Ohio Security Deposit Demand Letter
In Ohio, a landlord has 30 days after move-out to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions (as of 2026; source: Ohio Rev. Code §5321.16). This letter cites that deadline, states the amount and your forwarding address, and gives the landlord a date to respond before you file. Free, no signup.
Maintained by Rapi Stack · Every state-specific figure on this page is cited to its statute or official agency page · Dataset last verified 2026 · Not legal advice.
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Ohio deposit rules at a glance
- Return deadline
- 30 days after move-out
- Deposit cap
- No statutory limit
As of 2026. Source: Ohio Rev. Code §5321.16 ↗. Want the exact due date? Use the deposit return calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How long does a Ohio landlord have to return the deposit?
30 days after you move out, as of 2026 (source: Ohio Rev. Code §5321.16). Counted in calendar days; check the statute for whether the clock starts at move-out, lease end, or receipt of your forwarding address, and whether a weekend deadline rolls over. Use the deposit return calculator to get the exact date.
Is there a limit on how much deposit a Ohio landlord can charge?
Ohio sets no statutory cap on the security deposit (as of 2026; source: Ohio Rev. Code §5321.16), so the amount is whatever the lease says. The return deadline still applies to the full amount.
How much can I sue for in Ohio if the landlord ignores this?
$6,000 exclusive of interest and costs (O.R.C. § 1925.02, raised from $3,000 in 2016 and still current); jurisdiction covers recovery of money (and taxes) only. Cross-confirmed on the Franklin County Municipal Court's official site. The court is the Small Claims Division of Municipal or County Court, and the filing fee is Varies by court (set locally under each court's cost schedule), typically about $25–$75 plus service costs; e.g. Franklin County Municipal Court (Columbus) raised small claims filing costs by $6 effective Aug 1, 2026. Indigent filers may submit a poverty affidavit.. As of 2026; source: O.R.C. ch. 1925 (limit: § 1925.02).
Do I need a lawyer in Ohio small claims?
Attorneys are Allowed but not required for individuals. A corporation may file and present its claim through a bona fide officer or salaried employee, but without an attorney that person may NOT engage in cross-examination, argument, or other acts of advocacy (O.R.C. § 1925.17) — so business entities effectively need a lawyer for contested hearings.. Source: O.R.C. ch. 1925 (limit: § 1925.02) (as of 2026).
Deposit rules in every state, cited to statute: security deposit limits by state.
How Ohio compares
Computed from our 51-jurisdiction dataset (as of 2026). Source for Ohio: Ohio Rev. Code §5321.16 ↗.
- Deposit return deadline
Deposit return deadline: 30 days, exactly the national median.
This is the most common figure nationally — shared by 26 other states.
Deposit return deadline in neighboring states — Indiana (45 days), Kentucky (30 days), Michigan (30 days), Pennsylvania (30 days), West Virginia (60 days).
The rest of what Ohio requires
The figures below are Ohio's, not national averages — each one is the value we verified for this state, with the statute it comes from. Follow a row to the full Ohio page for that document.
- Security deposit cap · as of 2026
- No statutory limit Ohio Rev. Code §5321.16 ↗
- Deposit return deadline · as of 2026
- 30 days after move-out Ohio Rev. Code §5321.16 ↗
- Notice to end a month-to-month tenancy · as of 2026
- 30 days Ohio Rev. Code §5321.16 ↗
- Notice for unpaid rent · as of 2026
- 3 days to pay or quit Ohio Rev. Code § 1923.04; § 5321.11; § 5321.17 ↗
- Notice to cure a lease violation · as of 2026
- 30 days Ohio Rev. Code § 1923.04; § 5321.11; § 5321.17 ↗
- Small claims limit · as of 2026
- $6,000 O.R.C. ch. 1925 (limit: § 1925.02) ↗
- Where you file · as of 2026
- Small Claims Division of Municipal or County Court · filing fee Varies by court (set locally under each court's cost schedule), typically about $25–$75 plus service costs; e.g. Franklin County Municipal Court (Columbus) raised small claims filing costs by $6 effective Aug 1, 2026. Indigent filers may submit a poverty affidavit. O.R.C. ch. 1925 (limit: § 1925.02) ↗
- Rental application fee · as of July 2026
- No statutory limit Ohio Revised Code ↗
- Bill of sale notarization · as of 2026
- Not required Ohio BMV / DMV.ORG ↗
- Power of attorney signing · as of 2026
- Notarization recommended Ohio Rev. Code §1337.25 (form §1337.60) ↗
- LLC operating agreement · as of 2026
- Not required by statute, but it controls over the default rules Ohio Rev. Code § 1706.01(R) (definition); § 1706.08 (effect) ↗
- Recording a deed · as of 2026
- County Recorder · no witnesses Ohio Rev. Code § 5301.01 ↗
Security deposit demand letter in other states
More Ohio legal forms
Different state? See security deposit demand letters by state →