Ohio Security Deposit Deductions
In Ohio, deposit deductions are limited to the uses in the supplied statute. The landlord must give an itemized statement within 30 days. The record does not include a statutory definition of wear and tear. Ordinary wear is not a lawful charge. The table lists each supplied item rule and citation.
Wear and tear in this record
The supplied Ohio record does not include a statutory definition of wear and tear. Normal wear and tear is the expected aging of a rental from ordinary living, such as faded paint or carpet worn from walking. Damage is harm beyond that ordinary use, such as a large stain, a burn, or a hole. A landlord can usually charge for tenant-caused damage. A landlord cannot charge for ordinary wear.
Item rules
| Item | Allowed | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Cleaning | Conditional | Upon termination, the security deposit may be applied to past due rent and to damages the landlord has suffered by reason of the tenant’s noncompliance with R.C. 5321.05 or the rental agreement. The tenant must keep the occupied premises safe and sanitary. There is no independent statutory authorization for a standard turnover-cleaning charge, and the chapter never uses 'wear and tear' in the deposit section. (Ohio Rev. Code §§ 5321.16(B), 5321.05(A)(1)) |
| Carpet replacement | Not stated | No item-specific rule; the general standard applies. No rule specific to this item. A deduction is lawful only for damage beyond normal wear and tear, or for amounts the deposit statute allows (Ohio Revised Code § 5321.16 (Security deposits - procedures)). (Ohio Revised Code § 5321.16 (Security deposits - procedures)) |
| Painting | Not stated | No item-specific rule; the general standard applies. No rule specific to this item. A deduction is lawful only for damage beyond normal wear and tear, or for amounts the deposit statute allows (Ohio Revised Code § 5321.16 (Security deposits - procedures)). (Ohio Revised Code § 5321.16 (Security deposits - procedures)) |
| Nail holes and wall damage | Conditional | No statute specifically addresses nail holes. Tenant shall personally refrain, and forbid others on the premises with permission, from intentionally or negligently destroying, defacing, damaging, or removing any fixture, appliance, or other part of the premises. (Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.05(A)(6)) |
| Pet damage | Not stated | No item-specific rule; the general standard applies. No rule specific to this item. A deduction is lawful only for damage beyond normal wear and tear, or for amounts the deposit statute allows (Ohio Revised Code § 5321.16 (Security deposits - procedures)). (Ohio Revised Code § 5321.16 (Security deposits - procedures)) |
| Unpaid rent and fees | Yes | The security deposit may be applied to the payment of past due rent and to the payment of the amount of damages that the landlord has suffered by reason of the tenant’s noncompliance with section 5321.05 or the rental agreement. (Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B)) |
Itemization duty
| Itemization required | Yes |
|---|---|
| Deadline | 30 days |
| Receipts required | No |
| Rule | Any deduction from the security deposit shall be itemized and identified by the landlord in a written notice delivered to the tenant together with the amount due, within thirty days after termination of the rental The tenant must provide a forwarding or new address in writing. Receipts are not required. If the tenant fails to provide a forwarding address, the tenant is not entitled to damages or attorney fees under division (C). |
| Citation | Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B) |
Burden of proof
No statutory sentence allocating the burden of proof on the lawfulness of a deduction. If the landlord fails to comply with division (B), the tenant may recover the property and money due, together with damages in an amount equal to the amount wrongfully withheld, and reasonable attorneys fees. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(C).
Statute says
Upon termination of the rental agreement any property or money held by the landlord as a security deposit may be applied to the payment of past due rent and to the payment of the amount of damages that the landlord has
What this means
Source accessed: .
If it was deducted anyway
Use the Ohio demand letter page to ask for the itemized statement and the return of any amount that bills ordinary wear. Cite only a rule listed on this page.
Free Ohio template, built from verified state data
I rented [rental property address] from [lease start date] to [move-out date]. I paid a security deposit of $[amount]. I returned the keys on [date] and gave you my forwarding address in writing on [date]. Under Ohio law (Ohio Revised Code § 5321.16), a landlord must return the deposit or send a written, itemized list of deductions within 30 days after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession by the tenant.
FAQ
What security deposit deductions are allowed in Ohio?
Only the uses in the supplied Ohio record. The table on this page lists each item with its rule and citation. A general wear-and-tear row is not an item-specific statute.
Does a Ohio landlord have to itemize deductions?
Yes. Any deduction from the security deposit shall be itemized and identified by the landlord in a written notice delivered to the tenant together with the amount due, within thirty days after termination of the rental The tenant must provide a forwarding or new address in writing. Receipts are not required. If the tenant fails to provide a forwarding address, the tenant is not entitled to damages or attorney fees under division (C). The listed deadline is 30 days.
Who has the burden of proof for a Ohio deduction?
No statutory sentence allocating the burden of proof on the lawfulness of a deduction. If the landlord fails to comply with division (B), the tenant may recover the property and money due, together with damages in an amount equal to the amount wrongfully withheld, and reasonable attorneys fees. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(C).