Ohio Landlord/Tenant Law: Introduction to Ohio Landlord/Tenant Law

Held that a landlord’s agent, including a property manager or the sole owner of an LLC, cannot bring an eviction action in municipal court because that constitutes the unauthorized practice of law.

A layperson who presents a claim or defense and appears in small claims court on behalf of a limited liability company as a company officer does not engage in the unauthorized practice of law, provided that the individual does not
engage in cross-examination, argument, or other acts of advocacy.

10th District Court of Appeals decision holding that a laymen can represent his sole proprietorship, if it is not an LLC.

A corporation which is a real party in interest in any action in a small claims division may commence such an action and appear therein through an attorney at law. Such a corporation may, through any bona fide officer or salaried employee, file and present its claim or defense in any action in a small claims division arising from a claim based on a contract to which the corporation is an original party or any other claim to which the corporation is an original claimant, provided such corporation does not, in the absence of representation by an attorney at law, engage in cross-examination, argument, or other acts of advocacy.

May corporations or limited liability companies file objections? Yes, but only if represented by an attorney.

Eviction Resources

In Franklin County, evictions are filed on the 3rd Floor of 375 South High Street in Columbus, Ohio with the Franklin County Municipal Court. This page is from the Court Clerk's office and explains the process of filing an eviction.

Ohio Legal Services

Ohio State Bar Association (OSBA), includes YouTube video

From the Hamilton County Law Library

From the Ohio Poverty Law Center, LLC