# Ohio Security Deposits: Wear vs Damage | Who Pays the Repair?

> Ohio landlords must itemize deposit deductions within 30 days; tenants are liable only for intentional/negligent damage, under R.C. §5321.16(B).

**Who pays:** shared

Ohio landlords must itemize deposit deductions and pay the balance within 30 days, and tenants are liable only for intentional/negligent damage, under R.C. §5321.16(B)/§5321.05(A)(6).

**Boundary:** Ohio landlords must itemize any deduction from a security deposit and deliver it with the balance due within 30 days after the rental agreement terminates and possession is returned, or the tenant can recover the wrongfully withheld amount plus damages and attorney's fees (Ohio Rev. Code §5321.16(B)).

## Sources
- [Ohio Rev. Code §5321.16(B) (30-day itemization deadline)](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-5321.16) — "Any deduction from the security deposit shall be itemized and identified by the landlord in a written notice delivered to the tenant together with the amount due, within thirty days after termination of the rental agreement and delivery of possession." (accessed 2026-09-13)
- [Ohio Rev. Code §5321.05(A)(6) (tenant liable only for intentional/negligent damage)](https://codes.ohio.gov/ohio-revised-code/section-5321.05) — "Personally refrain and forbid any other person who is on the premises with his permission from intentionally or negligently destroying, defacing, damaging, or removing any fixture, appliance, or other part of the premises." (accessed 2026-09-13)

_Last verified 2026-09-19. Source: Who Pays the Repair? — https://whopaystherepair.com/rules/ohio-security-deposit-wear-vs-damage/ — every claim checked against a primary source before publication (see /methodology/)._