Ohio Rev. Code § 5321 § 5321.16
Procedures for security deposits.
Operative Text
(A) Any security deposit in excess of fifty dollars or one month's periodic rent, whichever is greater, shall bear interest on the excess at the rate of five per cent per annum if the tenant remains in possession of the premises for six months or more, and shall be computed and paid annually by the landlord to the tenant. (B) Upon termination of the rental agreement any property or money held by the landlord as a security deposit may be applied to the payment of past due rent and to the payment of the amount of damages that the landlord has suffered by reason of the tenant's noncompliance with section 5321.05 of the Revised Code or the rental agreement. Any deduction from the security deposit shall be itemized and identified by the landlord in a written notice delivered to the tenant together with the amount due, within thirty days after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession. The tenant shall provide the landlord in writing with a forwarding address or new address to which the written notice and amount due from the landlord may be sent. If the tenant fails to provide the landlord with the forwarding or new address as required, the tenant shall not be entitled to damages or attorneys fees under division (C) of this section. (C) If the landlord fails to comply with division (B) of this section, the tenant may recover the property and money due him, together with damages in an amount equal to the amount wrongfully withheld, and reasonable attorneys fees.
Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16 establishes rules governing how landlords must handle security deposits. When a deposit exceeds fifty dollars or one month's rent (whichever is greater) and the tenant has lived in the unit for at least six months, the landlord must pay five percent annual interest on the excess amount each year. When a tenancy ends, the landlord has thirty days after the tenant vacates to return any remaining deposit funds along with an itemized written statement of any deductions; failure to comply can expose the landlord to liability for double the amount wrongfully withheld plus the tenant's reasonable attorney fees.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Operators subject to Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16 generally track whether a security deposit exceeds the statutory threshold and, once a tenant has been in residence for six months, calculate and pay five percent annual interest on the excess portion each year. Upon move-out, compliant landlords document all deductions in a written, itemized notice and deliver it along with any remaining funds within thirty days of both the termination of the rental agreement and the return of possession. Maintaining accurate records of the tenant's forwarding address—and noting whether the tenant provided one in writing—is a standard part of the deposit-return process under this section.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Under Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16, tenants who have lived in a unit for six months or more and whose deposit exceeds fifty dollars or one month's rent are entitled to annual interest at five percent on the excess amount. When a tenancy ends, tenants have a right to receive an itemized written accounting of any deductions and the remaining deposit balance within thirty days, provided they have given the landlord a written forwarding address. If a landlord fails to comply with the thirty-day itemization requirement, § 5321.16(C) allows tenants to pursue recovery of the withheld amount plus an equal amount in damages and reasonable attorney fees—paths that tenant-rights organizations or legal aid offices can help evaluate.
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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