Ohio Rev. Code § 4781 § 4781.44
Partial release of rent before trial.
Operative Text
(A) If a park operator brings an action for the release of rent deposited with a clerk of court, the court may, during the pendency of the action, upon application of the park operator, release part of the rent on deposit for payment of the periodic interest on a mortgage on the premises, the periodic principal payments on a mortgage on the premises, the insurance premiums for the premises, real estate taxes on the premises, utility services, repairs, and other customary and usual costs of operating the premises. (B) In determining whether to release rent for the payments described in division (A) of this section, the court shall consider the amount of rent the park operator receives from other lots, the cost of operating these lots, and the costs which may be required to remedy the condition contained in the notice given pursuant to division (A) of section 4781.41 of the Revised Code.
Ohio Rev. Code § 4781.44 establishes a procedure by which a manufactured home park operator, while a rent-deposit dispute is pending in court, may ask the court to release a portion of the escrowed rent to cover ongoing operating costs. These costs can include mortgage interest and principal, insurance premiums, real estate taxes, utility services, and routine repairs. Before granting such a release, the court must weigh the operator's income from other lots, the costs of running those lots, and the estimated expense of fixing whatever condition triggered the original notice under § 4781.41.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ohio Rev. Code § 4781.44, a park operator who has filed an action for release of deposited rent may petition the court mid-proceeding for a partial disbursement to keep the property financially operational. Compliant operators typically document their ongoing mortgage obligations, insurance premiums, tax bills, utility costs, and repair expenses to support such an application. Courts also examine revenue and costs from other lots in the park, so operators generally maintain clear, lot-by-lot financial records to facilitate that review.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ohio Rev. Code § 4781.44 gives tenants an interest in how escrowed rent is handled during a pending court action, because any partial release reduces the funds held as leverage over unresolved conditions. Tenants should be aware that the court must consider the cost of remedying the condition described in the § 4781.41 notice before approving any disbursement, meaning the underlying habitability issue remains part of the court's analysis. Tenants facing this situation may benefit from contacting a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand how to present information about the unresolved condition to the court.
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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