How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Ohio?

In Ohio, a landlord must return the deposit, with an itemized statement for any deductions, within 30 days of move-out.

What is the small claims limit for a deposit dispute in Ohio?

Small claims court in Ohio handles disputes up to $6,000.

Ohio security deposit law

⚠️ Not legal advice. DepositShield is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. This information is not guaranteed to be accurate, complete, or current — laws change and vary by city and situation. Verify it with an official source and consult a licensed attorney or your local tenants’ rights organization before relying on it or acting. Using DepositShield does not create an attorney-client relationship.

Return deadline

30 days

Small claims limit

$6,000

What you need to know

• Deposit + itemized deductions due within 30 days of move-out.
• Give your forwarding address in writing — it’s required to collect double damages.
• Wrongfully withheld amounts are doubled, and the landlord pays your attorney’s fees.

Itemization: Itemized statement of deductions required within 30 days; you must supply a forwarding address in writing.

Interest: 5% interest on the portion exceeding $50 or one month’s rent, for tenancies of 6+ months.

Deposit cap: No statutory cap.

If they wrongfully withhold: Wrongful withholding: double the amount wrongfully withheld + attorney’s fees.

Statute: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16

What’s at stake for you?

Deadlines and penalties are state law — check yours, then lock in the evidence.

Your state

Your security deposit ($)

💰 At stake: your $1,500 deposit.

⏱ Deadline: Ohio landlords must act within 30 days of move-out.

⚖️ Your leverage: wrongful withholding could cost your landlord up to $3,000 (Wrongful withholding: double the amount wrongfully withheld + attorney’s fees.)

🏛 If it comes to it: small claims in Ohio handles up to $6,000 — no lawyer needed.

None of this matters without evidence.

Document your place in 5 minutes — every photo timestamped and hash-verified.

Protect my $1,500 deposit — free

⚠️ Estimates for general information only — not legal advice and not guaranteed to be accurate. State laws change; verify current law before relying on this. Actual outcomes depend on the facts, your local law, and the courts.

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DepositShield is not a law firm and this is not legal advice. This information is not guaranteed to be accurate, complete, or current — laws change and vary by city and situation. Verify it with an official source and consult a licensed attorney or your local tenants’ rights organization before relying on it or acting. Using DepositShield does not create an attorney-client relationship.