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

Ohio law gives landlords 30 days to return the deposit or send an itemized list of deductions, under Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B) (deadline and itemization); § 5321.16(C) (damages).

What can a landlord deduct from a security deposit in Ohio?

Under Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B) (deadline and itemization); § 5321.16(C) (damages), allowed deductions generally include past due rent and damages the landlord suffered by reason of the tenant's noncompliance with r.c. § 5321.05 or with the rental agreement. Normal wear and tear is not deductible.

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Ohio security deposit law

Security Deposit Laws in Ohio

Your landlord has 30 days under Ohio law to return your security deposit, or you may be owed more than what they withheld. If they keep more than they're legally allowed, you can dispute it.

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When did you move out?

This is the one that matters. Your clock starts the day you handed back the keys — not the day your landlord replies.

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Ohio security deposit return timeline

Deadline to return

30 days

Statute

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B) (deadline and itemization); § 5321.16(C) (damages)

Any deduction must be itemized and identified in a written notice delivered to the tenant TOGETHER WITH the amount due, within 30 days after termination of the rental agreement AND delivery of possession — BOTH events must have occurred to start the clock (§ 5321.16(B)). CONDITION THAT CHANGES THE REMEDY BUT NOT THE DEBT: the tenant must provide the landlord IN WRITING with a forwarding or new address. If the tenant fails to do so, the tenant is not entitled to damages or attorney's fees under division (C) — but the tenant does NOT lose the right to the deposit itself, which remains recoverable. Separately, § 5321.16(A) requires interest at 5% per annum on any deposit exceeding $50 or one month's rent (whichever is greater) where the tenant remains in possession six months or more, computed and paid annually.

What can a landlord legally deduct in Ohio?

Allowed

✓Past due rent
✓Damages the landlord suffered by reason of the tenant's noncompliance with R.C. § 5321.05 or with the rental agreement

Not allowed

✗Any amount falling outside the two statutory categories — § 5321.16(B) authorizes application of the deposit only to past-due rent and to damages from the tenant's noncompliance with § 5321.05 or the rental agreement

What if your landlord keeps your deposit wrongfully in Ohio?

If the landlord fails to comply with division (B), the tenant may recover the property and money due, TOGETHER WITH damages in an amount equal to the amount wrongfully withheld, and reasonable attorney's fees (§ 5321.16(C)). In practical effect this is DOUBLE the wrongfully withheld sum (the amount itself plus an equal sum in damages) plus fees. This remedy is forfeited — but the underlying deposit is NOT — where the tenant failed to give the landlord a written forwarding or new address.

How TenantNex helps

1. Tell us your move-out date, deposit amount, and landlord's address — two minutes.
2. We generate a demand letter citing Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B) (deadline and itemization); § 5321.16(C) (damages) and your exact deadline.
3. We mail it to your landlord via USPS Certified Mail with return receipt.
4. You track delivery on your case page, with day-7 and day-14 follow-up.

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Ohio tenant rights resources

HUD — tenant rights and resources
Find your state's consumer protection / Attorney General office
Key statute: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B) (deadline and itemization); § 5321.16(C) (damages) — verified against the official text on 2026-09-04.

Every fact on this page is verified against Ohio's official statutory text as of 2026-09-04. TenantNex is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. For complex disputes, consult a licensed attorney in Ohio.

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Your money is due back

30 days

Ohio law sets this deadline — your landlord must return your deposit or itemize deductions by then.

If they wrongfully withhold

up to 2× your deposit

Add your deposit amount above for the exact figure.

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B) (deadline and itemization); § 5321.16(C) (damages) — verified against the official statute 2026-09-04

Your 30 days started the day you moved out — that clock is running right now whether or not your landlord acts, and the 2× penalty only exists if you demanded it in writing before it closed.

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We don't stop at mailing it. If your landlord doesn't respond, we follow up at day 7 and day 14 — and help you build the evidence and paperwork for small claims if it comes to that. Real result: we helped Kathleen A. (Ohio) recover her full $3,000 deposit this way.

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Option	Price	Effort	Follow-up
Do it yourself	—	All of it	You chase
TenantNex	$39	Done for you	We chase
Small-claims services	$149–448	—	—
Hire an attorney	$300–2,000+	—	—

An attorney starts at $300. Filing services charge $149 for the letter alone. We prepare the whole claim for $39.

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$39

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We run your claim until you are paid — or you are ready to file.

Step 1 — certified demand letter citing your state statute, deadline and penalty
Mailed USPS Certified with return receipt, tracked to your landlord’s door
Step 2 — day-14 notice of intent to file, the one most landlords act on
Step 3 — your small-claims packet: the right form for your county, filled in
Where to file, what it costs, and how to serve your landlord
Evidence checklist, with your certified receipt as Exhibit A
Counter-response letter if your landlord disputes or underpays
Attorney referral if it is still unresolved after 21 days

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TenantNex is not a law firm. We prepare and send correspondence using publicly available state statutes. We do not provide legal advice, legal representation, or guarantee any outcome. For complex legal matters, consult a licensed attorney in your state.