Landlord & tenant · Ohio

Can I sue for a landlord keeping my deposit in Ohio?

the short answer

Give your landlord a forwarding address in writing. In Ohio that step is what protects your claim, and without it you get nothing. The landlord then has 30 days to return your deposit. If you sue and win, you recover the amount kept wrongly a second time as damages, plus reasonable attorney's fees.

source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.

Which law covers security deposits in Ohio?

governing statute

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16

source ↗Checked against the statute on 2026-08-19

How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Ohio?

deadline

30 days

source ↗Checked against the statute on 2026-08-19

Across the country. 23 of the 47 states written up answer this the same way as Ohio. The shortest is 14 days, as in Alaska; the longest is 60 days, as in Alabama. Compare every state →

What is the penalty if a landlord keeps your deposit in Ohio?

penalty

Damages equal to the amount wrongfully withheld, plus reasonable attorney's fees (§ 5321.16(C)) — but only if you gave the landlord a written forwarding address.

source ↗Checked against the statute on 2026-08-19

Which court hears a case like this in Ohio?

which court

Small claims division of the municipal or county court

source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.

How much can you sue for in Ohio small claims court?

small claims limit

$6,000

source ↗Not yet checked against the statute.

your situation

That is the rule. Whether it is your answer is a different question.

Everything above is the law as it reaches everyone in Ohio. What it means for you turns on facts only you have. Tell us what happened and we'll ask the same questions a lawyer would — about 90 seconds, free, and anonymous.

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