Do this today
- Keep the paper. Photograph every page.
- Write the date, time, and how it arrived.
- Look for Franklin County Municipal Court, a case number, or an appearance date.
- If a court is named, call legal aid the same day. Do not guess the deadline.
What were you handed?
| The paper | What it usually is | Do this |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord notice | A step before a court case. Not a judgment, and not a lockout. | Date it. Keep the original. Write down how it arrived. Check whether it offers a chance to fix the problem. |
| Court papers | A case has been filed. A court name, case number, or appearance date is running. | Call legal aid the same day. Do not ignore it. Bring the papers and a timeline of how you received them. |
| Lockout or shutoff | Locks changed, belongings moved, or utilities cut on an occupied unit. | Call 211 and legal aid today. In most states a landlord may not do this personally. Police non-emergency can document it. |
Is a notice in Columbus the same as being evicted?
No. A written landlord notice is a step. Franklin County Municipal Court is where a possession case is heard. Papers that name a court, a case number, or an appearance date mean a case has been filed — that is same-day legal-aid work. Ohio Chapter 5321 is the book. Columbus 311/code is the conditions door.
What should I be careful not to do?
Do not ignore court papers. Do not assume a lockout is lawful because a notice looks official. Do not sign a move-out or cash-for-keys paper you have not read with an advocate. Columbus 311 is not a substitute for legal aid once a case is filed.
Is Columbus the same as Cleveland for renters?
Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321 is shared. The City codes and the courts are not. Franklin County Municipal Court hears many Columbus forcible-entry cases. Cleveland’s rental-registration and lead-safe rules do not apply here.
The Columbus layer
Ohio Chapter 5321 is the book. Columbus 311/code is the conditions door.
Ohio Landlords and Tenants Act (Ohio Rev. Code §§ 5321.01 to 5321.20) is the Ohio floor. We name it. We do not paraphrase a day-count or a dollar cap out of it.
Columbus questions
Can my landlord in Columbus evict me without going to court?
No. Changing locks or shutting off utilities is not how possession is completed. Franklin County Municipal Court is the court. If the paper names it, call legal aid the same day.
How long does an eviction notice last in Columbus?
That number is in Ohio Landlords and Tenants Act, and it can depend on the reason, the housing type, and any local ordinance. This site does not reprint it. Open the chapter or call legal aid with the paper in your hand.
Is Columbus the same as Cleveland for renters?
Ohio Revised Code Chapter 5321 is shared. The City codes and the courts are not. Franklin County Municipal Court hears many Columbus forcible-entry cases. Cleveland’s rental-registration and lead-safe rules do not apply here.
What number should I call in Columbus?
Danger: 911. Mental-health crisis: 988. City services: 311. Court papers: LawHelp.org the same day. Columbus 311 does not replace legal aid when a case is filed.
National answers on this desk
Last reviewed 8 September 2026. Legal information, not legal advice. Not a law firm. hello@renterprotection.org