Ohio Security Deposit Laws

Ohio does not cap the amount of a security deposit.

Key Rules

Limit
No statutory maximum
Return Deadline
30 days after tenant vacates
Itemization Required
Yes — written itemized statement of deductions required
Interest Required
Yes — for deposits over $50 or one month's rent held more than 6 months, annual interest must be paid
Bad Faith Penalty
Tenant may recover twice the amount wrongfully withheld plus attorney's fees

Applicable Statutes

Source confirmed . Confirm current requirements with local legal aid or an attorney.

Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16

Link unavailable — codes.ohio.gov is currently unreachable. This citation is unchanged.

Security deposit rules: no statutory limit on amount. Landlord must return deposit within 30 days after tenancy ends with itemized written statement of deductions. For deposits over $50 or one month's rent held for more than 6 months, interest must be paid.

Confirmed against an archived capture of the official source,

Legal Aid Resources

Ohio Legal Help

Ohio statewide

Read the Full Security Deposit Laws Guide

Our comprehensive guide covers federal law, common defenses, real-world examples, and what to do if your rights are being violated.

Read the complete Security Deposit Laws guide →

Need Personalized Guidance?

Our free wizard helps you identify your specific issue and find the right next steps.

Start the Wizard Browse Guides