Evicting a tenant in Ohio can be a complex process. Landlords and property managers must follow specific rules and procedures when terminating a tenancy before the lease term has ended. These rules vary depending on the cause for eviction. The most common reasons for eviction are failure to pay rent, violation of the lease or rental agreement, or using, selling, or manufacturing illegal drugs in the rental unit. In all these situations, landlords must give tenants an unconditional three-day notice to quit. If the tenant fails to move out by the deadline, the landlord can file an eviction lawsuit. Ohio law requires landlords to include specific language in these notices.

If a landlord doesn’t have legal cause to evict a tenant, they must wait until the end of the lease term before expecting the tenant to move. The landlord might need to give the tenant proper notice with a month-to-month tenancy or if the lease or rental agreement states a requirement.

Tenants have the right to fight the eviction in court and might claim several potential defenses. It is never okay for a landlord to force a tenant to move out of the rental unit. Only a sheriff or constable is authorized to actually evict the tenant. Landlords who find personal property after the tenant moves out must take reasonable steps to inform and give the tenant time to claim the property. Ohio does not have any specific laws about handling abandoned personal property.