Last updated: April 2026
Akron renters are protected by Ohio's Landlord and Tenant Act, which sets rules on habitability, security deposits, and eviction — but there is no rent control anywhere in Ohio. Here is what you need to know.
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Akron is Ohio's fifth-largest city and the seat of Summit County, with a population of roughly 185,000. A significant share of Akron residents rent their homes, making an understanding of Ohio landlord-tenant law essential for navigating the local housing market. The most common concerns Akron renters search for include rent increase limits, security deposit return rules, and the eviction process.
All tenant-landlord relationships in Akron are governed primarily by the Ohio Landlord and Tenant Act, codified at Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321. Ohio law provides meaningful protections around habitability, security deposits, retaliation, and self-help eviction — but it does not include rent control, and Akron has enacted no additional local tenant protections beyond what state law requires.
This article is intended as general educational information about the laws that apply to Akron renters. It is not legal advice. If you have a specific legal problem, consult a licensed Ohio attorney or contact a local legal aid organization.
There is no rent control in Akron, and Ohio state law prohibits any city or county from enacting it. Ohio Rev. Code § 4781.031 expressly bars local governments from adopting ordinances that regulate or control rents charged for private residential property. This preemption is statewide and absolute — no Ohio municipality may pass a rent stabilization or rent control ordinance of any kind.
In practice, this means an Akron landlord may raise your rent by any dollar amount at any time, provided they give you the legally required advance notice before the increase takes effect. For a month-to-month tenant, that means at least 30 days' written notice under O.R.C. § 5321.17. Fixed-term lease tenants are protected from increases until their lease expires, unless the lease itself permits mid-term adjustments. After the lease ends, the landlord may set any new rent amount as a condition of renewal.
Renters facing steep rent increases have no local or state agency to appeal to for rent relief. If an increase feels retaliatory — for example, shortly after you complained about a code violation — that is a separate legal issue addressed by Ohio's anti-retaliation statute, O.R.C. § 5321.02, discussed below.
Ohio's Landlord and Tenant Act (O.R.C. Chapter 5321) establishes a floor of protections that apply to every residential rental in Akron.
Habitability & Repairs (O.R.C. § 5321.04 / § 5321.07): Landlords must maintain rental units in a fit and habitable condition, comply with applicable building and housing codes, keep common areas safe, and ensure that heating, plumbing, and electrical systems are functional. If a repair is needed, a tenant must give the landlord written notice of the problem. The landlord then has 30 days to make the repair, or a reasonable time if the situation is an emergency. If the landlord fails to act, the tenant may pursue remedies including depositing rent with the court clerk (escrow), hiring a contractor and deducting the cost from rent, terminating the lease, or seeking damages — all under O.R.C. § 5321.07. Tenants must be current on rent and have not caused the condition themselves to use these remedies.
Security Deposit Rules (O.R.C. § 5321.16): Ohio imposes no cap on the amount a landlord may charge for a security deposit. The landlord must return the deposit — or any remaining balance — within 30 days after the tenant vacates and returns possession of the unit. The landlord must include a written, itemized statement of any deductions. Failure to comply can result in the landlord forfeiting the right to withhold any portion and being liable for the amount wrongfully withheld plus damages equal to that same amount.
Notice to Terminate (O.R.C. § 5321.17): Either party wishing to terminate a month-to-month tenancy must give the other party at least 30 days' written notice before the termination date. Week-to-week tenancies require at least 7 days' notice. For a fixed-term lease, no notice is required to terminate at the natural end of the lease term unless the lease says otherwise.
Anti-Retaliation Protection (O.R.C. § 5321.02): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for complaining to a government authority about housing code violations, organizing with other tenants, or exercising any right under Ohio law. Prohibited retaliation includes increasing rent, decreasing services, or filing an eviction within 90 days of the tenant's protected activity. A court may presume retaliation if adverse action occurs within that 90-day window. Tenants may recover actual damages, plus attorney's fees, if retaliation is proven.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (O.R.C. § 5321.15): Self-help eviction is illegal in Ohio. A landlord may not remove a tenant's belongings, change the locks, remove doors or windows, or interrupt utilities such as electricity, heat, or water in order to force a tenant out. A landlord who does so is liable for actual damages. If the violation is willful, the tenant may recover up to twice the actual damages under O.R.C. § 5321.15(B).
Ohio law governing security deposits is found at O.R.C. § 5321.16. Key rules for Akron renters include:
No statutory cap: Ohio does not limit how much a landlord may charge as a security deposit. A landlord in Akron may require any amount. However, if a security deposit exceeds one month's rent and the tenancy is longer than six months, the tenant is entitled to 5% annual interest on the amount above one month's rent (O.R.C. § 5321.16(A)).
30-day return deadline: After a tenant moves out and surrenders possession of the unit, the landlord has exactly 30 days to return the deposit (or remaining balance) along with a written, itemized list of any deductions and their costs.
Penalty for wrongful withholding: If the landlord fails to return the deposit within 30 days, fails to provide an itemized statement, or wrongfully withholds any portion of the deposit, the tenant may sue to recover the full deposit amount plus damages equal to the amount wrongfully withheld. In other words, a landlord who improperly keeps $500 may owe the tenant $1,000 in total. The landlord also loses the right to retain any portion of the deposit.
Practical tips: Document the unit's condition thoroughly at move-in and move-out with dated photographs. Provide a forwarding address to your landlord in writing so the deadline clock is clear. Keep a copy of all written communications regarding the deposit.
Eviction in Akron follows Ohio's statutory process set out in O.R.C. Chapter 1923 (Forcible Entry and Detainer) and O.R.C. Chapter 5321. A landlord must follow every step; shortcuts are illegal.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must deliver a written notice to the tenant. The required notice period depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Eviction Filing in Akron Municipal Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file a forcible entry and detainer (FED) complaint in Akron Municipal Court, located at 217 S. High St., Akron, OH 44308. The tenant will be served with a summons and a hearing will be scheduled, typically within 10–30 days of filing.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties may appear and present evidence. If the court rules in the landlord's favor, it issues a judgment for possession. The tenant typically has a brief period — sometimes just a few days — before a writ of execution (writ of restitution) may be issued to the Summit County Sheriff to remove the tenant.
Step 4 — Writ of Restitution: Only the Summit County Sheriff may physically remove a tenant pursuant to a court-issued writ. No other person or method of removal is lawful.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: At no point in this process may a landlord change the locks, remove belongings, shut off utilities, or otherwise attempt to force the tenant out without a court order. Doing so violates O.R.C. § 5321.15 and exposes the landlord to liability for actual damages and, for willful violations, up to twice actual damages.
No Just-Cause Requirement: Ohio and Akron do not require a landlord to show good cause to terminate a tenancy. A landlord may decline to renew a lease at expiration for any lawful reason, provided proper notice is given.
No. Akron does not have rent control, and Ohio state law prohibits any city or county from enacting rent control ordinances under Ohio Rev. Code § 4781.031. This means landlords in Akron may charge and increase rent by any amount, limited only by the notice requirements set out in O.R.C. § 5321.17.
There is no limit on how much a landlord can raise rent in Akron. Because Ohio prohibits rent control statewide (O.R.C. § 4781.031), your landlord may raise the rent by any amount. For month-to-month tenants, the landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice before the increase takes effect (O.R.C. § 5321.17). If you are in a fixed-term lease, your rent cannot be increased until the lease expires unless the lease itself allows for mid-term adjustments.
Your landlord must return your security deposit — or any remaining balance after deductions — within 30 days after you move out and return possession of the unit, along with a written itemized statement of any deductions (O.R.C. § 5321.16). If the landlord fails to meet this deadline or wrongfully withholds any portion, you may be entitled to recover the full deposit plus damages equal to the amount wrongfully withheld.
The required notice depends on the reason for eviction. For non-payment of rent, the landlord must give a 3-day written notice to pay or vacate under O.R.C. § 1923.02. To terminate a month-to-month tenancy for any other lawful reason, the landlord must give at least 30 days' written notice (O.R.C. § 5321.17). After the notice period expires without compliance, the landlord must file an eviction lawsuit in Akron Municipal Court — they cannot remove you without a court order.
No. Self-help eviction is illegal in Ohio. A landlord who changes your locks, removes your belongings, or intentionally shuts off heat, electricity, water, or other utilities to force you out violates O.R.C. § 5321.15. You may be entitled to recover your actual damages, and if the landlord's conduct is willful, a court may award up to twice the actual damages. Contact law enforcement or legal aid immediately if this happens.
Under O.R.C. § 5321.07, if your landlord fails to make required repairs after you give written notice, you have several legal remedies — including depositing rent with the Akron Municipal Court clerk (rent escrow), arranging the repair yourself and deducting the cost from rent, or terminating the lease. To use these remedies, you must be current on rent and must not have caused the condition. You can also report housing code violations to the City of Akron's Building Division, which may trigger an inspection and order the landlord to comply.
The information on this page is provided for general educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws can change, and local court interpretations may affect outcomes in specific cases. If you have a landlord-tenant dispute or legal question, you should consult a licensed Ohio attorney or contact a qualified legal aid organization in your area. RentCheckMe makes no guarantees about the accuracy or completeness of this information and is not responsible for actions taken in reliance on it. Always verify current statutes and local ordinances through an attorney or official government sources before making legal decisions.
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