Housing Information

By following these simple steps, you may be able to avoid legal problems later.

1. When shopping for a place to live, review the address you are considering on file with the Wood County Health Department. Check with the utility company to determine previous winters’ heating costs. If applicable, talk with current and prior tenants of the landlord you are considering.

2. Read your lease. Any provision of your lease that conflicts with the landlord-tenant law is not enforceable.

3. Do not agree to an oral modification of a written lease. Write down all modifications and sign with the landlord.

4. Do not pay rent in cash. Get receipts.

5. Avoid “shared utilities systems.” (Several apartments and one electric/water bill.)

6. Photograph/videotape/document the condition of the apartment when you move in and when you move out. This can increase the chances of getting your security deposit back.

7. Contact your landlord IN WRITING at the first sign of an issue or problem in your apartment. 

8. Make a copy of everything you send the landlord. Keep everything you receive from the landlord.

9. No matter the circumstances, do not argue with your landlord.

10. Do not accept legal advice from your landlord.

11. Be a good neighbor. Respect communal spaces.

12. Meet all of your legal obligations. (See ‘Tenant Responsibilities’)

13. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.

14. When you move out, leave a written forwarding address for your old landlord.

15. Seek help from Student Legal Services at the first sign of a problem.

16. If your landlord fails to repair a problem that materially affects your health and safety, you may be able to escrow your rent with the court. (See ‘Rent Escrow’)

17. If possible, try not to rent from an employer or work for your landlord.

18. Landlords must give reasonable notice before entering the apartment. This notice does not apply in cases of emergencies.

19. If problems arise between housemates or a landlord, consider mediation as an option for conflict resolution.

20. Know where the fire extinguishers are and make sure they are in working condition. Check smoke detectors monthly.

Jump to a Section:
What is a Security Deposit? | Preventative Measures | Know Your Rights
 

What is a Security Deposit?

According to Ohio law, the “security deposit” is officially defined as “any deposit of money or property to secure performance by the tenant under a rental agreement.” A landlord is permitted to request a security deposit of any amount, but in general it is equal to one month’s rent.

Preventative Measures

The law is very specific about what a landlord may withhold from your security deposit. Unfortunately, some landlords keep this money illegally. They are counting on the fact that you will move from town or will be too busy and discouraged to pursue the matter. Early preparation is the best way to make sure that this does not happen to you.

• Document your apartment with photographs and video on the first day you move in and on the last day you are there.
• Clean your place before you leave.
• Leave your keys and a written forwarding address.

Your landlord has 30 days to return your money after you have given the residence back to them.

Please contact our offices for more information on security deposits, moving in and out, legal remedies and other housing legal information.

Know Your Rights!

You are not liable, as a tenant, for normal wear and tear.

Some landlords in Bowling Green have grown complacent with the fact that students will not pursue matters regarding security deposits. By taking action and empowering yourself, you will improve the situation for generations of student tenants to come.

Besides paying rent on time, tenants have other legal obligations. In general, they must avoid damaging the apartment. Specifically the tenant must:

1. Keep your residence safe and sanitary.

2. Dispose of trash and garbage in a sanitary manner. 

3. Keep all appliances that the landlord provides in good working order.

4. Keep  electrical and plumbing fixtures clean and use them properly.

5. Not damage the apartment or permit guests or visitors to do so.

6. Not disturb other tenants.

7. Permit your landlord to enter your apartment if you receive at least 24 hours notice, except with good reason.

8. Make certain that you or your guests do not violate Ohio’s drug/alcohol laws.

Tenants are responsible to landlords for any damage caused that is “beyond normal wear and tear.” A landlord can take money out of a tenant’s security deposit after the tenant has moved out and may also sue for additional damages. Tenants are not responsible for normal wear and tear (i.e. repainting walls or replacing appliances that break down after long-term use). 

A landlord can ask a judge to evict a tenant if these obligations are not met. To evict for violation of one of these obligations, the tenant must receive a written notice of the violation. If the tenant fails to remedy the condition within 30 days, the landlord may begin an eviction action in court. If a tenant makes repairs to the apartment, a landlord will not be required to pay the tenant back for the work performed except according to a written agreement of if the tenant can convince the Court that the landlord made a promise to pay.

Getting Things Fixed

The relationship between landlord and tenant is ideally friendly. When issues arise the tenant should make a verbal and written request that repairs be made. Usually, the landlord responds quickly and the repair is made. However, sometimes problems occur in this process.

At the first sign of a persisting issue, WRITE the landlord about what needs to be repaired. Keep a copy of your correspondence. If necessary, contact the Wood County Health Department at 419-352-8402 and request an inspection for housing code violations. If problems still persist, you may be able to escrow your rent with the court or terminate the lease. You must be current in your rent payment in order to escrow.

For tenants who have decided that rent escrow is the only way their landlord will follow through with necessary repairs, the following steps must be taken:

Step 1: Define Your Problem
Step 2: Notice to Remedy Conditions
Step 3: Request an Inspection
Step 4: Depositing Your Rent in Escrow
Step 5: Going to Court

Please contact our office for more information regarding rent escrow.

The landlord must:

1. Supply the tenant with the landlord’s name and address in writing.

2. Make the residence comply with all building, housing, and health codes which significantly affect health and safety.

3. Make all repairs necessary to make the residence livable.

4. Supply running water, reasonable amounts of hot water and heat at all times.

5. Keep all hallways and stairways safe and sanitary.

6. Provide garbage cans (for four or more units in the same building).

7. Give the tenant at least 24 hours notice before entering the residence. A landlord cannot walk in for any reason. Except for an emergency, a tenant may refuse to admit the landlord if proper notice has not been given.

Landlords are prohibited by law from the following:

1. A landlord cannot do anything to prevent a tenant from exercising their rights. The landlord may not increase rent, decrease services, bring or threaten to bring an eviction because a tenant contacted the Wood County Health Department, or sought advice from SLS.

2. A landlord is not permitted to shut off any utilities, change the locks on any residence or threaten any of these acts in order to make a tenant move out of a residence.

3. A landlord cannot harass a tenant by repeatedly demanding to enter a residence or by entering at unreasonable times of the day.

4. A landlord is not permitted to remove any property belonging to a tenant from a dwelling without proper court order. 

Even if a tenant is behind on rent payment, a landlord has no right to do any of the things listed in this section. If the landlord does, the tenant should consult SLS.

If you are considering Renter’s Insurance for your college housing, first, check with your parent’s Insurance Agent. Many homeowner insurance policies provide coverage to children temporarily living away from home. If you are not covered, start reaching out to several agents for coverage cost quotes.

There are many types of renter's insurance. Make sure you know what type of protection you are getting. Some policies will protect from fire, theft and flood; others will limit payments to certain types of losses. Choose a plan with the amount of protection you think you will need.

• Replacement insurance will pay to replace your belongings. For example, you will receive the amount of money nevessary to buy a new item.
• Fair market insurance will give you the cash value of an item at the time it was destroyed. For example, you will receive the estimated amount that the item would have been sold for at a garage sale.
• Certain types of renter's insurance will also pay for the cost of personal injury on a rental property.

It is NOT your landlord's responsibility to cover the cost of your belongings or to pay for items that are damaged or stolen by others. If you want to be sure you are covered, you should purchase renter's insurance.             

• Know where the fire extinguishers are. Make sure they are in working order and that the charge has not expired.
• Check smoke detectors monthly.
• If you use natural gas, be sure your residence has a carbon monoxide detector.
• Lock your doors at night.
• Secure all valuables when leaving for long weekends and breaks.
• Consider renter's insurance to ensure protection of belongings.

• Live with people you know and trust well.
• Respect others and their possessions. Disrespect is the fastest way to an argument.
• Share household responsibilities. Consider making an alternating chore list.

Conflict is inevitable. It is best to deal with it in a healthy way. If problems arise, consider mediation to resolve disputes.