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What kind of property will be rented? Mobile HomeLast Update September 14th, 2024
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Table of Contents:An Ohio rental application is a legal document used by landlords and property managers to assess and choose an appropriate tenant for a rental property.
The document is also known as a “tenant application,” “rental lease application,” “lease application,” or an “application for rental property”. Each renter over 18 that will occupy the residence must complete their own individual tenant form.
Having a rental application can prove highly important to make sure you get the right tenant into your property. The process of screening prospective residents in this way allows you to discover any issues such as their inability to pay rent or the likelihood to cause a nuisance before signing a contract.
You will need to choose the correct type of rental application template depending on the people you are renting to and your property’s designation. There are two options to choose from in Ohio, which can be seen below.
| Standard/General Rental Application | Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Rental Application | |
|---|---|---|
| Which landlords can use it? | Private landlords | Landlords with Section 8 housing |
| What kind of tenants is it designed for? | Any | Tenants eligible for subsidized housing |
Both landlords and tenants need to provide specific information on an Ohio rental application. This is so it complies with state laws and allows an informed decision to be made. The details each party should provide can be seen below.
| Data the Tenant Can Be Asked for | Essential Disclosures from the Landlord |
|---|---|
| Personal data | The property’s condition |
| Rental history | Potential hazards to the tenant |
| Employment details | Shared utility arrangements |
| Income information | Rent control rules |
| Credit history | Smoking policy |
| Personal references | The security deposit |
| Permission for background checks | Associated fees |
The information offered by either the landlord or tenant will vary from application to application. However, it is vitally important that both sides get the clearest picture possible about the nature of the lease before signing an agreement.
Ohio State has various laws regarding the use of rental applications. If your document is not compliant with OH law, you may get sued by the applicant and face legal consequences.
There are no OH laws regarding application fees. Therefore there is no limit in terms of what application fee can be charged by Ohio landlords. Furthermore, the application fee is non-refundable regardless of its amount.
Ohio doesn’t set any limits on how much you can charge as a security deposit. However, it is recommended not to charge more than 1-2 months rent for this amount (Ohio Revised Code Annotated § 5321.16).
Ohio has no specific statutes policing housing discrimination. Nevertheless, the Fair Housing Act (FHA), is enshrined in federal law meaning that landlords may not refuse a tenant for discriminatory reasons.
Under the FHA you may not reject a tenant application for reasons such as their race, religion, sex, family status, or because they have any disabilities. You may also not discriminate against their criminal history (whether or not a background check is carried out) or nationality.
Tenants must be told about any specific screening criteria, as well as the reasons that they could be denied or approved by the landlord. To show that this information has been shared, a signature of acknowledgment from the tenant is required (§ 4141.28)
Within Ohio, federal law is in effect that requires potential renters to provide written consent for a credit history check during the application process. This is known as the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA).
Under the Federal Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), tenants being screened in Ohio must consent to any credit checks you wish to carry out. To make sure you comply with the law, the applicant must provide written acknowledgment of the screening on the application form.