Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Ohio

In Ohio, unless there is a provision in your lease agreement allowing the landlord to increase the rent, then the answer is no, the rent cannot be raised in the middle of the lease term absent consent from the renter to the increase.

You would do well to keep all of your communications with the landlord in writing so that if the landlord later goes to court to say that you consented to something you did not agree to, you have photocopies of all your communications to back up your story.

Lastly, you should take care to take the proper steps when leaving the apartment at the end of your lease term. You can find out what to do at http://www.ohiolandlordtenant.com/faq40.html