Landlords and tenants have mutual responsibilities when it comes to caring for the rental property. A landlord will be obligated to comply with keeping a rental property in a “safe and habitable condition” but will also have some specific obligations depending on the laws in that state. The tenant will similarly have some basic obligations that to most observers are common sense or implied, but we will outline them here.

Landlord's Responsibilities

  1. comply with the requirements of all applicable building, housing, health, and safety codes materially affecting health and safety;
  2. make all repairs and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition;
  3. keep all common areas of the premises in a safe and sanitary condition;
  4. maintain all electrical, plumbing, sanitary, heating, ventilating, and air conditioning fixtures and appliances, and elevators, if applicable;
  5. for properties with four or more dwelling units in the same structure, provide and maintain appropriate receptacles for the removal of ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other waste; arrange for their removal;
  6. supply running water, reasonable amounts of hot water, and reasonable heat at all times;
  7. not abuse landlord’s right of access;
  8. except in the case of emergency or if it is impracticable to do so, provide reasonable notice of intent to enter and enter only at reasonable times.
  9. promptly commence an action under R.C. 1923 to remove tenants who have violated the controlled substance laws in Ohio;
  10. comply with the rights of tenants under the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act, 117 Stat. 2835, 50 U.S.C. App. 501.

Tenant's Responsibilities

The tenant has certain responsibilities regarding how they conduct themselves on the premises and how they take care with the property and any appliances or other features offered for their use (e.g. appliances). The laws in Ohio are general, other than the stipulation Ohio law that the tenant also not violate the controlled substance law:

  1. keep the premises safe and sanitary;
  2. dispose of all rubbish, garbage, and other waste in a clean, safe, and sanitary manner;
  3. keep all plumbing fixtures as clean as their condition permits;
  4. use and operate all electrical and plumbing fixtures properly;
  5. comply with the requirements imposed on tenants by all applicable state and local housing, health, and safety codes;
  6. personally refrain and forbid any other person who is on the premises with tenant’s permission from intentionally or negligently destroying, defacing, damaging, or removing any fixture, appliance, or other part of the premises;
  7. maintain in good working order and condition any appliances supplied by the landlord and required to be maintained by tenant;
  8. conduct himself and require other persons on the premises with tenant’s consent to conduct themselves in a manner that will not disturb a neighbors’ peaceful enjoyment; and
  9. conduct himself, and require other people in the household and guests to conduct themselves, in a manner so as not to violate the prohibitions contained in R.C. 2925 and 3719 or in municipal ordinances that are substantially similar regarding controlled substances.