Law would give breaks to military on lease withdrawals

COLUMBUS — Landlords would be required to let military men and women heading to active duty out of leases without financial penalty, under legislation approved in the Ohio House.

House Bill 64, sponsored by Connie Pillich, a Democrat from southwestern Ohio, passed by a final vote of 98-0 and heads to the Senate for further consideration.

“Members of the military, by the very nature of their jobs, move often and sometimes are given very little notice of deployment,” said Pillich, an Air Force veteran. “Indeed, military orders rarely coincide with rental lease agreements.”

The legislation would cover service members who receive orders to relocate for active duty for 90 days or more. Tenants would have to provide written notice of their need to terminate rental agreements, plus a copy of their official military orders.

Rental agreements then would be terminated about a month later. Landlords would be required to return deposits (provided there are no damages to the premises as stipulated in rental agreements) and any advance rental payments.

Landlords who violate the new law would face potential monetary damages and attorneys fees.