Landlord Lease Violation Ohio

Summary

In Ohio, landlords must provide habitable premises, including addressing pest infestations. A signed lease, even if handwritten, is generally binding. If the landlord took the keys back without allowing you to move in, it is considered an illegal eviction. You may be entitled to sue for damages, including hotel costs incurred due to the landlords breach of contract. Consult a local attorney for detailed advice.

Full Conversation

Landlord backed out of lease before we could even move in
Hello ****, I'm sorry to hear about your situation. Has the landlord given you a reason for backing out of the lease?
We discovered the home was infested with bed bugs and he refused to exterminate
Hello ****, in Ohio:
- Landlords are legally required to provide habitable premises, which includes addressing pest infestations.
- If they refuse, you can contact your local health department or consider terminating the lease.
Do you have a copy of the lease agreement?
I have a paper handwritten by him with his signature
Hello ****, in Ohio:
- A signed lease agreement, even if handwritten, is generally legally binding.
- If the landlord is in violation of the lease terms, you may have grounds to seek legal remedies.
Do you have any specific clauses related to pest control in your agreement?
No
In Ohio:
- If there are no specific clauses related to pest control, the landlord still has an obligation to maintain a habitable property.
- You may consider legal action if the landlord fails to fulfill this obligation.
He took the keys back from us and we werent able to move in
In Ohio:
- If the landlord took the keys without allowing you to move in, it's considered an illegal eviction.
- You may be entitled to seek damages for breach of contract.
Would you like information on local legal aid services?
We had to live in hotels for 4 months because of this
In Ohio:
- You may be entitled to sue for damages resulting from the landlord's breach of contract.
- These could include costs you incurred living in a hotel.
- Consult with a local attorney for detailed advice.
Thank you
You're welcome, ****. If you have any other questions or need further information, feel free to ask. Wishing you the best with your situation.
Ok i will
Excellent, ****. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need any more legal guidance. We're here to help. Good luck with your situation.