Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Ohio

Re: possession of property

Unless the lease agreement provides otherwise, the property does not become yours. Even if the tenant has abandoned the premises, you still need to file an eviction action in municipal court. Assuming the tenant does not appear, the court will issue a writ of execution. This will authorize the sheriff to seize the abandoned property and sell it. After various costs are paid, including the money owed to you, the proceeds of sale will be placed in the unclaimed funds account and remain there until the tenant decides to claim them.