Know Your Rental Rights!
Rent Increases and Late Charges

There is no government control over rents in Ohio, except in subsidized housing programs. In the case of a month-to-month rental agreement, the landlord must give a full 30 days notice before increasing rent. In the case of a written lease, the landlord may not increase rent during the term of the lease. The Ohio Landlord Tenant law does not specifically address the issue of late charges.

Late charges may be part of a rental agreement, but they may not be "unconscionable" (unfair). Recent court decisions suggest that late fees should be reasonably related to the actual damages that a landlord suffers because of late payment of rent.