Can a landlord evict the tenant for joining with the other tenants?

Full question:

I have rented a four-story building to four tenants. My new tenant along with the other tenants has been asking me to amend few terms in the rental agreement. These terms relate to the amount of rent and maintenance of property. I want to evict my tenant for joining with the other tenants and trying to negotiate the terms of the rental agreement. Can I bring an action against the new tenant? I am a resident of Ohio.

Answer:

Per ORC Ann. 5321.02, the landlord may not retaliate against a tenant by threatening or bringing an action for the possession of the tenant's premises, because the tenant has joined other tenants for the purpose of negotiating any of the terms and conditions of the rental agreement.

ORC Ann. 5321.02  reads:
 
“(A) Subject to section 5321.03 of the Revised Code, a landlord may not retaliate against a tenant by increasing the tenant's rent, decreasing services that are due to the tenant, or bringing or threatening to bring an action for possession of the tenant's premises because:
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     (3) The tenant joined with other tenants for the purpose of negotiating or dealing collectively with the landlord on any of the terms and conditions of a rental agreement.”
 
In the given instance, the landlord may not bring an action against the new tenant for possession of the new tenant's premises on the basis that the new tenant joined the other tenants in order to negotiate the terms of the rental agreement.
 

This content is for informational purposes only and is not legal advice. Legal statutes mentioned reflect the law at the time the content was written and may no longer be current. Always verify the latest version of the law before relying on it.

FAQs

Yes, when a tenant transfers all leasehold interests to another person, it is considered an assignment of the lease. In this case, the new tenant assumes all rights and obligations under the original lease. However, the original tenant may still be liable to the landlord unless the landlord releases them from the lease obligations.