Ohio rent increase law

No section of chapter 5321 sets a notice period or a limit for rent increases, and counties, townships, cities and other political subdivisions may not impose rent control or rent stabilization. During a fixed term, the rental agreement governs the rent. For a month-to-month tenancy, the only notice period in chapter 5321 is the one for ending or not renewing the tenancy: at least 30 days before the periodic rental date.

Ohio Rev. Code ch. 5321 Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.06 Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.19

• You may not raise the rent to retaliate because the tenant complained to a government agency about a code violation that materially affects health and safety, complained to you about your 5321.04 duties, or joined with other tenants to negotiate collectively. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.02(A) See Retaliation on the Ohio page
• Raising the rent to reflect the cost of improvements you installed, or an increase in other operating costs, is not barred by the retaliation section. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.02(C)
• Ending or not renewing a month-to-month tenancy takes notice at least 30 days before the periodic rental date. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17(B) See Ending a month-to-month tenancy on the Ohio page

No county, township, city or other political subdivision may enact, keep or enforce a measure that imposes rent control or rent stabilization on private residential rentals, that conflicts with chapter 5321, or that regulates the rights and obligations of parties to a rental agreement that chapter 5321 regulates. Local housing, building, health and safety codes are not preempted.

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.19 Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.20 Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.01(O)

• Also not preempted: local drug ordinances of the kind 5321.04(A)(9) describes, rent rules for housing a political subdivision itself owns or operates, and voluntary incentives or agreements, such as tax abatements, tax credit or bond financing, loans or grants, to increase or maintain the housing supply or improve its quality. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.19(B)
• Rent control includes requiring below-market rents or controlling rents in any manner, such as limiting increases or regulating rent changes between tenancies; rent stabilization means allowing increases of a fixed amount or on a fixed schedule set by a political subdivision. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.01(O) Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.01(P)
• The General Assembly declared chapter 5321 a statewide and comprehensive law regulating all aspects of the residential landlord-tenant relationship. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.20

You may not retaliate against a tenant by increasing the rent, decreasing services due to the tenant, or bringing or threatening to bring an eviction because the tenant complained to an appropriate government agency about a building, housing, health or safety code violation that materially affects health and safety, complained to you about a violation of your 5321.04 duties, or joined with other tenants to negotiate or deal collectively with you on the terms of a rental agreement. Section 5321.02 sets no time window or presumption.

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.02 Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.03

• A tenant facing retaliation may use it as a defense to an eviction, recover possession, or end the rental agreement, and may also recover actual damages and reasonable attorney's fees. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.02(B)
• You may still raise the rent to reflect the cost of improvements you installed or an increase in other operating costs. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.02(C)
• You may still bring an eviction if the tenant is in default in rent; if the tenant, the household or the tenant's guests primarily caused the code violation complained of; if compliance would require alteration, remodeling or demolition that would effectively deprive the tenant of the unit; if the tenant is holding over; or in the sex offender registry case the section describes. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.03(A)
• Bringing such an action does not stop the tenant from recovering damages for your violation of the rental agreement or of 5321.04. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.03(B)
• Every eviction summons tells the tenant that no one may be evicted in retaliation for exercising lawful rights. Ohio Rev. Code § 1923.06(B)
• Fair housing law separately bars coercing, intimidating, threatening or interfering with anyone for exercising fair housing rights or helping others exercise them, and discriminating against anyone for opposing discrimination or for taking part in a civil rights charge, investigation or hearing. Ohio Rev. Code § 4112.02(H)(12) Ohio Rev. Code § 4112.02(I) See Fair housing on the Ohio page