State law · statute quotes
Ohio security deposit laws for landlords and property managers
The words of Ohio's security deposit statute on each topic, quoted verbatim with pinpoint citations and links to the official source. No summaries, no interpretation.
Reviewed by Mark Shvaya, licensed California real estate broker (DRE #02243502), who uses ProFlow360 in a rental portfolio Mark manages
Last reviewed
Quoted on this page
- Deposit limit
- Returning the deposit
- Itemized statement
- Inspections and condition reports
- Photographs
- Normal wear and tear
- Interest
- Wrongful withholding
Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16
On this page
What this page covers
Ohio's residential security deposit provisions quoted here come from Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16. Below are the statute's own words on 4 topics, each with a pinpoint citation and a link to the official text. This page does not summarize or interpret the law.
What does Ohio law say about returning the deposit?
Any deduction from the security deposit shall be itemized and identified by the landlord in a written notice delivered to the tenant together with the amount due, within thirty days after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession.
What does Ohio law say about an itemized statement of deductions?
Any deduction from the security deposit shall be itemized and identified by the landlord in a written notice delivered to the tenant together with the amount due ... The tenant shall provide the landlord in writing with a forwarding address or new address to which the written notice and amount due from the landlord may be sent.
What does Ohio law say about interest on deposits?
Any security deposit in excess of fifty dollars or one month's periodic rent, whichever is greater, shall bear interest on the excess at the rate of five per cent per annum if the tenant remains in possession of the premises for six months or more, and shall be computed and paid annually by the landlord to the tenant.
What does Ohio law say about wrongful withholding?
If the landlord fails to comply with division (B) of this section, the tenant may recover the property and money due him, together with damages in an amount equal to the amount wrongfully withheld, and reasonable attorneys fees.
Not quoted on this page
deposit limit, inspections and condition reports, photographs, normal wear and tear. That does not mean Ohio law is silent on them; other sections or local rules may apply. Read the full statute.
Has Ohio's security deposit law changed recently?
From our review of the official history notes: Official page shows the section effective November 4, 1974 (Senate Bill 103, 110th General Assembly) with no later amendment listed. No 2024–2026 changes.
How does ProFlow360 help you document a Ohio tenancy?
ProFlow360 records and organizes inspection evidence; it does not tell you what the statute requires or allows. What it records, for any state:
- Move-in, routine, pre-move-out and move-out inspections with photos timestamped at capture.
- Each move-out photo beside its move-in match, filed under the tenancy.
- Itemized lines with your classification, the amount you entered, and the estimate or invoice attached.
- An issued record that is sealed, shared by a link that expires and can be revoked.
Do this in ProFlow360
Keep the photos, the call and the invoice on the same line
Every deduction line carries the move-in and move-out photos, your classification and its documents, so the record can be followed by someone who was not there.
Kitchen · counter burn, left of range
Line 2 of 5 · TEN-0418
MI-21 · Jul 12, 2024
MO-29 · Sep 30, 2026Security deposit statutes in nearby states
Sources
Sources checked October 16, 2026.
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