Ohio Landlord Tenant Law forbids a landlord from retaliating against a tenant by increasing the rent, decreasing the services, evicting or threatening to evict the tenant because the tenant has:
- Complained to a public official
- Complained to the landlord
- Joined with other tenants to bargain collectively over the terms and conditions of the rental agreement.
A tenant can file a claim or assert a defense to an eviction for retaliation. A landlord who engages in retaliation may be held liable for any actual damages to the tenant and for reasonable attorney’s fees.