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Macedonia is a suburban city in Summit County, Ohio, located in the northeastern part of the state near Akron. Like all Ohio municipalities, Macedonia is governed exclusively by state landlord-tenant law — the Ohio Landlord and Tenant Act, codified at Ohio Rev. Code Chapter 5321 — with no additional local rent regulations or tenant ordinances in effect.
Renters in Macedonia most commonly seek information about security deposit returns, landlord repair obligations, and what protections exist when facing eviction. Ohio's statewide framework provides meaningful protections on all of these fronts, including strict deposit return deadlines, a landlord duty to maintain habitable conditions, and an outright prohibition on self-help evictions such as illegal lockouts or utility shutoffs.
This page is intended as an informational overview of the laws that apply to renters in Macedonia, Ohio. It is not legal advice. If you have a specific dispute with your landlord, consult a licensed Ohio attorney or contact a local legal aid organization for guidance tailored to your situation.
Macedonia has no rent control, and Ohio state law prohibits any municipality from enacting one. Ohio Rev. Code § 4781.031 expressly bars local governments from adopting or enforcing any ordinance, resolution, or regulation that controls or limits the amount of rent charged for the use of a residential premises. This is a blanket statewide preemption — no city, township, or county in Ohio can establish rent stabilization or rent control of any kind.
In practice, this means your landlord in Macedonia can raise your rent by any dollar amount at any time, as long as they provide proper advance written notice before the new rent takes effect. For month-to-month tenants, that notice period is at least 30 days under O.R.C. § 5321.17. If you are on a fixed-term lease, your landlord generally cannot raise rent until the lease expires unless the lease itself permits mid-term increases.
While renters have no protection against the size of a rent increase, they are protected against retaliatory rent increases. Under O.R.C. § 5321.02, a landlord may not raise rent in retaliation for a tenant reporting housing code violations or exercising other legal rights. That protection is discussed in detail in the State Protections section below.
Ohio's Landlord and Tenant Act (O.R.C. Chapter 5321) provides the foundation for all tenant rights in Macedonia. Below are the key protections and their statutory bases.
Habitability & Repairs (O.R.C. § 5321.02, § 5321.07): Landlords in Ohio are legally required to maintain rental units in a fit and habitable condition, keep common areas safe and sanitary, and ensure functioning plumbing, heating, electrical, and ventilation systems. If your landlord fails to make a necessary repair after you provide written notice, and the landlord has not begun remedying the condition within 30 days (or a shorter reasonable time in an emergency), you may pursue remedies under O.R.C. § 5321.07. These remedies include depositing rent with the court, terminating the lease, or having repairs made and deducting the cost from rent — but only after strict procedural steps are followed.
Security Deposits (O.R.C. § 5321.16): Ohio imposes no cap on the amount a landlord may collect as a security deposit. However, the landlord must return the deposit — along with a written, itemized statement of any deductions — within 30 days of the tenant vacating the unit. Failure to comply entitles the tenant to recover the wrongfully withheld portion plus damages equal to that same amount (a 2x recovery). See the Security Deposit section below for full details.
Notice to Terminate (O.R.C. § 5321.17): A landlord who wants to end a month-to-month tenancy must give the tenant at least 30 days' written notice before the termination date. Likewise, a tenant wishing to end a month-to-month tenancy must give the landlord at least 30 days' written notice. For week-to-week tenancies, the required notice period is 7 days.
Retaliation Protection (O.R.C. § 5321.02): A landlord may not retaliate against a tenant for reporting building code violations, joining a tenant union, complaining to a government agency, or exercising any legal right under the Landlord-Tenant Act. Prohibited retaliatory acts include increasing rent, reducing services, filing an eviction, or threatening any of these actions. If a landlord takes an adverse action within 90 days of a protected act, retaliation is presumed. A tenant who prevails on a retaliation claim may recover actual damages, including reasonable attorney fees.
Lockout & Utility Shutoff Prohibition (O.R.C. § 5321.15): Self-help eviction is illegal in Ohio. A landlord may not remove or exclude a tenant from the premises by changing locks, removing doors or windows, or interrupting utility service. A tenant subjected to an illegal lockout or utility shutoff may recover actual damages or a minimum statutory amount. For willful violations, a court may award up to 10 times the tenant's actual damages. Only a court order following formal eviction proceedings can lawfully remove a tenant.
Ohio's security deposit rules are governed by O.R.C. § 5321.16. There is no statutory cap on the amount a landlord in Macedonia may require as a security deposit — the parties may negotiate any amount. However, if a landlord holds a deposit exceeding one month's rent and the tenancy is for six months or longer, the landlord must pay the tenant 5% annual interest on the portion that exceeds one month's rent (O.R.C. § 5321.16(C)).
Return deadline: The landlord must return the deposit — or the balance remaining after lawful deductions — within 30 days after the tenant vacates the unit and delivers possession. The landlord must simultaneously provide a written, itemized statement explaining every deduction. Legitimate deductions are limited to unpaid rent and damages beyond normal wear and tear.
Penalty for non-compliance: If your landlord fails to return the deposit or provide the itemized statement within 30 days, you are entitled to recover the full amount wrongfully withheld plus damages equal to that same amount — effectively doubling the recovery. For example, if your landlord wrongfully keeps $800, you could be entitled to $1,600. Courts may also award reasonable attorney fees. To protect your rights, document the condition of the unit at move-out with photos and dated written communication, and provide your landlord with your forwarding address in writing.
Evictions in Macedonia follow Ohio's formal court process under O.R.C. Chapter 1923 (the Forcible Entry and Detainer statute) and O.R.C. Chapter 5321. A landlord cannot remove a tenant without going through this process — self-help eviction is prohibited by O.R.C. § 5321.15.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must serve the tenant with written notice. The type and duration of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in Court: If the tenant does not pay, cure, or vacate by the deadline, the landlord may file an eviction complaint with the Summit County Municipal Court or the appropriate local court. The court will schedule a hearing, typically within 10 to 30 days of filing. The tenant will be served with a summons.
Step 3 — Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge or magistrate. The tenant has the right to present defenses — including that the landlord accepted rent after serving notice, that the eviction is retaliatory under O.R.C. § 5321.02, or that the landlord failed to maintain habitable conditions. Legal representation is strongly advised.
Step 4 — Writ of Execution: If the court rules in the landlord's favor, a writ of restitution is issued. A sheriff or constable will then carry out the physical removal if the tenant has not left voluntarily. No landlord may physically remove a tenant without this court-ordered writ.
Just Cause: Ohio has no statewide just-cause eviction requirement, and Macedonia has no local ordinance requiring one. A landlord may decline to renew a lease or terminate a month-to-month tenancy for any lawful reason (or no stated reason at all), as long as proper notice is given and the action is not retaliatory or discriminatory.
Illegal Lockouts: Any landlord who locks out a tenant, removes their belongings, or shuts off utilities without a court order violates O.R.C. § 5321.15. Tenants subjected to illegal lockouts may seek emergency relief in court and may recover up to 10 times actual damages for willful violations.
The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Tenant rights laws in Ohio — including those that apply in Macedonia — may change, and the application of any law depends on the specific facts of your situation. You should not rely on this page as a substitute for advice from a licensed Ohio attorney. If you have a housing dispute or believe your rights have been violated, contact a qualified attorney or a legal aid organization in your area. Laws cited were accurate as of April 2026; always verify current statutes with an official source or legal professional.
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