What to Do If You are Being Evicted

According to Ohio law, the landlord has to give you a “3-Day Notice to Vacate.” If you do not leave during those three days, the landlord can then file an action in court to try to get you to leave. You will receive a copy of the landlord’s complaint and a court summons at least 7 days before you have to appear in court.

When you appear in court, the landlord will argue that he has the right to evict you, and you can argue that you have the right to stay.

If the judge decides that you can stay, the case is dismissed. However, if the judge sides with your landlord, and you do not leave, the court can remove your belongings and force you to leave.

The landlord must follow certain laws in the process used to evict you. He can’t, for example, just lock you out.

Click here

for Cleveland Tenants Organization’s Eviction brochure, which describes the eviction process and your rights. The brochure is meant primarily for those with eviction cases pending in Cleveland Municipal Court.

Landlord-Tenant Law can be complicated, so you need to seek advice as soon as possible to try to prevent the eviction. There are programs that offer mediation, where you and your landlord sit down to reach an agreement without going to court. Try calling one of the following programs for assistance.

Your Rights and Responsibilities

Cleveland Tenants Organization

Rental Information Center

– (216) 432-0609
Informs renters of their rights and responsibilities under the Ohio Landlord-Tenant Law.

Eviction Diversion Program

– (216) 432-0614
Answers questions about legal rights and tries to establish eviction defenses.

Mediation Assistance

Cleveland Mediation Center

– (216) 621-1919

Cleveland Housing Court

(Cleveland and Bratenahl only)

– (216) 664-4295

Progressive Action Council

(CMHA residents only)

– (216) 432-5536

Spanish American Committee

– (216) 961-2100

Legal Assistance

If you need legal representation, you can try contacting the following organizations to see if you qualify for service.

Legal Aid Society

– (216) 687-1900
Targets those who are low-income (about $24,000/year for a family of 4 or $12,000/year for a single person).

Community Legal Services –

(216) 574-2593
Cannot help people whose housing is subsidized (such as CMHA or Section 8). Targets those who are low-income (about $24,000/year for a family of 4 or $12,000/year for a single person).

Northeast Ohio Coalition for the Homeless

– (216) 635-0768
Serves those who are homeless or those who are in danger or becoming homeless .

U.S. Dept. of Defense – Defense Legal Services Agency (military)

– (216) 902-6010

Emergency Shelter

If you find that you do not have a place to live, and are in immediate need of shelter, you can call 211/First Call For Help at 216-436-2000 or 2-1-1, 24 hours a day, every day, for information about available programs.