Landlord Law – Zukowsky Law LLC

Landlord Lawyers Serving Cleveland, Ohio

As a common type of property ownership in the United States, the landlord/tenant relationship is one that significantly impacts the United States economy. Whether it is residential or commercial real estate, landlords ensure that people and businesses have the ability to create an environment that benefits them, their families, and/or their company.

At Zukowsky Law, we have experience providing comprehensive legal services to landlords within the state of Ohio, and will ensure that your legal and financial rights remain protected. To learn more about how we can help, contact our experienced and dedicated Ohio landlord lawyers at Zukowsky Law today.

Landlord-Tenant Laws in Ohio

Chapter 5321 of the Ohio Revised Code governs all aspects of landlord-tenant relations in the state. According to these laws, a landlord is the owner or lessor of a property (or the agent thereof) who manages the premises and receives rent from a tenant based on the terms of a rental agreement. A tenant, on the other hand, is any person who is entitled to use and reside in a rental property.

Landlords and tenants both have specific rights and obligations under the law. A landlord is required by law to:

Not discriminate against a person based on race, color, disability, religion, sex, family status, military status, or national origin.
Provide disclosure related to lead paint as well as a federal pamphlet on the hazards of lead-based paint.
Comply with building, housing, and safety codes
Return the tenant’s security deposit in full or, if reduced, provide an itemized list of how the security deposit is being used.
Provide heat, running water, and hot water
Complete repairs as necessary
Ensure that the tenant has proper garbage disposal services
Provide written notice of at least 24 hours to a tenant if they plan to enter the property to make complete repairs or inspect the premises
Have a lease in place, preferably written

Under Ohio law, tenants also have specific legal duties as well. These duties include:

Paying rent on time and in full
Maintaining the property and keeping it free of excessive garbage and other hazards
Abide by building and housing codes
Keep appliances provided by the landlord in good working condition
Avoid damaging the unit
Allow the landlord to enter the premises, assuming the request is reasonable and proper notice has been given
Respect the peace and privacy of other neighbors

If either party fails to uphold their legal obligations, they may pursue legal action to resolve the issue. If you are facing a circumstance where the other party has failed to uphold their legal duties, one of our knowledgeable landlord lawyers at Zukowsky Law would welcome the opportunity to visit with you more about your legal options.

Zukowsky Law Offers Comprehensive Landlord-Tenant Services

At Zukowsky Law, we offer legal guidance and representation regarding landlord/tenant law, and have extensive experience helping landlords ensure their legal rights are protected. Our dedicated attorneys work diligently to quickly resolve even the most complex legal issues.

Some of the most common issues that our Ohio landlord lawyers have successfully handled for our clients include the following:

Eviction

A landlord has the legal right to evict a tenant under specific circumstances. An eviction action may be brought against a tenant for the following reasons:

Failure to pay rent on time and in full
Continued residing in the unit after the termination or expiration of the rental agreement
Failure to abide by the terms and conditions of the lease agreement

Before evicting a tenant, a landlord must provide notice of and reason for the eviction. Depending on the reason for eviction, a landlord may be required to provide either 3-day or 30-day notice. In cases where a tenant has failed to pay rent or a search warrant is being executed against the tenant due to illegal drug activity, a 3-day notice is required. In all other situations, a 30-day notice is necessary. The notice period does not include weekends or holidays.

If the tenant does not vacate the premises in the allotted time, an Ohio landlord may file a Complaint in Forcible Entry and Detainer to remove the tenant. This eviction action is filed at the appropriate court, depending on the city where the rental property is located. For Cleveland residents, the Housing Division of the Cleveland Municipal Court oversees civil eviction cases. Once the eviction action has been submitted, the court will schedule a hearing and notify the tenant at least ten days before the date of the hearing.

At the same time that the landlord files the eviction action, they may also file a second cause of action to recover monetary damages for unpaid rent, moving expenses, or destruction of property. If the tenant fails to respond to the complaint within 28 days, the court can issue a default judgment for the landlord.

Lease Agreements

Lease agreements are complex legal documents that must be carefully drafted in order to be valid and enforceable. Even the smallest errors in a lease agreement can have serious legal and financial consequences. We help our clients draft, review, and negotiate lease agreements with tenants, ensuring that their interests are upheld at every step of the process. Through our counsel, we mitigate the likelihood of future legal disputes and costly court proceedings due to misinterpretations of the lease agreement.

Other Landlord-Tenant Disputes

There are a range of legal issues that may arise in the landlord-tenant relationship. Our team of Ohio landlord lawyers help our clients navigate complex legal challenges related to lease disputes, delayed rent payments, unaddressed repairs, breaches in the lease agreement, and other legal matters.

Speak With an Experienced Ohio Landlord Lawyer To Learn More

Navigating complex landlord-tenant issues can quickly become stressful and overwhelming. The requirements and obligations surrounding these matters can result in serious financial and legal consequences if legal documents are executed incorrectly. If you are seeking legal remedy due to a breach of lease or other related landlord/tenant issue, consider contacting our experienced landlord attorneys to ensure you understand all of your legal options.

At Zukowsky Law, we have spent years representing individuals in all aspects of landlord/tenant disputes. We utilize a comprehensive approach to ensure that our clients are protected, and their rights are upheld. To begin the process of pursuing legal resolution for your situation, consider contacting our experienced Ohio landlord lawyers at (216) 800-5529 today.