Leasing

I know a good amount of my friends are currently leasing homes/condos/apartments. This makes sense for a lot of reasons, mainly, it gives you the freedom to move on after a year or whatever the negotiated length of time is.
HOWEVER, I think it is vital to pay attention to what kind of contract you getting yourself into.

Here are a few things you may not be aware of.

Leases:

• Can be an oral agreement
• If landlord collects more than 1 month rent for security deposit, they must deposit the extra amount (beyond what a month costs) into a separate interest bearing account and pay the lessee (you) the interest
• Landlord cannot retaliate, increase rent, decrease services, bring or threaten action for possession if Tenant:
  1. Complains to the government
  2. Complains of Landlord obligations stated in ORC Section 5321.04 (Ohio Revised Code..see below)
  3. Joins with other tenants in collective negotiations
• NOTE: The landlord can increase rent for improvement costs or increased operating costs

Landlord Obligations ORC 5321.04

• Comply with Codes of health, building, housing & safety
• Repair to make "fit and habitable"
• Make common areas safe and sanitary 
• Systems must be safe and working, electric, plumbing, heat, etc
• If 4 or more units, provide receptacles for garbage and arrange for removal
• Supply running water, reasonable amounts of hot water and heat
• Not abuse access rights 

If you have any questions about leasing let me know. I have handle a lot of leases this year as it is becoming quite popular with people who can't afford a home. The most important thing is being in a strong contract, I've seen people get screwed because their landlord has a contract that they (landlord) bought at Staples. The Cincinnati Area Board of Realtors has a very strong contract I use.

If you are currently looking for a place to lease, let me know, I CAN HELP, and best thing is it costs you NOTHING!