Ohio Rev. Code § 4781 § 4781.49
Limits on operator's right to recover possession of premises.
Operative Text
(A) No park operator of residential premises shall initiate any act, including termination of utilities or services, exclusion from the premises, or threat of any unlawful act, against a resident, or a resident whose right to possession has terminated, for the purpose of recovering possession of residential premises, other than as provided in Chapters 1923., 4781., and 5303. of the Revised Code. (B) No park operator of residential premises shall seize the furnishings or possessions of a resident, or of a resident whose right to possession was terminated, for the purpose of recovering rent payments, other than in accordance with an order issued by a court of competent jurisdiction. (C) A park operator who violates this section is liable in a civil action for all damages caused to a resident, or to a resident whose right to possession has terminated, together with reasonable attorneys' fees.
Ohio Rev. Code § 4781.49 restricts the methods a manufactured home park operator may use to reclaim possession of a lot or recover unpaid rent. Operators are prohibited from cutting off utilities, physically excluding residents, making threats, or seizing personal belongings outside of a court order or the procedures set out in Ohio's eviction and related statutes. A park operator who acts outside these boundaries can be held civilly liable for all resulting damages, including the resident's reasonable attorneys' fees.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ohio Rev. Code § 4781.49, compliant park operators pursue possession exclusively through the legal channels established in Ohio Revised Code Chapters 1923, 4781, and 5303—meaning formal court proceedings rather than self-help measures. Operators generally avoid any action that could be construed as a lockout, utility shutoff, or threat intended to pressure a resident into leaving, even after a resident's right to possession has ended. Seizure of a resident's furnishings or personal property to satisfy unpaid rent is only permissible when a court of competent jurisdiction has issued an order authorizing it.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ohio Rev. Code § 4781.49 gives manufactured home park residents explicit protections against self-help eviction tactics such as utility cutoffs, lockouts, threats, and seizure of personal belongings. If a park operator engages in any of these prohibited acts, the statute provides a civil remedy that may include recovery of all damages caused as well as reasonable attorneys' fees. Residents who believe their operator has violated § 4781.49 may consider documenting the conduct, contacting a local tenant-rights organization, or consulting with an attorney about filing a civil action.
General guidance for tenants — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult a tenant-rights organization or attorney for advice on your case.
Generated October 9, 2026 — auto-generated, not yet human-reviewed. See /transparency for methodology.
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