Lease Agreement Template for Ohio

RESIDENTIAL LEASE AGREEMENT (OHIO)

DOCUMENT CONTROL

• Effective Date: [Effective Date]
• Version: 3.4 (Ohio Compliant)
• Jurisdiction / Scope: State of Ohio (Revised Code Chapter 5321)

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OFFICIAL NOTICE & LEGAL DISCLAIMER

This document is a high-density legal template intended for use in the State of Ohio. It incorporates statutory provisions under Ohio Revised Code (O.R.C.) Chapter 5321 (Landlords and Tenants). This template does not constitute formal legal representation. Real estate transactions carry distinct liability risks; both parties are advised to retain independent legal counsel before execution.

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1. PARTIES & DEFINITIONS

This Residential Lease Agreement (the "Agreement") is entered into as of [Date], by and between the following parties:

• Landlord: [Landlord Full Legal Name / Corporate Entity], with a primary mailing address of [Landlord Street Address, City, State, Zip] ("Landlord").
• Tenant(s): [Tenant 1 Full Legal Name] and [Tenant 2 Full Legal Name], collectively ("Tenant").

Defined Terms:

• Premises: The real property located at [Street Address, Unit Number], City of [City], Ohio [Zip Code], including all appurtenances, fixtures, and designated parking spaces [Insert Parking Space #, if applicable]`.
• Term: Commencing at 12:00 PM on [Lease Start Date] and expiring at 11:59 PM on [Lease End Date].
• Monthly Rent: [Monthly Rent Amount in Words] Dollars ($[Numeric Amount]), due on or before the first (1st) day of each calendar month.
• Security Deposit: [Security Deposit Amount in Words] Dollars ($[Numeric Amount]).

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2. OPERATIVE CLAUSES & TERMS

SECTION 1: RENT PAYMENT, LATE FEES, AND RETURNED CHECKS

1.1 Payment Instructions: Tenant shall pay Monthly Rent via [ACH / Electronic Portal / Certified Funds / Personal Check] to Landlord at the address designated above, or as otherwise directed via written notice. Cash is strictly prohibited. 1.2 Late Charges: Rent is strictly due on the first (1st) calendar day of each month. If Rent is not received by Landlord by 11:59 PM on the fifth (5th) day of the month, Tenant shall pay a late fee of [Late Fee Amount, e.g., $50.00] or [Percentage, e.g., 5%] of the monthly rent, which shall be deemed additional rent. 1.3 Returned Payments: Any payment returned for insufficient funds (NSF) or stopped payment shall incur a fee of [NSF Fee Amount, e.g., $35.00] plus any bank fees incurred by Landlord, payable immediately upon notice.

SECTION 2: SECURITY DEPOSIT

2.1 Holding and Compliance: The Security Deposit shall be held by Landlord in accordance with O.R.C. § 5321.16. If the tenancy is for a term exceeding six (6) months and the deposit exceeds fifty dollars ($50) or one month's periodic rent (whichever is greater), the Landlord shall pay interest to the Tenant at the rate of five percent (5%) per annum on interest-bearing accounts, payable annually, if required by local municipal ordinance or state statute. 2.2 Return of Deposit: Within thirty (30) days after termination of the tenancy and delivery of possession by Tenant, Landlord shall return the Security Deposit, less any lawful deductions for unpaid rent, damages exceeding normal wear and tear, or utility charges owed pursuant to O.R.C. § 5321.16(B). Landlord shall provide an itemized list of deductions specifying the reasons and amounts withheld.

SECTION 3: USE OF PREMISES

3.1 Residential Purpose: The Premises shall be occupied exclusively as a private residential dwelling by the named Tenants and their minor dependents: [List Names of Dependents or write "None"]. 3.2 Subletting and Assignment: Tenant shall not assign this Agreement, sublet the Premises, or grant any license to use the Premises without the prior written consent of Landlord, which consent may be withheld in Landlord’s sole discretion. Any unapproved assignment or sublease shall be voidable and constitute a material breach.

SECTION 4: UTILITIES AND SERVICES

4.1 Tenant Responsibilities: Tenant shall contract directly for and pay all charges associated with utilities servicing the Premises, including [Check all that apply: Electricity, Gas, Water, Trash Removal, Internet], commencing on the Lease start date and continuing through the termination date. 4.2 Landlord Responsibilities: Landlord shall provide and pay for: [List Landlord-paid utilities, e.g., HOA fees, property taxes, or write "None"].

SECTION 5: MAINTENANCE, REPAIRS, AND O.R.C. § 5321.04 COMPLIANCE

5.1 Landlord Obligations: Pursuant to O.R.C. § 5321.04, Landlord shall:

• Comply with all applicable building, housing, health, and safety codes;
• Make all repairs and do whatever is reasonably necessary to put and keep the Premises in a fit and habitable condition;
• Keep all common areas of the premises in a safe and sanitary condition;
• Maintain in good and safe working order and condition all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning fixtures and appliances supplied or required to be supplied by Landlord. 5.2 Tenant Obligations: Pursuant to O.R.C. § 5321.05, Tenant shall:
• Keep that part of the premises that Tenant occupies and uses safe and sanitary;
• Dispose of all rubbish, garbage, and other waste in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner;
• Keep all plumbing fixtures in the dwelling unit or used by the tenant as clean as their condition permits;
• Use and operate all electrical and plumbing fixtures properly;
• Not deliberately or negligently destroy, deface, damage, or remove any part of the premises or permit any person to do so;
• Conduct themselves and require other persons on the premises with their consent to conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb their neighbors' peaceful enjoyment. 5.3 Maintenance Notice Protocol: Tenant shall notify Landlord promptly in writing of any structural damage, roof leaks, plumbing failures, or electrical hazards. Failure to report maintenance issues that subsequently exacerbate damage shall render Tenant liable for the resulting repair costs.

SECTION 6: RIGHT OF ENTRY

6.1 Landlord Access: Pursuant to O.R.C. § 5321.04(A)(8), Landlord or Landlord’s agents may enter the Premises upon giving twenty-four (24) hours' notice to Tenant, at reasonable times, to inspect the premises, make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterations, or improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or exhibit the dwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees, tenants, workmen, or contractors. 6.2 Emergency Entry: In the case of an emergency (e.g., active water pipe burst, fire, structural collapse), Landlord may enter the Premises immediately without prior notice to Tenant.

SECTION 7: DEFAULT, TERMINATION, AND REMEDIES

7.1 Tenant Default: If Tenant fails to pay Rent when due, breaches any material term of this Agreement, or violates statutory obligations under O.R.C. § 5321.05, Landlord may issue a statutory Notice to Leave Premises / Notice of Breach pursuant to O.R.C. § 1923.04, demanding compliance or surrender of possession within the statutory timeframe. 7.2 Holdover: If Tenant retains possession of the Premises after the termination of this Agreement without Landlord's written consent, Tenant shall pay double the daily prorated Monthly Rent for each day of holdover, alongside liability for consequential damages incurred by Landlord.

SECTION 8: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

8.1 Governing Law: This Agreement shall be construed, interpreted, and governed by the laws of the State of Ohio, without regard to conflict of law principles. Any legal action arising herefrom shall be brought exclusively in the municipal or common pleas court possessing jurisdiction over the Premises. 8.2 Severability: If any provision of this Agreement is held to be invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be modified to the minimum extent necessary to make it valid, and the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. 8.3 Entire Agreement: This Agreement constitutes the entire understanding between Landlord and Tenant and supersedes all prior oral or written agreements. No modification hereof shall be binding unless executed in writing by both parties.

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3. EXECUTION & ACKNOWLEDGMENT BLOCK

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Residential Lease Agreement as of the Effective Date written above.

LANDLORD:

Signature: ___________________________________________________
Printed Name: ________________________________________________
Title (if applicable): ________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________________________

TENANT(S):

Signature: ___________________________________________________
Printed Name: ________________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________________________

Signature: ___________________________________________________
Printed Name: ________________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________________________

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4. STEP-BY-STEP EXECUTION & ENFORCEMENT GUIDE

1. Review and Fill Blanks: Complete all bracketed fields ([...]) with precise data. Ensure security deposit amounts comply with local municipal ordinances in Ohio (some cities have specific security deposit caps or registration requirements).
2. Execute Disclosures: Ensure mandatory federal and state attachments are executed alongside this lease, specifically the Lead-Based Paint Disclosure (for housing built prior to 1978) and the Ohio-required inventory of existing property condition if applicable.
3. Notarization / Witnessing: While Ohio law does not strictly require residential leases under three (3) years to be notarized, having signatures executed in the presence of two (2) witnesses or a notary public provides enhanced evidentiary security in eviction or breach proceedings.
4. Post-Execution Delivery: Provide a fully executed duplicate copy of this Agreement, along with all house rules and keys, to the Tenant within three (3) business days of execution. Retain the original executed document in a secure compliance file for at least three (3) years post-tenancy.