Illegal Eviction Ohio Laws

Summary

Linda, a tenant in Ohio, was evicted from her apartment without proper notice. She received a notice to leave the premises and a typed letter from her landlord, but no official eviction notice from the court. The landlords son harassed and threatened her, and despite multiple reports to the police, no action was taken. The landlord changed the locks and put Lindas belongings on the porch, threatening to haul them away. Linda is considering filing for a Temporary Protection Order against the landlords son. She has been struggling to retrieve her belongings due to her heart condition.

Full Conversation

I'm currently in the process of moving to another apartment.
Are you facing any specific legal issues related to your move, such as breaking a lease, security deposit disputes, or issues with your new lease agreement?
There's a month to month lease. And I was told that I have to be served by the sheriff.
What state are you currently residing in? This will help me provide accurate information about eviction laws in your area.
Ohio
In Ohio, landlords must provide a *-day notice to terminate a month-to-month lease. If you're being evicted, a sheriff's involvement is usually the final step.
They put my stuff on the front porch and changed the locks
Did you receive a *-day notice prior to this action? In Ohio, it's illegal for landlords to perform "self-help" evictions.
No just a paper printed off the computer
Did the paper you received include a court order for eviction? In Ohio, landlords cannot evict without a court order.
No
In Ohio, it's illegal for landlords to evict tenants without a court order. You may have a case for illegal eviction. Have you considered seeking legal representation?
Yes I am very ill and I have to do this by myself.
What is your current location? I can provide you with contact details of the nearest court or legal aid services.
East Liverpool Ohio There is no eviction process listed with courts
What was the reason given for your eviction? In Ohio, landlords must have a legal reason to evict tenants.
Because I didn't pay the rent for this month because I had to pay where I was moving to
What date did you receive the eviction notice? In Ohio, landlords must provide at least 3 days' notice before filing an eviction lawsuit for nonpayment of rent.
I only have a printed paper that the landlord printed off the computer.
What is the date on the printed paper that your landlord gave you?
It was taped to my front door. Never handed to me
What was the date mentioned on the paper that was taped to your door?
September *
What is the date you stopped living in the apartment?
September 1st is when I got my new apartment keys
Did you inform your previous landlord about your move before September 1st?
No
Did you pay rent for the month of September at your previous apartment?
I paid the rent for the new place
Did you pay any rent for the month of September at your old apartment?
No
Did you have a written agreement with your previous landlord about the terms of your month-to-month lease?
Yes
What does your lease agreement say about the notice period for termination?
That's a month to month lease
What does your lease agreement say about the procedure for termination and eviction?
I don't have it in front of me at the moment. But I know that I have some time and they put my stuff on the front porch and changed the locks
What date was your stuff put on the porch and the locks changed? In Ohio, landlords must provide a *-day notice to terminate a month-to-month lease.
September * *
What does your lease agreement say about the landlord's right to change locks and remove your belongings?
I don't believe what
you're going through is legal. Did you take any pictures or have any evidence of your belongings being put out and the locks being changed?
Yes
What steps have you taken so far to address this issue?
I have made several calls to make a report that the owner son keeps on coming to the old apartment and threatening me
What kind of threats are you receiving from the owner's son? It's important to document these incidents for potential harassment or intimidation charges.
Well he try to bust in the apartment while I was the only one in the whole apartment building.
What actions did you take when the owner's son tried to break into the apartment?
Can x
Can you please clarify what you mean by "Can x"?
I called the police department and they said that they would make a report. But they would not come to the apartment to discuss the situation.
What was the reason given by the police for not coming to the apartment to discuss the situation?
I'm told that they would make a report, but I have called them *-* times to make a report. And they said that I had been served a eviction notice. But I only have paperwork printed off the computer
What is the name of the police department you contacted?
East Liverpool City
What is the exact content of the paper printed off the computer that you received?
notice to leave premise and a typed letter off the computer. I can send you pictures of the both of them
What does the typed letter state exactly?
That because I didn't tell them I was moving. Only because of her son's harassing me she gave me a paper dated September 15th
What actions did the landlord's son take that you consider harassment?
Coming over to the apartment and was very ignorant and threatening us.
What specific threats did the landlord's son make towards you?
That I didn't tell his mom that I was moving. And this is why I didn't tell them
What actions have you taken to protect yourself from the landlord's son's threats and harassment?
I've made *-* reports to the police department. No one would come to the apartment just over the phone. And they said that I was served a eviction notice. But the courts said that no eviction notice was issued????? I'm totally confused.
What is the name of the court that confirmed no eviction notice was issued?
Clerk is court in Lisbon, Ohio
What is the contact information of the landlord who evicted you?
Joan Stowers
What is the exact address of the apartment from where you were evicted?
* *-* 336West 7th St Apt * East Liverpool Ohio
What is the exact date you received the notice to leave the premises?

In Ohio, landlords must provide a *-day notice for nonpayment of rent before filing an eviction lawsuit. If the notice is not properly served or the time frame is not followed, it may be considered an illegal eviction.
September *
What is the exact content of the notice to leave the premises that you received on September *?
Can I send a picture of the notice
Sure, you can send a picture of the notice. It will help in understanding your situation better.
Hello there I live in Ohio.
Hello! Can you please clarify your current legal issue so I can assist you better?
I moving out of the apartment that I was living in and I was only given paperwork printed off the computer and I have not received anything from the court
What kind of paperwork did you receive and why were you expecting something from the court?
I was given a 3dAy that was not signed by ànyone but her son.
What is the reason stated on the *-day notice? In California, a *-day notice can be given for various reasons like non-payment of rent or violation of lease terms.
I don't live in California. I live in Ohio
What is the reason stated on the *-day notice you received in Ohio?
Because I was moving and I have been harassed since they were aware of me trying to get my stuff out
What kind of harassment have you been experiencing? In Ohio, harassment can be considered a form of stalking, which is a criminal offense.
The landlord son threatened us and he tried to get into the apartment the other night but he didn't get the door open by trying to bust in and I was alone
Did you report this incident to the police? In Ohio, it's illegal to threaten or intimidate someone, and forced entry can be considered a criminal act.
Yes but they said that it is a civil matter
What was the police's explanation for considering this a civil matter? In Ohio, threats and attempted forced entry can be grounds for a restraining order.
Because the landlord is well known and they don't want to deal with it.The police department said that they had a eviction notice and the court house said that I have not been given a 30 day eviction notice
What is the date on the eviction notice provided by the police department?
They have not showed me. All I have is a piece of , paper notice to leave premise on September * and a printed paper that says because I didn't tell them that I was moving they changed the locks and put some of my belongings out on the front porch and then said that they were hauling it away today
Did you inform your landlord in writing about your intention to move out? In Ohio, tenants on a month-to-month lease must give at least 30 days' notice.
No because of her son's retaliation and that is what I am going through now
What specific retaliatory actions did the landlord's son take after you informed them about your intention to move out?
Because I didn't tell them that I was moving right away
What actions did the landlord's son take when he found out you were moving?
He has been there every day threatening because nobody is going to f. Over his mom and then the night that he slammed the paperwork printed off the computer on my door after he was trying to force himself into breaking down the door while I was in the apartment building alone
What specific threats did the landlord's son make? In Ohio, making threats can be considered harassment, which is a criminal offense.
That I didn't tell them that I was moving at first. Because my neighbor was being evicted and he was very much intoxicated and she went to court and she is to be out on the 29th.
What actions have you taken since the threats were made?
He is just trying me because he can
What specific actions have you taken to protect yourself from the landlord's son's threats and harassment?
I've made *-* calls reports but they won't come to the apartment
What was the response from the police when you reported the harassment?
They would make a report but it is a civil matter
What steps have you taken to address this civil matter? In Ohio, you can apply for a Civil Protection Order against the landlord's son.
I have to go to Lisbon Ohio to file and I have to find someone to give me money for gas
What specific legal action are you planning to file in Lisbon, Ohio?
A tpo
What incidents led you to decide to file for a Temporary Protection Order (TPO)?

General Information:
- In Ohio, a TPO can be issued in cases of domestic violence, menacing, or stalking.
- Lisbon Municipal Court: *-*-*, * N Market St, Lisbon, OH *.
But if the police department doesn't want to advise them
What specific advice were you expecting from the police department?

General Information:
- Police departments typically provide advice on criminal matters, not civil ones like landlord-tenant disputes.
Because of the threat
What was the nature of the threat you received?
Because I didn't tell him that I was moving right away. He started ranting and raving and then put the note on my door after trying to come through the door
What was written on the note that was put on your door?

General Information:
- In Ohio, landlords must provide a written notice before eviction.
- Threats and harassment can be grounds for a restraining order.
First one is a notice to leave and the 2nd one was the lock being changed
What was the date on the notice to leave and when were the locks changed?
September * with stating that they were going to take action on the 14th. Then on the Said that it that they were changing the locks and put my stuff on the front porch and stated that they were going to haul it away
Did you manage to retrieve your belongings before they were hauled away?

General Information:
- In Ohio, landlords cannot dispose of a tenant's belongings without a court order.
I slept in my car all night and I took a load today but I heard that if I didn't get it they were going to throw into the garbage.
Did you manage to retrieve all your belongings or are there still items left at the property?
There are still there. I have heart AFib conditions and I can only take what I can get in the car
What specific items of yours are still at the property?
Everything from my clothes that I have been to get together. I have been making a lot of trips
What steps have you taken to retrieve the remaining items from the property?

General Information:
- In Ohio, landlords must provide reasonable time for tenants to retrieve their belongings after eviction.