Ohio Statewide Rule

Ohio Landlord Entry Notice Rules

Some RestrictionsApplies statewide across Ohio (2026)

Key Facts

Notice required: Reasonable notice; 24 hours presumed reasonable
Statute: ORC 5321.04(A)(8)
Emergency exception: Yes (no notice required)
Reasonable times only: Entry limited to reasonable times
Tenant remedy: Damages, injunction, attorney's fees, or termination (5321.04(B))

Last verified: August 21, 2026

Summary

Under Ohio Revised Code 5321.04(A)(8), a landlord must give a tenant reasonable notice before entering and may enter only at reasonable times, except in an emergency. The statute presumes that 24 hours is reasonable notice. A landlord who abuses entry rights faces damages, injunctive relief, attorney's fees, or lease termination.

(7) Not abuse the right of access conferred by division (B) of section 5321.05 of the Revised Code; (8) Except in the case of emergency or if it is impracticable to do so, give the tenant reasonable notice of the landlord's intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times. Twenty-four hours is presumed to be a reasonable notice in the absence of evidence to the contrary.

View official code

Full Breakdown

ORC 5321.04(A)(8) requires the landlord, "except in the case of emergency or if it is impracticable to do so, [to] give the tenant reasonable notice of the landlord's intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times. Twenty-four hours is presumed to be a reasonable notice in the absence of evidence to the contrary." A companion duty, ORC 5321.04(A)(7), bars the landlord from abusing the right of access under ORC 5321.05. Tenant remedies appear in ORC 5321.04(B): if a landlord enters unlawfully, enters in an unreasonable manner, or makes repeated demands for entry that harass the tenant, the tenant may recover actual damages, obtain injunctive relief, recover reasonable attorney's fees, or terminate the rental agreement.

Violations & Penalties

Under ORC 5321.04(B), unlawful, unreasonable, or harassing entry allows the tenant to recover actual damages, obtain an injunction, recover reasonable attorney's fees, or terminate the rental agreement. There is no fixed statutory fine.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much notice must an Ohio landlord give before entering?

Reasonable notice, and ORC 5321.04(A)(8) presumes 24 hours to be reasonable absent evidence to the contrary. Entry must be at reasonable times, except in an emergency or where notice is impracticable.

What can an Ohio tenant do about unlawful entry?

Under ORC 5321.04(B), a tenant may recover actual damages, obtain injunctive relief, recover reasonable attorney's fees, or terminate the rental agreement for unlawful, unreasonable, or harassing entry.

Sources

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.04 (Landlord obligations)

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