Akron Landlord-Tenant Rules
Akron adds local rules on top of Ohio landlord-tenant law. Here is what is different, with the city code or agency page behind each rule.
| Tenant right to counsel (pilot) | Akron funds a three-year Right to Counsel pilot, launched September 15, 2025, with an initial $250,000 a year. Community Legal Aid represents Akron tenants facing eviction, and United Way of Summit & Medina coordinates services and some rental assistance. Tenants generally need to apply at least 7 days before their eviction hearing. Priority goes first to households at or below 100% of the federal poverty level with children, then to people at that income level who are 60 or older and have a disability. Tenants who do not qualify may still get limited help and referrals. Information on requesting services comes with the court's eviction notice. The launch date is confirmed on the City's 'Living Together' progress page (updated March 2026): https://www.akronohio.gov/government/mayor_s_office/living_together.php. The ordinance number was not found. |
|---|---|
| Pay-to-stay defense & late-fee cap | In a nonpayment case, if a tenant (or someone on the tenant's behalf) offers all past-due rent plus reasonable late fees before an eviction is filed, and the landlord refuses, that offer is a defense to the eviction. After filing but before judgment, the tenant must also offer court costs. Placing the full amount, including late fees, court costs and escrow fees, in escrow with the Akron Municipal Court before trial also counts. This defense may be used only once per calendar year and does not limit evictions for reasons other than nonpayment. Late fees under a lease may not exceed the larger of $25 or 5% of the monthly rent. This summary was read from the scanned ordinance (introduced April 2, 2021) linked on the Civil Rights Commission page. Whether Ohio's 2022 amendment to R.C. 5321.19 affects these sections was not verified. |
| Local fair housing protected classes (incl. source of income) | Akron's non-discrimination ordinance (Title 3, Chapter 38) covers housing, including rentals and leases, and in 2021 was amended to add source-of-income protections. The Akron Civil Rights Commission investigates complaints. Complaint forms are on the Commission's page, or call 330-375-2311. Ord. 112-2021 is posted only as a scanned image, so its exact definitions and exemptions were not read. The 2024 U.S. Commission on Civil Rights Ohio Advisory Committee report also lists Akron among Ohio cities with source-of-income protection: https://www.usccr.gov/files/2024-10/2024-source-of-income-housing-discrimination-in-oh.pdf |
| Rental registration | Every rental unit not occupied by the titleholder must be registered with the City each year by January 31. The fee is $25 per unit, capped at $2,500, with a $25 late fee after January 31. Failure to register is a Housing Code violation. The City uses owner contact information to notify owners of violations. Housing Division: 330-375-2366 ext. 2694. The page does not cite the section number and does not describe routine rental inspections. |
| Habitability/code enforcement & complaint line | The Housing Compliance Division enforces the Environmental Health Housing Code. Tenants can report problems through 3-1-1 (330-375-2311), by calling 330-375-2366, or by emailing the fillable complaint form to HousingCodeComplaints@akronohio.gov. An inspector investigates and, if violations exist, issues an order to repair with a deadline. If the owner does not comply, legal proceedings and fines can follow. Owners can appeal orders to the Housing Appeals Board. |
| State preemption | Ohio bars cities from adopting or enforcing any ordinance that conflicts with the state landlord-tenant law or regulates the rights and obligations of parties to a rental agreement that it covers, including rent control or rent stabilization. Local building, housing, health and safety codes are not affected. |
Eviction cases in Akron are heard in: Akron Municipal Court
Right to a lawyer in eviction cases
Pilot program (since Sept. 15, 2025): Community Legal Aid represents eligible Akron tenants. Priority goes to households at or below 100% of the federal poverty level with children, then to people 60 or older with a disability. Official source
Local agencies
- Akron Department of Neighborhood Assistance, Housing Compliance Division — Housing code complaints, orders to repair and rental registration. 330-375-2366.
- Akron Civil Rights Commission — Investigates housing discrimination complaints, including source of income.
Frequently asked questions
What landlord-tenant rules does Akron add on top of Ohio law?
Tenant right to counsel (pilot): Akron funds a three-year Right to Counsel pilot, launched September 15, 2025, with an initial $250,000 a year. Community Legal Aid represents Akron tenants facing eviction, and United Way of Summit & Medina coordinates services and some rental assistance. Tenants generally need to apply at least 7 days before their eviction hearing. Priority goes first to households at or below 100% of the federal poverty level with children, then to people at that income level who are 60 or older and have a disability. Tenants who do not qualify may still get limited help and referrals. Information on requesting services comes with the court's eviction notice.; Pay-to-stay defense & late-fee cap: In a nonpayment case, if a tenant (or someone on the tenant's behalf) offers all past-due rent plus reasonable late fees before an eviction is filed, and the landlord refuses, that offer is a defense to the eviction. After filing but before judgment, the tenant must also offer court costs. Placing the full amount, including late fees, court costs and escrow fees, in escrow with the Akron Municipal Court before trial also counts. This defense may be used only once per calendar year and does not limit evictions for reasons other than nonpayment. Late fees under a lease may not exceed the larger of $25 or 5% of the monthly rent.; Local fair housing protected classes (incl. source of income): Akron's non-discrimination ordinance (Title 3, Chapter 38) covers housing, including rentals and leases, and in 2021 was amended to add source-of-income protections. The Akron Civil Rights Commission investigates complaints. Complaint forms are on the Commission's page, or call 330-375-2311.; Rental registration: Every rental unit not occupied by the titleholder must be registered with the City each year by January 31. The fee is $25 per unit, capped at $2,500, with a $25 late fee after January 31. Failure to register is a Housing Code violation. The City uses owner contact information to notify owners of violations. Housing Division: 330-375-2366 ext. 2694.
← All Ohio landlord-tenant rules
General legal information, not legal advice. Laws change and local rules can differ; check the linked official source or talk to a lawyer about your situation.