Publications and Policies > Fire Safety > Fire Safety in Off-Campus Housing > Landlord Tenant Act > Landlord's Responsibilities

Please note: The information presented here does not constitute legal advice.

Obligations of Landlord
(Sec 5321.04, Ohio Revised Code)

The landlord must fulfill the following responsibilities:

• Comply with the requirements of any building, housing health, or safety codes which materially affect health and safety.
  
  
• Make all repairs and do whatever is reasonably necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition.
  
  
• Keep the common area of the premises (including walks, etc.) safe and sanitary.
  
  
• Provide trash and waste receptacles, if there are four or more apartments in the building, and arrange for their removal.
  
  
• Supply running water, a reasonable amount of hot water, and reasonable heat at all times, except where there is a direct utility hook-up that the tenant controls.
  
  
• Give the tenant reasonable notice of his intent to enter into a tenant's apartment and enter only at reasonable times, except in case of an emergency. 24 hours is presumed reasonable except in cases of emergency.
  
  
• Provide the tenant with the name and address of the owner and his agent, if any, in writing, at the beginning of tenancy. If written lease, the owners name and address must be in the lease.
  
  
• Keep all electrical, plumbing, hearing, ventilating, and air conditioning fixtures and appliances and elevators in good and safe working condition, when these things are supplied or required to be supplied by the landlord.
  
  
• Not harass the tenant by unreasonable or repeated demands to enter the tenant's apartment. If the landlord or his agent enters without the tenant's permission or repeatedly demands entry, the tenant can recover actual damages resulting from the landlord's entering.
  
  
• Commence eviction action under Chapters 1923 and 5321 of the Ohio Revised Code if a tenant or any person on the premises has or presently is engaged in the use, distribution, or possession of controlled substances.