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Ohio requires a written 3-day notice to pay rent or vacate before a landlord can file a forcible entry and detainer (eviction) action for non-payment. The notice is governed by Ohio Revised Code § 1923.04 and must be served correctly — improperly served notices are a common reason Ohio evictions are dismissed at the initial hearing.
Under ORC § 1923.04, a valid Ohio 3-day notice must state:
Ohio counts calendar days, but the day of service is not counted as Day 1. If you serve the notice on Monday, Day 1 is Tuesday, Day 2 is Wednesday, Day 3 is Thursday.
If Day 3 falls on a Sunday or legal holiday, the deadline extends to the next business day.
Ohio law requires the 3-day notice to be served by one of these methods:
If served by certified mail, allow additional time for delivery. The 3-day period begins when the tenant receives or is deemed to have received the notice.
Most Ohio landlords use personal delivery or door posting for speed. Document your service method carefully — Ohio courts have dismissed evictions where service was not properly documented.
If the tenant fails to pay or vacate within 3 days, file a Forcible Entry and Detainer complaint in the Municipal Court or County Court for the property's location. Attach your 3-day notice and proof of service to the complaint.
Ohio does not expressly prohibit including late fees in the notice amount. However, best practice is to demand only unpaid rent to keep the figure precise and uncontestable.
If your lease specifies a longer notice period, you are bound by it. Serving a 3-day notice when your lease requires 7 days is defective.
No. Ohio has no statewide rent control.
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Not legal advice.