Ohio Notice to Vacate: Notice Periods and Rules
In Ohio, tenants give at least 30 days written notice to end a month-to-month tenancy, and landlords give at least 30 days. For unpaid rent, the notice period is 3 days. The details, exceptions and statute citations are below.
Ohio notice periods at a glance
| Tenant ending a month-to-month tenancy | 30 days Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17(B) |
|---|---|
| Landlord ending a month-to-month tenancy | 30 days Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17(B) |
| Notice for unpaid rent | 3 days Ohio Rev. Code § 1923.04 |
| End of a fixed-term lease | Ohio law does not require notice to end a fixed-term lease on its end date unless the lease requires it; a landlord evicting a holdover tenant must still serve the 3-day notice to leave before filing. |
| How notice can be delivered | The 3-day notice must be delivered by certified mail (return receipt requested), handed to the tenant, or left at the tenant's usual residence or at the premises (§ 1923.04(A)). § 5321.17 does not specify a method for the 30-day notice; written notice with proof of delivery is standard. |
The 30-day notice must end on a rent due date, not just any date 30 days out. The 3-day notice is a notice to leave, not to pay. It must include the statutory warning: 'You are being asked to leave the premises. If you do not leave, an eviction action may be initiated against you...'. Week-to-week tenancies need 7 days (§ 5321.17(A)).
What a Ohio notice to vacate should include
- The names of every tenant on the lease and the full address, including unit number
- The date you are giving the notice and the date the tenancy ends
- A move-out date that gives at least the minimum notice above, counted from the day the notice is delivered
- For unpaid rent: the exact amount owed and how to pay it
- Your name, signature and contact details
- A record of how and when you delivered it (keep a copy)
Many month-to-month notices must also end on the last day of a rental period, so if rent is due on the 1st, the safest move-out date is the end of a month. Giving more notice than the minimum is fine; giving less usually makes the notice invalid.
Ohio notice to vacate FAQ
How much notice does a tenant have to give in Ohio?
For a month-to-month tenancy, at least 30 days in writing (Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17(B)). If you have a fixed-term lease, check the lease: it may require notice before the end date or renew automatically.
How much notice does a landlord have to give in Ohio?
To end a month-to-month tenancy without a specific reason, at least 30 days (Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.17(B)).
What is the notice period for unpaid rent in Ohio?
The tenant gets 3 days to pay or move out (Ohio Rev. Code § 1923.04). If the tenant does neither, the landlord can file an eviction case; only a court can order the tenant out.
How do you deliver a notice to vacate in Ohio?
The 3-day notice must be delivered by certified mail (return receipt requested), handed to the tenant, or left at the tenant's usual residence or at the premises (§ 1923.04(A)). § 5321.17 does not specify a method for the 30-day notice; written notice with proof of delivery is standard.
Do I need to give notice at the end of a fixed-term lease in Ohio?
Ohio law does not require notice to end a fixed-term lease on its end date unless the lease requires it; a landlord evicting a holdover tenant must still serve the 3-day notice to leave before filing.
Create your Ohio notice
The form fills in the Ohio notice period, dates and delivery details and gives you a print-ready PDF. You see the notice before you pay; plans start at $29.
Start the formSources
Checked October 2026. Laws change, and cities can add their own rules. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Guides
- 30-Day Notice to Vacate: Sample Letter and Rules
- 30-Day Notice to Landlord: Intent to Vacate Letter
- Lease Termination Letter: End-of-Term and Early Termination
- Notice to Vacate Template and Sample Letter
- Notice to Pay Rent or Quit
- 60-Day Notice to Vacate
- Lease Non-Renewal Letter