Eviction Court

An eviction is a legal process in which a landlord removes a tenant from a rental property for breach of a rental agreement. A landlord that files an eviction lawsuit is referred to as the "plaintiff" and a tenant who the eviction lawsuit is filed against is referred to as the "defendant".

Eviction Hearing

What to Bring

Each party must provide documentation at the eviction hearing that supports their case. The defendant must present their court summons to the Bailiff upon arriving when they check in. Both parties are responsible for bringing and providing any evidence or proof that will help their case.

What to Expect at the Hearing

Bring a copy of your summons to court with you.
You will be greeted on the 11th floor by Court Navigators who will give you information and help check you in.
Then, go to Courtroom 11B and check in with the bailiff.
Once both check-ins are complete, you will be able to request help from several agencies:
- Before the hearing starts, defendants are given the opportunity to speak with an attorney from the Legal Aid Society of Columbus, a Tenant Advocacy Program, to see if they are eligible to be represented free of charge.
- Representatives from Franklin County Job and Family Services are available onsite at Eviction Court to screen tenants prior to their Court appearance to see if they qualify for financial assistance to pay past due rent.
- Onsite mediation is provided free of charge by Community Mediation Services. The parties are encouraged to participate in mediation to attempt to resolve the case before their hearing to avoid the risks of going to trial. If no agreement is reached by mediation, the magistrate will hear the evidence from both the plaintiff and defendant and will make a decision.
If the defendant fails to appear, the magistrate will hear the case in their absence and make a decision. If the plaintiff does not appear, the case will be dismissed.

Possible Outcomes

The case gets continued to a later date. Read more about Eviction Continuance(PDF, 116KB)
The eviction is granted, or enforced, meaning that the tenant must move out. The tenant will receive a red tag on the door of the rental property indicating they have five (5) days to leave the premises. If the tenant does not leave the premises after five (5) days, the landlord can file for a set out, an action to remove the tenant's belongings from the rental property, supervised by a special court bailiff. More information about what happens after an eviction can be obtained at the eviction hearing or from the Self Help Resource Center.
The eviction is denied, meaning the landlord was unsuccessful at evicting the tenant and the case is dismissed.

FAQ

What are my rights as a tenant?

For information about tenant rights, contact the Self-Help Resource Center or Columbus Urban League.

Can I still evict a tenant if I do not have a written lease?

Yes, generally speaking, you can still evict a tenant if there is not a written lease. Oral agreements can be considered a lease. For more information, consult Ohio Revised Code 1923.01.

Can I evict a tenant for escrowing rent?

No, you cannot evict a tenant only because they escrowed the rent. If you have more questions about this or how it applies to your situation, contact an attorney.

Once I get an eviction judgment from the magistrate, can I change the locks on my property?

Not immediately. Once the judgment is entered against the tenant, the tenant will receive a red tag on the door of the property. The tenant has five (5) days to move out and return the keys to the landlord. If the tenant stays past the five (5) days, the landlord may request a set out.