Ohio Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws
Ohio rules on rent increases & late fees for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: Local rent control and rent stabilization are preempted statewide. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.19(A)
The rules in Ohio
| Rent control / increase limits | Local rent control and rent stabilization are preempted statewide. Amended by H.B. 430 (eff. Sept. 23, 2022) to expressly bar local rent control or rent stabilization. Exceptions: local housing/building/health/safety codes, rent for housing the locality owns or operates, and voluntary incentive programs (tax abatements, financing, grants). Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.19(A) |
|---|---|
| Late fees | No statutory cap Ch. 5321 sets no late-fee amount or grace period; a court may refuse to enforce an unconscionable rental-agreement clause under § 5321.14. |
Free calculators
- Late Fee Checker — Check a late fee against your state's cap and grace period.
- Rent Increase Calculator — In states with a statewide rent cap, see the most your rent can go up this year.
Related questions
- Can a landlord raise the rent in the middle of a lease?
- How much can a landlord charge for a late fee?
- How much notice does a landlord have to give before raising the rent?
- Can a landlord evict you for no reason?
Ohio vs. neighboring states
| State | Rent control / increase limits | Late fees |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio | Local rent control and rent stabilization are preempted statewide. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.19(A) | No statutory cap No statute; Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.14 (unconscionable clauses) |
| Indiana | Preempted: local units may not regulate rental rates for privately owned property, nor screening, security deposits, lease applications, lease terms, disclosures, parties' rights, or landlord fees, unless authorized by the General Assembly. Does not apply to property receiving government funds for reduced rents. IC 32-31-1-20 | No statutory cap or grace period. IC 32-31 (no late-fee provision); IC 32-31-1-20(c)(7) |
| Kentucky | Preempted: only the General Assembly may enact rent control on private property; local governments may not. No statewide cap. KRS 65.875 | No statutory cap or grace period. KRS Chapter 383 (no late-fee provision) |
| Michigan | Statewide preemption: local governments may not adopt, maintain, or enforce any ordinance or resolution that would have the effect of controlling rent on private residential property. No statewide rent cap. MCL 123.411 | No statutory cap None (common law) |
| Pennsylvania | No statewide rent control or rent-increase cap, and no statute that expressly bans local rent control. No statute authorizes it either, and home-rule municipalities may not set duties or requirements for businesses unless a statewide statute expressly allows it, so a local rent cap would face a serious legal challenge. 53 Pa.C.S. § 2962(c)(2), (e), (f) (Home Rule Charter and Optional Plans Law) | No statutory cap. None in statute |
| West Virginia | No state rent control law. No enacted statewide preemption of local rent control was found in the code. W. Va. Code § 37-6-9 (current text contains no rent-control provision) | No statutory cap W. Va. Code ch. 37, art. 6 |
City rules that may add to state law
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Compare rent increases & late fees in all 50 states and DC →
Ohio Rent Increase & Late Fee Laws FAQ
Is there rent control or a limit on rent increases in Ohio?
Local rent control and rent stabilization are preempted statewide. (Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.19(A))
Is there a limit on late fees in Ohio?
No statutory cap (No statute; Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.14 (unconscionable clauses))
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.