Ohio Rev. Code § 1923 § 1923.04
Notice - service.
Operative Text
(A) Except as provided in division (B) or (C) of this section, a party desiring to commence an action under this chapter shall notify the adverse party to leave the premises, for the possession of which the action is about to be brought, three or more days before beginning the action, by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by handing a written copy of the notice to the defendant in person, or by leaving it at the defendant's usual place of abode or at the premises from which the defendant is sought to be evicted. Every notice given under this section by a landlord to recover residential premises shall contain the following language printed or written in a conspicuous manner: "You are being asked to leave the premises. If you do not leave, an eviction action may be initiated against you. If you are in doubt regarding your legal rights and obligations as a tenant, it is recommended that you seek legal assistance." (B) The service of notice pursuant to section 5313.06 of the Revised Code constitutes compliance with the notice requirement of division (A) of this section. The service of the notice required by division (C) of section 5321.17 of the Revised Code constitutes compliance with the notice requirement of division (A) of this section. (C) If the adverse party in an action under this chapter is a deceased resident of a manufactured home park, the notice required by division (A) of this section shall be left at the premises from which the defendant is sought to be evicted and also shall be sent by ordinary mail to the following persons if their names and addresses are known to the park operator: (1) If a probate court has granted letters testamentary or of administration for the estate of the adverse party in accordance with Title XXI of the Revised Code, the executor or administrator appointed by the probate court; (2) The deceased resident's spouse and any other members of the deceased resident's immediate family.
Ohio Rev. Code § 1923.04 establishes the procedural requirements a party must follow before filing an eviction lawsuit in Ohio. At least three days before starting the action, the party seeking possession must deliver a written notice to the occupant — either by certified mail with return receipt, personal hand-delivery, or by leaving it at the occupant's home or the subject premises. When a landlord is seeking to recover residential property, the notice must also include a specific, conspicuously printed advisory informing the occupant that they may face eviction if they do not leave and recommending they seek legal assistance if uncertain about their rights.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators seeking to recover possession of residential property under Ohio Rev. Code § 1923.04 generally ensure that the pre-eviction notice is delivered at least three days before any court action is filed, using one of the approved delivery methods — certified mail with return receipt, personal hand-delivery, or leaving the notice at the premises or the resident's usual place of abode. For residential evictions, compliant operators include the statutorily required advisory language in a conspicuous manner on every notice, informing the resident of the potential eviction action and recommending they seek legal help if uncertain about their obligations. Operators dealing with a deceased manufactured-home-park resident follow the additional notice requirements in division (C), which call for notice at the premises and ordinary mail to known family members or estate representatives.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Ohio Rev. Code § 1923.04, a landlord is generally required to give you at least three days' written notice before filing an eviction action, and that notice must be delivered in one of the specific ways the statute describes. If you received a residential eviction notice, it should also contain a conspicuous advisory statement about your potential eviction and your right to seek legal assistance — the absence of this language or improper delivery may be relevant to how the eviction case proceeds. Tenants who believe a notice did not comply with § 1923.04 may raise that issue as a defense in the eviction proceeding, consult a local tenant-rights organization, or seek guidance from Ohio Legal Help or a legal aid office in their area.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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