The Cincinnati security deposit demand letter that gets deposits back.
Your Cincinnati landlord must act within 30 days after termination and delivery of forwarding address under Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16. If they missed it, the statute is written on your side. We cite the statute, mail your demand USPS Certified, and track the response.
The law that protects your deposit
Deposits in Cincinnati are governed by Ohio state law: Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16. Wrongful withholding can make the landlord liable for the amount wrongfully withheld plus damages equal to that amount, and attorney's fees. Full Ohio deadline & penalty guide →
If the landlord ignores your letter
Deposit claims from Cincinnati are typically filed in the small-claims court serving Hamilton County — designed for people without lawyers, with modest filing fees.
Cincinnati at a glance
Population ~311,000 (U.S. Census 2024 estimate, rounded). Every deposit dispute here runs on the same clock: the 30-day statutory window — and a certified letter is the documented first step.
General legal information, not legal advice. City-specific ordinances change; verify current rules or consult a licensed Ohio attorney.