Quick AnswerThis checklist covers the lease disclosures a Ohio landlord must provide in 2026 under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321, plus the federal lead-based paint disclosure for pre-1978 housing. Getting them right at signing avoids penalties and keeps the lease enforceable.
Before a Ohio tenant signs, the landlord owes them a specific set of written notices. This page walks through all 1 disclosures Ohio requires under Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321, plus the federal lead-paint rule, each with a citation and the cost of getting it wrong. See also our Ohio lease requirements guide.

Which disclosures must a Ohio lease include?

Ohio landlord-tenant law is governed by Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321. Beyond the universal federal lead rule, the disclosures a Ohio landlord must give at or around lease signing are:

DisclosureAuthorityApplies To
Owner/agent identityR.C. § 5321.18Every lease
Lead-based paint hazard + EPA pamphletTitle X (federal)Housing built before 1978

The main Ohio lease disclosures

Owner/agent identity (R.C. § 5321.18): the lease or a written notice must state the name and address of the owner and of any person authorized to manage the premises.

Federal lead-based paint disclosure

Federal law overlays Ohio's own rules here. Any pre-1978 rental triggers Title X (42 U.S.C. § 4852d): the landlord must supply a signed lead-warning statement, disclose known lead hazards, share available inspection records, and give the tenant the EPA booklet Protect Your Family From Lead in Your Home. Skipping it exposes the landlord to civil and, in serious cases, criminal liability.

What happens if a Ohio landlord skips a required disclosure?

Consequences depend on the disclosure:

  • A wrongfully withheld deposit exposes the landlord to double the amount plus attorney's fees (R.C. § 5321.16).
  • A missing owner/agent disclosure leaves the lease non-compliant and complicates notice and service (§ 5321.18).
  • A federal lead-paint violation carries civil and, in egregious cases, criminal penalties plus liability for tenant damages.

For the full set of Ohio lease rules — deposits, late fees, and notice periods — see What Must a Ohio Lease Agreement Include. Managing rentals in more than one state? Compare Ohio's list with our Michigan and Illinois disclosure checklists, and see the baseline in What Every Residential Lease Agreement Must Include.

A compliant Ohio lease includes every disclosure the state requires — owner/agent identity — plus the federal lead-based paint disclosure for pre-1978 housing. Build a lease with LeaseHelper and the Ohio disclosures that apply are included by default — no manual checklist needed.

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Frequently asked questions

What disclosures are required in a Ohio lease?

A Ohio lease must include owner/agent identity (R.C. § 5321.18), plus the federal lead-based paint disclosure for pre-1978 housing.

Does Ohio require a owner/agent identity disclosure?

Yes. the lease or a written notice must state the name and address of the owner and of any person authorized to manage the premises (R.C. § 5321.18).

Does Ohio require a lead-paint disclosure?

Yes, for pre-1978 housing. This is a federal requirement: the signed lead-warning disclosure, known records, and the EPA pamphlet.

Official sources

Primary statutes and official government references for this guide. Statutes change — always confirm against the current official text before you act.

This article explains Ohio lease disclosure requirements and landlord-tenant law in general terms and shouldn't be treated as legal advice. Verify the current law before acting — statutes change and local ordinances can add obligations — and consult a licensed Ohio attorney for complex or high-stakes situations. Last reviewed: July 2, 2026.