start and end dates.
4. Elaborate on the payment plan: The agreement should clarify the payment method, any applicable late payment charges, rent amount, and due date.
5. Provide deposit details: Clarify the tenant's deadline for returning the security deposit and the deposit amount.
6. List the occupants: Name any non-paying occupants (if any) residing on the property.
7. Describe utility responsibilities: This section should outline which utilities the landlord is responsible for and which ones the tenant(s) are responsible for.
8. Specify the furnishings: The agreement should include a detailed list.
9. Mention the governing law: The lease agreement must reference Ohio state law.
10. Include a signature section: Add a section for the landlord and tenant(s) to sign.

To minimize the chances of errors, use an Ohio Residential Lease Agreement template to prepare your document.

Before beginning the process of creating a residential lease agreement in Ohio it is sensible to review an example document first. Use our OH lease agreement sample below to find out more about the structure and contents of a fully-fledged rental contract.

Besides lease agreements, there are various other legal documents that are commonly used by landlords. If you are the owner of a rental property, one of the following forms may be helpful for you: 

• Ohio Rental application
• Ohio Eviction notice