Ohio Code § 5322.05

§ 5322.05.

(A) Subject to division (B) of this section, a reasonable late fee may be imposed and

collected by an owner for each service period that an occupant does not pay rent when

due under a rental agreement, provided that the due date for the rental payment is

not earlier than the day before the first day of the service period to which the rental

payment applies.  However, no late fee shall be imposed or collected if the occupant makes a rental

payment in full by the third day after the due date under the rental agreement. (B) No late fee may be collected pursuant to division (A) of this section unless the

amount of that fee and the conditions for imposing that fee are stated in the rental

agreement or an addendum to that agreement. (C) For purposes of division (A) of this section, a late fee of twenty dollars for each

late rental payment, or twenty per cent of the amount of each late rental payment,

whichever is greater, is deemed reasonable and does not constitute a penalty.  However, the contract may provide for a late fee in a greater amount if that amount

is reasonable.  The owner has the burden of proof that the late fee in the greater amount is reasonable. (D) Any reasonable expense incurred in rent collection or lien enforcement by an owner

may be charged to the occupant in addition to the late fees permitted by this section.