3-day pay-or-quit · 3-day cure-or-quit · 30-day / 60-day no-fault, under ORC § 5321 (Landlords and Tenants)
Eviction notices in Ohio must comply with precise statutory requirements, including the correct notice period, required content, and proper service method. A notice with a missing element, incorrect amount, or improper service is void, requiring the landlord to restart the process. Use these state-specific templates as a starting point and verify all requirements against current Ohio law before serving.
3 days written notice. Must contain the statutorily required language: "You are being asked to leave the premises..." Missing the required language is the most common reason Ohio cases get dismissed.
Material lease violation
3
ORC § 1923.04
3 days written notice with the same statutorily required language. The lease may specify a longer period; the lease controls if longer than 3 days.
Holdover, month-to-month
30
ORC § 5321.17
30 days written notice to terminate a month-to-month tenancy. No cause required statewide; Cincinnati requires just-cause for non-renewal of 12+ month tenancies.
End of fixed-term lease
0
ORC § 1923.02
No notice required if the lease has a fixed end date and the tenant holds over. Cincinnati just-cause overlay may apply for 12+ month tenancies.
3-Day Notice to Pay Rent or Quit
Use when rent is past due. The tenant has 3 days (excluding the day of service) to pay in full or vacate. Do not accept partial payment after serving without written documentation of your intent to reserve rights.
TO: [Tenant Full Name(s)] PROPERTY ADDRESS: [Full street address, unit #, Ohio]
NOTICE TO PAY RENT OR QUIT
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that the rent for the above premises is past due and unpaid as follows:
You are required to pay the full amount stated above OR vacate the premises within 3 DAYS of service of this notice, excluding the day of service, weekends, and judicial holidays.
Payment may be made to:
[Landlord / Property Manager Name]
[Mailing address or payment portal URL]
Failure to pay or vacate within the time stated will result in the initiation of unlawful detainer (eviction) proceedings to recover possession, past-due rent, court costs, and attorney fees.
Use when a tenant has violated a specific lease term (unauthorized pet, occupant, nuisance, etc.). Cite the exact lease clause violated. The tenant has 3 days to cure or vacate.
TO: [Tenant Full Name(s)] PROPERTY ADDRESS: [Full street address, unit #, Ohio]
NOTICE TO PERFORM COVENANT OR QUIT
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that you have violated the following covenant(s) of your rental agreement:
Violation: [Describe specific breach, e.g., "You are maintaining an unauthorized dog on the premises in violation of Section 12 of your Lease Agreement dated [Date], which prohibits pets without prior written consent."]
You are required to CURE this violation OR vacate and surrender possession within 3 DAYS of service of this notice, excluding the day of service, weekends, and judicial holidays.
To cure, you must: [State specific required action, e.g., "Remove the dog from the premises and provide written confirmation to landlord within three days."]
Failure to cure or vacate will result in forfeiture of your lease and initiation of unlawful detainer proceedings.
Use for no-fault termination of a month-to-month tenancy. Ohio requires 30 days for tenancies under one year and 60 days for tenancies of one year or more.
TO: [Tenant Full Name(s)] PROPERTY ADDRESS: [Full street address, unit #, Ohio]
NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF TENANCY, [30 / 60] DAYS
YOU ARE HEREBY NOTIFIED that your tenancy of the above premises is terminated effective [30 / 60] DAYS from service of this notice. You must vacate and surrender possession no later than: [Computed Date].
Failure to vacate by the stated date may result in unlawful detainer proceedings.
2ndSubstituted service, leave with adult + mail copy
3rdPost-and-mail, affix to entrance + mail copy
Always document service in writing: date, time, method, and who received it. Use a process server for contested evictions. Email service is not valid in Ohio unless the tenant has separately agreed in writing.
Notice validity checklist:
Correct tenant name(s), exact amount owed, proper notice period, specific statute cited, correct service method, documented proof of service. One missing element can void the notice and restart the clock.
