Ohio Security Deposit Law
Ohio rules on security deposits for renters and landlords, with the statute or official page behind each answer. Last verified: 2026-10-22.
Short answer: No statutory cap Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16
The rules in Ohio
| Security deposit limit | No statutory cap § 5321.16 regulates deposits but sets no maximum amount. Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16 |
|---|---|
| Deposit return deadline | Within 30 days after the rental agreement ends and possession is delivered, the landlord must send the itemized written notice of deductions together with the amount due. Tenant must give the landlord a forwarding address in writing; otherwise the tenant loses the right to double damages and attorney's fees. Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B) |
| Itemized deductions | Deductions (unpaid rent and damages from the tenant's noncompliance with § 5321.05 or the rental agreement) must be itemized and identified in a written notice delivered within 30 days. Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B) |
| Interest on deposits | Required on the portion of the deposit exceeding the greater of $50 or one month's rent, at 5% per year, if the tenant stays 6 months or more; computed and paid annually. Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(A) |
| Penalty for withholding | Tenant may recover the money wrongfully withheld plus damages equal to the amount wrongfully withheld (effectively double) and reasonable attorney's fees. Available only if the tenant provided a written forwarding address. Source: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(C) |
Free calculators
- Security Deposit Deadline Calculator — See when your landlord must return your deposit, and the penalty your state sets if they don't.
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Related questions
- How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit?
- How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit?
- What can a landlord charge for at move-out (cleaning, painting, carpet)?
Ohio vs. neighboring states
| State | Security deposit limit | Deposit return deadline | Itemized deductions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | No statutory cap Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16 | Within 30 days after the rental agreement ends and possession is delivered, the landlord must send the itemized written notice of deductions together with the amount due. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B) | Deductions (unpaid rent and damages from the tenant's noncompliance with § 5321.05 or the rental agreement) must be itemized and identified in a written notice delivered within 30 days. Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B) |
| Indiana | No statutory cap on security deposits. IC 32-31-3 | Within 45 days after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession, the landlord must return the deposit minus itemized deductions. The landlord is not liable until the tenant provides a written forwarding mailing address. IC 32-31-3-12, 32-31-3-14 | Within 45 days after termination of occupancy, landlord must mail an itemized list of damages with the estimated cost of repair for each item, plus a check or money order for the balance. Deposits may be used only for actual damage beyond ordinary wear and tear, unpaid rent (including rent due for early termination), the last rent period if agreed in writing, and unpaid utility/sewer charges owed by the tenant. IC 32-31-3-13, 32-31-3-14 |
| Kentucky | No statutory cap (statewide or under URLTA). KRS 383.580 | Non-URLTA areas: no statute. URLTA areas: no fixed refund deadline; if the tenant leaves owing no rent with a refund due, the landlord must send notice of the refund amount to the tenant's last known address and may keep the deposit if the tenant does not respond within 60 days. If the tenant leaves without paying the last month's rent and does not demand the deposit, the landlord may apply it after 30 days. KRS 383.580(6)-(7) | URLTA areas: before taking a deposit, the landlord must give a signed move-in list of existing damage with estimated repair costs; at move-out the landlord must inspect and compile a signed list of damages with estimated costs, which the tenant may inspect and dispute in writing. Deposits must be kept in a separate account at a regulated institution and the tenant told the bank and account number. Non-URLTA areas: no statute. KRS 383.580(1)-(3), (5) |
| Michigan | 1.5 months' rent MCL 554.602 | 30 days after the tenant's occupancy ends: landlord must mail an itemized notice of damages with the balance, or return the full deposit. If the landlord wants to keep any disputed amount it must sue within 45 days after termination of occupancy. MCL 554.609; MCL 554.610; MCL 554.613 | Itemized notice of damages, mailed within 30 days after occupancy ends, listing each claimed damage, the estimated cost of repair for each item, and the amounts and bases for the charges, plus payment of any balance. Must include a bold notice (12-point boldface, at least 4 points larger than body text) that the tenant must respond by mail within 7 days or forfeit the amount claimed. MCL 554.609; MCL 554.612; MCL 554.608 |
| Pennsylvania | First year of the lease: no more than 2 months' rent. Second and later years (or any renewal): no more than 1 month's rent. After 5+ years of tenancy, a rent increase cannot require a higher deposit. Landlord and Tenant Act § 511.1 (68 P.S. § 250.511a) | 30 days after the lease ends or the tenant surrenders the premises (whichever comes first). Act § 512(a) (68 P.S. § 250.512(a)) | Written list of damages for which the tenant is claimed liable, delivered within 30 days together with payment of the balance. If no list within 30 days, the landlord forfeits the right to withhold any part of the deposit or to sue for damages to the premises. Act § 512(a)-(b) (68 P.S. § 250.512) |
| West Virginia | No statutory cap on the amount of a security deposit. W. Va. Code §§ 37-6A-1, 37-6A-2 | Within the 'notice period': 60 days after the tenancy ends, or 45 days after a new tenant occupies the unit, whichever is shorter. W. Va. Code § 37-6A-2(a); § 37-6A-1 (definition of 'notice period') | Landlord must give the tenant a written itemization of any damages or charges deducted from the deposit. Landlord must keep itemized deduction records for 1 year after the tenancy ends and let the tenant inspect or copy them within 72 hours of a written request. W. Va. Code §§ 37-6A-2(a), 37-6A-3 |
City rules that may add to state law
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Ohio Security Deposit Law FAQ
How much can a landlord charge for a security deposit in Ohio?
No statutory cap (Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16)
How long does a landlord have to return a security deposit in Ohio?
Within 30 days after the rental agreement ends and possession is delivered, the landlord must send the itemized written notice of deductions together with the amount due. (Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B))
Does a landlord in Ohio have to give an itemized list of deposit deductions?
Deductions (unpaid rent and damages from the tenant's noncompliance with § 5321.05 or the rental agreement) must be itemized and identified in a written notice delivered within 30 days. (Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(B))
Does a landlord have to pay interest on a security deposit in Ohio?
Required on the portion of the deposit exceeding the greater of $50 or one month's rent, at 5% per year, if the tenant stays 6 months or more; computed and paid annually. (Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(A))
What happens if a landlord in Ohio wrongfully keeps a security deposit?
Tenant may recover the money wrongfully withheld plus damages equal to the amount wrongfully withheld (effectively double) and reasonable attorney's fees. (Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16(C))
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.