Tenant Rights In Ohio

Summary

Without a lease, you are considered an at-will tenant in Ohio and can be evicted with notice. Ohio law requires landlords to maintain livable conditions; you can file a complaint and possibly withhold rent if repairs are not made. Personal insults are not illegal, but harassment can be actionable. Landlords cannot evict tenants as retaliation for reporting violations or withholding rent for necessary repairs. Consult a local attorney for personalized advice.

Full Conversation

****
Nice to meet you, ****! How can I assist you with your legal issue today?
I have a few questions
Sure ****, I'm here to help. Could you please tell me what your questions are and provide a bit more detail about your situation? Also, could you let me know your location as legal rules can vary by region?
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Hello ****, it appears you've entered a zip code, *. This is located in Columbus, Ohio. How may I assist you with your legal issue today in that context?
*. I am living with family who are being evicted. There is no lease in place. How can this eviction fall on me if it isn't my house? *. Holes in walls and ceilings, broken doors, no bannister on the stairs and he wants $*,* but he refuses to make repairs and says I don't have a leg to stand on in court, is he right? *. He told me to my face when my child ends up on the streets I'm her mother so it's my fault. Can he legally bad mouth my parenting that way?
*. Without a lease, you are considered an "at-will" tenant in Ohio. Legally, you can be evicted with a notice.
*. Ohio law requires landlords to maintain livable conditions. If not, you can file a complaint and possibly withhold rent.
*. Personal insults are not illegal, but if it becomes harassment, you can take legal action.
These are complex issues, so please consult a local attorney.
But can he basically black mail us by saying we have to pay the $*,* before he makes any needed repairs or be evicted?
Under Ohio law, landlords cannot evict tenants as retaliation for reporting violations or withholding rent for necessary repairs. This might be considered a form of "constructive eviction". You may want to consult a local attorney for advice.