Landlord-Tenant Counsel for Ohio Property Owners
Owning a rental is a business. Whether you have one duplex in Lima or a growing portfolio across Ohio, the lease you use and the notices you serve determine whether a problem stays manageable — or becomes a claim against you. I advise landlords and property owners on Ohio landlord-tenant matters as part of my real estate practice.
Services for Landlords
- Lease drafting and review — Ohio-appropriate residential leases, renewals, and addenda that match how you actually rent
- Security deposit procedures — documentation habits and notice practices that hold up if challenged
- Notices and defaults — rent demands and termination notices prepared to the statute and the lease
- Evictions — formal process through the proper court when a tenancy has to end
- Habitability and repair disputes — practical guidance when conditions complaints escalate
- Tenant screening and house rules — policies that are enforceable and consistently applied
For a plain-English overview, see Landlord-Tenant Basics for Ohio Small Landlords.
Why Process Matters More Than Anger
Most landlord losses I see are procedural: a lockout, a defective notice, a deposit kept without proper accounting, or a text-message “agreement” that contradicts the lease. Ohio law gives landlords remedies. It also punishes shortcuts.
If a dispute turns into a lawsuit — habitability claims, deposit litigation, or damage fights — my civil litigation experience covers the courtroom side as well.
Pair the Lease with the Right Ownership Structure
Rental liability should not sit casually on personal assets if an LLC structure makes sense for your portfolio. I coordinate landlord work with business formation so the deed, the entity, and the insurance match.
Buying or Selling Tenant-Occupied Property
Purchasing a property with existing tenants raises lease assumption, security deposit transfer, and notice questions. Selling occupied property raises disclosure and timing questions. Get a lawyer involved before the purchase agreement locks you into someone else’s lease problems. Related reading: Buying a House FSBO in Ohio.
Talk Before You Serve Notice
If rent is late, a tenant has damaged the unit, or you are unsure which notice to use, contact the office before you improvise. A short conversation is cheaper than restarting an eviction or defending a self-help claim.