Ohio Rev. Code § 5321 § 5321.14
Unconscionable terms.
Operative Text
(A) If the court as a matter of law finds a rental agreement, or any clause thereof, to have been unconscionable at the time it was made, it may refuse to enforce the rental agreement or it may enforce the remainder of the rental agreement without the unconscionable clause, or it may so limit the application of any unconscionable clause as to avoid any unconscionable result. (B) When it is claimed or appears to the court that the rental agreement, or any clause thereof, may be unconscionable, the parties shall be afforded a reasonable opportunity to present evidence as to its setting, purpose, and effect to aid the court in making the determination.
Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.14 gives courts the authority to address rental agreement terms that were unconscionable—meaning grossly unfair or one-sided—at the time the agreement was signed. A court may throw out the entire agreement, remove only the offending clause and enforce the rest, or narrow how a clause applies to prevent an unjust outcome. Before making that determination, the court must give all parties a fair chance to present evidence about the context, intent, and effect of the disputed term.
Plain English — not legal advice.
Under Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.14, lease clauses that a court finds unconscionable at the time of signing can be struck or rewritten by the court, potentially leaving the rest of the agreement intact but altered in ways the landlord did not intend. Operators who review their lease terms for fairness and clarity—particularly provisions that heavily restrict tenant rights or impose unusual obligations—are generally better positioned to have their agreements enforced as written. Consulting a qualified attorney when drafting or updating lease language is a common practice among compliant property managers in Ohio.
General guidance for property managers — not legal advice for your specific situation. Consult an attorney for advice on your case.
Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.14 provides a legal basis for challenging rental agreement clauses that were unconscionable when the lease was signed, and courts are required to give tenants a meaningful opportunity to present evidence about the circumstances surrounding those terms. This provision can be raised as a defense in court proceedings—for example, if a landlord seeks to enforce a clause that appears grossly one-sided or oppressive. Tenants who believe a lease term may be unconscionable often consult a tenant-rights organization or legal aid office to understand how this provision might apply to their situation.
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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