Tenant Rights And Remedies

Summary

Ohio tenants can use repair and deduct, withhold rent, or terminate the lease if landlords fail to maintain livable conditions. Seek legal counsel for detailed advice. Document all issues and communications with your landlord. Legal resources include the Legal Aid Society of Columbus, Ohio State Bar Association, and Ohio Legal Help.

Full Conversation

Landlord problems
Hello ****, I understand you're having issues with your landlord. Could you please provide more specifics about the situation? Are you facing eviction, repair issues, or something else?
Hello , I have been renting a house since Sept *, with a lot of problems that landlord said he would fix. My rent has been raised * times since I moved in. He said this would help with his bills and repairs to house. As of today Jan *, * nothing has been done. Jan *.* furnace stopped working again. (* nd time within a year and a half) Told Landlord about this. I am using space heaters to heat home. He has not come out to fix and it is Jan *,*. Instead he put a 3 day notice on my door on Jan *,* He filed eviction on January *,* I do owe for January * rent. I have no lease and every time I say something to landlord, he says he will evict me or sell house before fixing anything. Is there anything I can do to get stuff done. Just a few problems I had, furnace does not work properly ( * weeks without heat last Dec *) and frozen pipes. Bathroom upstairs leaked into kitchen this Dec. he came and cut big hole in ceiling and nothing else. This Hole is above my cooking area. Wide open with pipes ,etc showing. Not all electrical out lets work. And blows fuses a lot. Back yard full of * trailers and junk of his, he won't remove. Basement is still full of his personal stuff, which he said he would move out. Is there anything I can do? I do have pictures of things needing repaired. Thank you for your time **** Talbert
Hi ****,
I'm sorry to hear about your situation. In Ohio, landlords are legally bound to keep rental premises livable under the "implied warranty of habitability." If they fail to do so, you may:
- Use "repair and deduct" remedy: You may fix serious defects yourself and deduct up to $* or the cost of the repair, whichever is less, from your rent.
- Withhold rent: After giving reasonable notice to your landlord and they fail to act, you can deposit your rent with the clerk of the municipal or county court.
- Terminate the lease: If the defect is material and the landlord fails to remedy it within a reasonable time after notice, you may terminate the lease.
This is a brief overview of your rights. I suggest you seek legal counsel for a comprehensive understanding of your options.
Thank you
You're welcome, ****. If you decide to take any of these actions, it's crucial to document everything, including issues, attempts to contact your landlord, and any related expenses. If you need further legal assistance or need to find a local attorney, I can provide resources. Stay strong during this challenging time.
would love help with services
Sure, ****. Here are some resources that might help you:
*. Legal Aid Society of Columbus: They offer free legal services to low-income individuals. You can check their eligibility criteria on their website.
*. The Ohio State Bar Association: They have a lawyer referral service which can help you find an attorney specializing in landlord-tenant law.
*. Ohio Legal Help: An online resource with information on different legal topics, including housing and landlord-tenant issues.
Remember to document everything and keep your records safe.
Thank you. Have a good day
You're welcome, ****. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have more questions in the future. Take care and good luck with your situation.