Eviction notice rules in Ohio
Nonpayment notice
3-day written notice to leave the premises before filing (ORC § 1923.04). It is a notice to LEAVE, not a pay-or-quit — paying within 3 days typically moots the action in practice, but no express statutory pay-and-stay right. The notice must contain the exact statutory language 'You are being asked to leave the premises...' printed or written in a conspicuous manner.
Lease-violation notice
Curable violations of tenant health/safety duties (ORC § 5321.05): 30-day written notice to remedy under § 5321.11; if not cured, landlord then serves the 3-day notice under § 1923.04.
Unconditional quit (no second chance)
Illegal drug activity or other serious criminal conduct (§ 5321.05(A)(9) / § 1923.02(A)(6)(a)(i)) → 3-day termination notice with no cure (ORC § 5321.17(C)), whether or not anyone was charged or convicted.
No-cause / end-of-tenancy notice
Week-to-week: at least 7 days before the periodic rental date. Month-to-month: at least 30 days before the periodic rental date (§ 5321.17(A)-(B)).
How the notice must be served
Certified mail (return receipt requested), personal hand delivery to the tenant, or leaving the notice at the tenant's usual place of abode or at the premises (§ 1923.04(A)). Keep dated proof of service — improper service gets the case dismissed.
Your right to fix it (cure)
Curable lease/health-safety violations: 30 days to remedy (§ 5321.11). Nonpayment: no express statutory cure, but full payment within the 3-day window normally prevents the eviction. Drug/criminal conduct: no cure.
How days are counted
Unverified — needs attorney review (some secondary sources say many Ohio courts treat the 3 days as 3 business days; no statute confirmed in this pass).
After the notice expires
Landlord must file an eviction action under ORC Chapter 1923 in municipal or county court; tenant need not leave until a court orders eviction and the set-out is scheduled. Self-help is illegal.
Court timeline
Hearing typically 3-6 weeks after filing (varies by court); defective notices or improper termination can force a restart costing 1-2 months.
Retaliation & defenses
Retaliatory action barred: no rent increase, service decrease, or eviction/threatened eviction for complaining to a government agency, complaining about § 5321.04 violations, or organizing with other tenants (ORC § 5321.02) — usable as a defense to possession, plus actual damages and attorney fees.
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