Cincinnati Landlord Laws, the 2026 Quick Guide (ORC 5321)

Cincinnati operates under Ohio state landlord-tenant law (ORC Chapter 5321) with Hamilton County and City of Cincinnati overlays. The mandatory verbatim "you are being asked to leave" notice (ORC 1923.04) applies. This is the Cincinnati-specific quick reference for 2026.

## Ohio baseline

• Security deposit: no statutory cap.
• Deposit interest: 5%/yr required for deposits > $50/mo rent + tenancy ≥6 months (ORC 5321.16(A)).
• Return deadline: 30 days (ORC 5321.16(B)).
• Eviction notice: 3 calendar days with verbatim language (ORC 1923.04).
• Termination: 30 days month-to-month (ORC 5321.17).
• Habitability: ORC 5321.04 + tenant escrow (ORC 5321.07).

## Cincinnati-specific rules

Cincinnati overlay:

• Cincinnati Housing Code: city inspections.
• Hamilton County Source-of-Income Ordinance: enacted 2021, prohibits Section 8 voucher discrimination in Hamilton County (Cincinnati's home county).
• Hamilton County Right to Counsel pilots in some districts.
• Lead-Safe: federal + Cincinnati Department of Health certification for pre-1978.
• Rental Registration: required for some Cincinnati neighborhoods (post-2019 ordinances).

## Cincinnati FED process

Cincinnati evictions go through Hamilton County Municipal Court:

1. 3-day notice with verbatim ORC 1923.04 language.
2. FED Complaint filing.
3. Hearing within 14-30 days.
4. Writ of restitution.

## Common mistakes

Missing verbatim notice language. Hamilton County Municipal strictly enforces.

Refusing Section 8 vouchers in Cincinnati. Hamilton County Source-of-Income Ordinance prohibits this.

Operating unregistered in covered Cincinnati neighborhoods. Some areas require landlord registration.

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