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New Philadelphia is the county seat of Tuscarawas County in east-central Ohio, with a population of roughly 17,000 residents. Like many smaller Ohio cities, a significant share of households rent, and tenants here rely primarily on Ohio's statewide Landlord and Tenant Act for their legal protections. The city has enacted no local tenant-protection ordinances beyond what state law provides.
Ohio's Landlord and Tenant Act, codified at Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321, is the foundation of tenant rights in New Philadelphia. It sets standards for habitability, security deposit handling, eviction procedures, anti-retaliation protections, and prohibitions on self-help eviction. Rent control is entirely prohibited by state law, meaning landlords may raise rent to any amount as long as they provide proper notice.
This guide summarizes the key protections available to New Philadelphia renters under Ohio law. It is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. If you face an eviction, lease dispute, or other housing crisis, contact a qualified attorney or legal aid organization in your area.
New Philadelphia has no rent control, and Ohio law makes it impossible for any local government to enact one. Ohio Rev. Code § 4781.031 expressly prohibits municipalities, counties, and townships from adopting or maintaining any ordinance, resolution, or rule that controls rents on private residential property. This statewide preemption means no Ohio city — regardless of housing market conditions — can cap how much a landlord charges or how much rents may increase.
In practice, this means your landlord in New Philadelphia may raise your rent by any dollar amount at the end of a lease term or, for a month-to-month tenancy, with at least 30 days' written notice as required by O.R.C. § 5321.17. There is no local rent stabilization board, no annual increase limit, and no requirement that a landlord justify a rent increase. Tenants whose rent becomes unaffordable must either negotiate with their landlord, seek other housing, or look to Ohio's other tenant-protection statutes for relief in situations involving retaliation or habitability failures.
Ohio's Landlord and Tenant Act (O.R.C. Chapter 5321) provides the core protections for New Philadelphia renters. The major provisions are summarized below.
Habitability (O.R.C. § 5321.04 & § 5321.07): Landlords must maintain rental units in a fit and habitable condition, keep common areas safe and sanitary, maintain all electrical, plumbing, heating, and ventilation systems in good working order, and supply running water and reasonable amounts of hot water and heat. If a landlord fails to make required repairs after receiving written notice, a tenant may pursue remedies under O.R.C. § 5321.07 — including depositing rent into an escrow account with the court, having repairs made and deducting the cost from rent, or terminating the lease — provided the tenant is current on rent and gave at least 30 days' written notice (or shorter notice for emergencies).
Security Deposit (O.R.C. § 5321.16): Ohio sets no maximum cap on security deposits. After a tenant vacates, the landlord has 30 days to return the deposit along with a written, itemized statement of any deductions. Failure to comply entitles the tenant to recover the wrongfully withheld amount plus damages equal to that same amount, along with reasonable attorney fees.
Notice to Terminate (O.R.C. § 5321.17): For month-to-month tenancies, either party must give at least 30 days' written notice before the end of a rental period to terminate the tenancy. Week-to-week tenancies require at least 7 days' written notice.
Anti-Retaliation (O.R.C. § 5321.02): A landlord may not increase rent, decrease services, bring or threaten an eviction action, or otherwise retaliate against a tenant who has complained to a government agency about code violations, joined a tenant organization, or exercised any legal right under Ohio law. Retaliation is presumed if adverse action occurs within 90 days of protected activity. A tenant subjected to retaliation may recover actual damages, plus attorney fees and court costs.
Lockout Prohibition (O.R.C. § 5321.15): Self-help eviction is illegal in Ohio. A landlord may not remove or exclude a tenant from a dwelling by means other than a court-ordered eviction — including changing locks, removing doors or windows, or willfully interrupting essential utility services. A tenant subjected to a self-help lockout or utility shutoff may recover actual damages, and for willful violations the landlord may be liable for up to 10 times the tenant's actual damages.
Ohio does not impose a statutory cap on how much a landlord may collect as a security deposit in New Philadelphia. A landlord may require any deposit amount stated in the written or oral lease agreement.
Return Deadline: Under O.R.C. § 5321.16, a landlord must return the full security deposit — or the balance remaining after lawful deductions — within 30 days after the tenant vacates the unit. The landlord must also provide a written, itemized statement listing each deduction and the reason for it. The statement and any remaining funds must be delivered together within that 30-day window.
Penalty for Noncompliance: If the landlord fails to return the deposit and itemized statement within 30 days, the tenant is entitled to recover: (1) the full amount of the deposit wrongfully withheld, plus (2) damages in an amount equal to the amount wrongfully withheld — effectively doubling the recovery — plus reasonable attorney fees (O.R.C. § 5321.16(B)). Courts have interpreted this to mean the landlord forfeits the right to retain any portion of the deposit if they fail to comply with the 30-day rule.
Practical Tips: Document the move-in and move-out condition of the unit with photographs and written notes. Provide your new forwarding address to the landlord in writing at or before move-out to start the 30-day clock clearly. Keep copies of all correspondence.
Ohio law establishes a mandatory court process for evictions; no landlord in New Philadelphia may remove a tenant without following these steps. The process is governed primarily by O.R.C. Chapter 5321 and the eviction procedures in O.R.C. § 1923.
Step 1 — Written Notice: Before filing in court, the landlord must give proper written notice. The type of notice depends on the reason for eviction:
Step 2 — Filing in Court: If the tenant does not comply with the notice, the landlord may file an eviction (forcible entry and detainer) complaint in the Tuscarawas County Municipal Court. The tenant will receive a summons with a hearing date, typically set within 7–30 days of filing.
Step 3 — Court Hearing: Both parties appear before a judge. The tenant has the right to raise defenses such as the landlord's failure to maintain habitability, retaliation (O.R.C. § 5321.02), or improper notice. If the judge rules in the landlord's favor, a writ of restitution is issued.
Step 4 — Writ of Restitution: A court officer (bailiff or sheriff) enforces the writ, which authorizes removal of the tenant and their belongings from the property. A landlord cannot physically remove a tenant without this writ.
Self-Help Eviction Is Illegal: Under O.R.C. § 5321.15, a landlord who changes locks, removes doors, shuts off utilities, or takes any other self-help measure to force a tenant out — without a court order — is subject to liability for actual damages and, for willful violations, up to 10 times actual damages. Tenants facing self-help eviction should document the situation and contact legal aid immediately.
Just Cause: Ohio law does not require a landlord to have just cause to end a tenancy in New Philadelphia. At the end of a fixed-term lease or with proper notice for a month-to-month tenancy, a landlord may terminate the tenancy for any lawful reason. The exception is retaliatory eviction, which is prohibited under O.R.C. § 5321.02.
This article is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The information here summarizes Ohio state law as of April 2026 and is intended to help New Philadelphia renters understand their general rights. Laws and local regulations may change, and individual circumstances vary. If you are facing an eviction, a security deposit dispute, or any other housing legal issue, you should consult a qualified attorney or contact a legal aid organization in your area. RentCheckMe is not a law firm and no attorney-client relationship is created by use of this site.
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