Ohio sets no statutory cap on residential security deposits under Ohio Rev. Code 5321.16. The landlord must itemize deductions in writing and return the balance within 30 days after the tenant gives up possession. Deposits over $50 or one month's rent held six months or more earn 5% annual interest. Wrongful withholding exposes the landlord to double damages plus attorney's fees.
Ohio Rev. Code 5321.16(A) requires that "any security deposit in excess of fifty dollars or one month's periodic rent, whichever is greater, shall bear interest on the excess at the rate of five per cent per annum if the tenant remains in possession of the premises for six months or more," paid annually. There is no statutory ceiling on the deposit amount. Under division (B), any deduction "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 agreement and delivery of possession." The tenant must furnish a forwarding address in writing to receive the notice and refund. Permitted deductions are past-due rent and damages the landlord suffered from the tenant's noncompliance.
Under Ohio Rev. Code 5321.16(C), if the landlord fails to comply with division (B), the tenant may recover the money due "together with damages in an amount equal to the amount wrongfully withheld, and reasonable attorney fees" - effectively double the wrongfully withheld sum plus fees.
Other ordinances people look up for this city. Green dot = verified primary-source excerpt.
Lakewood, OH
Lakewood allows leaf blowers during standard landscaping hours (8 AM to 8 PM weekdays, 9 AM to 6 PM Sundays) under Chapter 509. No decibel cap or gas-powered...
Lakewood, OH
Persistent barking is reachable in Lakewood as a 'noise disturbance' under Section 515.03 of the noise chapter, and the city's animal code (Chapter 506, Desi...
Lakewood, OH
Lakewood does not set a separate loudspeaker curfew; amplified music on private property is controlled by the Section 515.05 decibel limits (50 dBA at night,...
Lakewood, OH
No Lakewood-specific ordinance regulates the noise of aircraft in flight; aircraft-noise authority rests with the FAA over the navigable airspace, and Ohio a...
Lakewood, OH
Lakewood permits residential Level 2 EV charger installations with an electrical permit (125 dollars). Public chargers available at City Hall, Winterhurst Ic...
Lakewood, OH
Lakewood enforces strict on-street parking rules: vehicles may not remain in one spot beyond 24 hours (CO 351.18), rush-hour parking is banned on Lake Avenue...
Side-by-side rule comparisons with other cities in Cuyahoga County.
See how Lakewood's security deposit rules rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.