Ohio Room Rental Agreement Template

An agreement for renting one bedroom in a shared home, with private and shared areas, house rules, a fair utility split and clear notice terms. This edition fills in the Ohio rules we could confirm and marks the rest as blanks to check.

Ohio rules for this form

Deposit limit. State law does not limit the amount of a security deposit. (Revised Code section 5321.16)

Deadline to return the deposit. The landlord has 30 days after the lease ends and the tenant gives back possession to return the deposit or send a written list of deductions with any balance. (Revised Code section 5321.16)

Notice before entry. Except in an emergency, the landlord must give reasonable notice of at least 24 hours before entering and enter at reasonable times. (Revised Code section 5321.04)

Late fees. No statute caps late fees on residential leases; a fee set in the lease is generally upheld when it is reasonable. (Ohio Revised Code chapter 5321 (no late fee statute))

Month-to-month notice. Either side ends a month to month tenancy with written notice at least 30 days before the next rent period. (Revised Code section 5321.17)

Required disclosures. Homes built before 1978 need the federal lead-based paint disclosure and the EPA pamphlet. (Residential Lead-Based Paint Hazard Reduction Act (42 U.S.C. 4852d))

Required disclosures. The lease or a written notice must give the name and address of the owner and of any agent who manages the property. (Revised Code section 5321.18)

Cities and counties in Ohio can add their own rules on top of these. Check local ordinances before you sign.

What is in the template

1. Parties
2. The room and shared areas
3. Term
4. Rent
5. Utilities and household costs
6. Security deposit
7. House rules
8. Privacy and entry
9. Care and repairs
10. Ending this Agreement for a breach
11. Moving out
12. General terms
13. Signatures

Before you use it

• A room rental agreement covers one private room plus shared use of common areas like the kitchen and bathroom.
• House rules on guests, quiet hours, cleaning and shared costs prevent most housemate disputes.
• Some states treat a renter who lives with the owner differently, especially for eviction, so check before you rely on it.
• Fair housing law still applies to most room rentals, though some owner-occupied homes have narrow exemptions.

For the full explanation of this form, read our guide to the room rental agreement.