Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Ohio

Can my landlord charge me a pet fee when it's not specified in the lease? The lease says "no pets without written consent from the landlord". I have consent from the landlord and the pet was listed in my application, but a pet deposit was never specified. Now he wants me to pay another full month's worth of rent for a pet deposit. Is this legal? Can I break the lease without penalty since this was not specified? Thanks!


Asked on 5/31/15, 7:48 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Eric Willison Eric Eastman Willison

In Ohio, once the lease is signed, then there can be no changes to it unless both the landlord and the tenant agree. If you have something from the landlord in writing that he gave consent and did not request a fee for that consent, then he can't change his mind and charge you money. But if he agreed to allow the pet if you would pay a pet deposit (making his consent conditional) then he would be able to do so.

Read more
Answered on 5/31/15, 7:21 pm


Related Questions & Answers

More Landlord & Tenants questions and answers in Ohio