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Cleveland, Ohio

Cleveland Landlord-Tenant Laws

Security deposit limits, eviction notices, rent control, and more for Cleveland, Ohio.

How we research these summaries

Every rule on this page is drawn from state statutes and municipal codes and summarized with AI assistance. Each one cites the statute it's based on and links to a published text of that law so you can read it firsthand. Where a page says a city or county has no local rule on a topic, that means none was found for the topics covered here — not that none exists. Local governments also regulate rental housing in ways these pages don't track, including registration, licensing, inspections and habitability standards. These summaries may be incomplete or out of date, laws change often, and every property and tenancy has specifics a summary can't capture — so treat this as a starting point for your own research, not as legal advice, and check with the local jurisdiction and a qualified attorney before acting on your particular situation.

What to Know in Cleveland

Sources last checked July 2026

Cleveland's Pay to Stay ordinance (2022) lets a tenant facing nonpayment eviction assert an affirmative defense by tendering all past-due rent, court costs, and late fees — capped at $25 or 5% of monthly rent — any time before the case concludes, and a tenant may satisfy the defense with a rental assistance voucher instead of cash; the court still has discretion whether to accept it. Ohio's statewide ban on rent control leaves Cleveland with no local rent cap, and the city does not require just cause to evict.

  • 3-day notice required before eviction for nonpayment of rent
  • 30-day move-out notice required for month-to-month tenancies
  • No rent control — no statutory cap on rent increases
  • Cleveland has no local ordinance specifying a required notice period before a rent increase.
  • Cleveland has no local security deposit ordinance and follows Ohio state law under Ohio Rev.
5 rules summarized · Each linked to the law it cites

Cleveland Local Rules

Eviction Notice Requirements

What are the eviction notice requirements in Cleveland?

Cleveland landlords must serve a 3-day notice before filing for eviction based on nonpayment of rent, consistent with Ohio Rev. Code § 1923.04. Cleveland Codified Ordinances § 375.13 (Ordinance 484-2022, enacted 2022) adds a local 'Pay to Stay' affirmative defense: if, after receiving a 3-day notice but before the eviction proceeding concludes, a tenant tenders all past-due rent plus court costs and any late fees, the landlord must accept payment and the tenant may assert tender as a defense. Late fees are capped locally at $25 or 5% of monthly rent, whichever is greater. Tenants may also satisfy the defense with a rental assistance voucher from an accredited social service, nonprofit, governmental, or quasi-governmental agency. The court retains discretion on whether to accept the defense. Cleveland does not require just cause to evict or decline lease renewal.

Cleveland Codified Ordinances § 375.13; Ohio Rev. Code § 1923.04
Move-Out & Lease Termination Notice

What is the move-out notice requirement in Cleveland?

Cleveland follows Ohio state law for move-out and lease termination notice requirements. Under Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17, either the landlord or the tenant must give at least 30 days' written notice before the periodic rental date to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. For week-to-week tenancies, 7 days' notice is required. Fixed-term leases end at the lease expiration date; no additional notice to vacate is required unless the lease states otherwise. Tenants should review their lease agreement for any additional notice requirements. In drug-related violation cases, landlords may issue a 3-day termination notice under § 5321.17(C).

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17
Rent Control / Rent Increase Caps

Is there rent control in Cleveland?

Cleveland cannot impose rent control or rent stabilization. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.19, enacted via HB 430 (signed June 24, 2022), prohibits all Ohio political subdivisions from enacting or enforcing rent control or rent stabilization measures on private residential properties. Cleveland City Council has not adopted any such ordinance, and any attempt to do so would be void under state law. There is no cap on the amount by which a landlord may raise rent between lease terms or upon proper notice for month-to-month tenancies.

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.19
Rent Increase Notice Periods

How much notice is required for rent increases in Cleveland?

Cleveland has no local ordinance specifying a required notice period before a rent increase. Ohio state law does not set a statutory minimum notice period, but rent cannot be raised during a fixed-term lease. For month-to-month tenants, a 30-day written notice prior to the next rental date is standard practice, consistent with the termination notice requirement under Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17. Retaliatory rent increases are prohibited under Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.02. Notice should be in writing and specify the new rent amount and effective date.

Ohio Rev. Code §§ 5321.02, 5321.17
Security Deposit Limits

What is the security deposit limit in Cleveland?

Cleveland has no local security deposit ordinance and follows Ohio state law under Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16. There is no maximum deposit amount. Deposits exceeding $50 or one month's rent must earn 5% annual interest if the tenant stays six months or more. Landlords must return the deposit within 30 days of lease termination and delivery of possession, along with an itemized statement of any deductions. Tenants must provide a written forwarding address to receive the return.

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16

Other Ohio Cities & Counties

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