Reasons for Ohio COVID-19 Eviction
The Ohio eviction process allows landlords to legally evict a tenant for a number of reasons:
- Nonpayment of rent
- Expiration of the lease
- Tenant’s failure to comply with health and safety codes
- Violation of material terms of the lease
- Commission of a drug offense
- Denying the landlord access upon reasonable notice (at least 24-hours)
Depending on the reason for the eviction, the Ohio eviction notice may be 3-days or 30-days.
Ending month to month leases/rentals are much is a much simpler process. In most situations your landlord does not need to give you a reason (although acting on discriminatory or retaliatory motives is illegal). A landlord can simply give you a written notice to move, allowing you 30 days as required by Ohio law and specifying the date on which your tenancy will end.
A landlord may legally provide less notice, for example, if rent has not been paid, if the tenant has violated other terms of your rental agreement (for example, bringing in an unauthorized tenant), or if the tenant has violated basic responsibilities imposed by law (such as by dealing drugs on the rental property).
Can you file an eviction complaint during Covid-19?
Eviction cases can still be filed and move forward in Ohio. However, many courts in northeast Ohio have temporarily stopped allowing evictions to be filed or cancelled scheduled eviction hearings.
Federal law has set limitations on evictions. Owners of these properties cannot file eviction until after July 25, 2020. After July 25, 2020, these owners must serve a tenant with a notice to vacate the property thirty (30) days before an eviction can be filed. Then, the owner must still give the tenant a 3-day notice.
Governor Dwine made the recommendation that only evictions involving a physically abusive tenant or imminent danger to another person residing at the location should be scheduled for hearings during the pandemic. This is only a recommendation and it is left to the individual courts whether they are willing to set an eviction hearing during this time.
What properties are covered by the federal law delaying evictions?
Federal law prevents landlords at some properties from filing an eviction at this time. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) prevents a landlord from evicting a tenant from a property subsidized by the Federal government. This includes all residents in the following properties:
- public housing,
- buildings receiving Section 8 rental assistance vouchers or subsidies,
- buildings receiving USDA rental housing assistance,
- buildings that receive Low Income Housing Tax Credits.
- where the owner has a loan backed by the FHA, USDA, VA, or Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac.
CDC and Ohio Supreme Court Halt Evictions until December 31, 2020
On September 4, 2020, CDC signed an order prohibiting landlords, property owners, or other persons with a legal right to pursue eviction from taking any action to remove qualified tenants from their residence until after December 31, 2020. The Order applies only to residential property and does not cover commercial property.
The Order does not relieve the tenant of any obligation to pay rent, make a housing payment, or comply with any other obligation that the individual may have under a tenancy, lease, or similar contract. The Order also does not prohibit a landlord or property owner from the charging or collecting of fees, penalties, or interest as a result of the failure to pay rent or other housing payment on a timely basis, under the terms of any applicable contract. Evictions still may be filed for reasons other than non-payment of rent, including engaging in criminal activity on the property, threatening the health or safety of other residents, damaging the property, violating health and building codes, or violating any other lease requirement not related to paying rent.
There are legal steps that you can take now to STOP YOUR EVICTION. Contact us now to Stop YOUR EVICTION
