Free tools for Property Managers. This article summarizes some key Ohio landlord-tenant laws applicable to residential rental units. The Official State Statutes and other reputable municipal sources were used to research this information. All sources are cited appropriately. With that said, landlord-tenant laws are always changing, and may even vary from county to county. You have a responsibility to perform your own research and cautiously apply the laws to your unique situation. If you have a legal question or concern, I only recommend contacting a licensed attorney referral service that is operated by the Ohio State Bar Association. This article is not intended to be exhaustive or a substitute for qualified legal advice.HelmetsHelmets are designed to protect you from one accident, and one accident only. Sometimes damage isn’t visible, so buy a new helmet to make sure you’re getting full protection. Child car seatsLike helmets, car seats are really only meant to protect in one accident.
But damaged car seats are common; a survey found that one in ten have been in an accident. Plus, car seat technology improves each year. TiresIf they’ve been in an accident, tires are likely to be unstable and unreliable. Make sure you can get an accurate history. Wet suits and swimsuitsPersonal products that hug your body are technically safe if you wash them in hot water... and still we're cautious. But constant changes in water pressure also wear out swimwear faster than regular clothing, so it's likely a used wetsuit or swimsuit will tear. MattressesBed bugs could lurk in any used mattress. You might also end up sleeping with other people’s mold, mites, bacteria, and bodily fluids (yuck!). CribsScores of crib recalls, as well as changing safety standards, make it hard to verify the safety of a used crib. Laptops or other devicesLaptops, e-readers, tablets, or mp3 players are more likely to be dropped, knocked around, and spilled on, simply because they’re out in the world.
A desktop computer sits (mostly) safe at home, but even that would likely cost more to upgrade than buy new. TVsIt’s hard to determine how well TVs, DVD players, and other electronic devices have been cared for by their previous owners. Plus, technology changes so quickly that you can often get a better quality device. If you're buying refurbished devices directly from a manufacturer, you'll be covered by a warranty—but a random TV at a garage sale could be hit or miss. ShoesUsed shoes have been molded to their previous owner’s feet—and poorly fitting shoes will make you miserable, or you'll just never want to wear them. Sheets and PillowcasesSure, you can wash them in hot water, but that might not protect against bed bugs. Baby bottlesWhile sanitation and cracks can be an issue, the real culprit is the chemical BPA that's present in most older bottles—and as of June 2012, the FDA no longer accepts that as safe. Go with new bottles to make sure you're getting the safest, most up-to-date bottles.
Worn plates, pots, and other cookwareRust, flaky non-stick coatings, and chemicals that leach out are just a few of the safety problems you can run into with older cookware. DVDs, CDs, and VHS tapesIf you're still using this technology and looking to scoop up a bargain, know that scratches have ruined many a DVD or CD—and VHS tapes lessen in quality the more times they're played, not to mention disintegrate over the years. Upholstered furnitureJust like mattresses and sheets, any upholstered furniture can be home to bed bugs, fleas, and spiders, as well as unknown odors and stains. Unless you're going to reupholster the piece, steer clear. Clothes that require a tailored fitIt might look like it fits—until you put it on. Unless you can try something on, it's often not worth the money you'll spend on alterations. Video GamesYou might want to quickly google the video game—manufacturers are now including codes for one-user only play, either for the whole game or special bonus sections.
Fragrance or makeup (new or old!)The quality of both can lessen over the years (and yes, they do expire!). Even if makeup is brand new in the box, skip it unless you can tell that it was recently manufactured. Stuffed animalsStuffed animals can be hard to send through the extra-hot cycle on a washing machine, and like mattresses and upholstered furniture, they can be full of creepy crawlies and other unsavory finds. Blenders and other kitchen electronicsYour go-to smoothie maker's blades and mechanisms can become dull and wear down over time, even if the machine looks fine on the surface. Running shoesUsed running shoes are often devoid of the cushioning that runners need; stick with new shoes for the cushioning and fit that will protect knees, feet, and legs. HatsHow's this for gross: Hats may contain remnants of hair products, sweat, or skin infections.Never recycle or dispose of aerosol cans or propane gas cylinders unless they are empty. Many household recycling opportunities accept empty aerosol cans.
If the product is non-toxic, the remaining aerosol can contents can be discharged into a box (or onto trash) outside and away from ignition sources, children and pets. Protect your eyes and skin and avoid breathing vapors. Allow the box to dry outside, and dispose of the dry box and empty can in your regular trash or recycle. Caution: Do not dispose of the wet box into a closed garbage can because vapors can build up inside the can and could cause a hazard. Propane gas containers can be recycled as metal scrap or disposed of only after the valve is removed by a professional and there is a hole that clearly shows it is empty. If you are considering refilling the cylinder, be sure to take it to a knowledgeable gas cylinder retailer or recycler. Most appliances can be easily recycled at a scrap yard. Refrigerators, air-conditioners and humidifiers contain environmentally harmful refrigerants that should be removed before recycling. scrap yard is not certified to remove refrigerants, then you should have
the appliance tagged by a certified refrigerator service company after the refrigerant is removed. Contact your solid waste management district or check our recyclers and environmental service providers search engine to see if there is a recycling opportunity near you. You can also refer to U.S. EPA’s information about safe disposal of refrigerated household appliances. Auto service centers and auto parts stores may accept some automotive fluids, including antifreeze, used oil, transmission fluid and power steering fluids from residents. Automotive fluids such as gasoline and brake fluid are dangerous because they are flammable or reactive. Contact your solid waste management district or one of these registered used oil collection centers to see if there is a recycling opportunity near you. Many of the entities contained in this list of battery recyclers will accept batteries from residents. Batteries Plus stores will also accept most battery types from residents for free.
Retailers of lead acid batteries (car batteries) are required to take your old battery for recycling when you buy a new one, and many computer and retail stores will often accept rechargeable batteries for recycling. Many electronic items are recyclable. Best Buy, Staples and other retailers offer free recycling for most electronic products. This list of computer and electronic non-profit and charity refurbishers is available or you can contact your solid waste management district to see if there is a recycling opportunity near you. U.S. EPA’s Plug Into eCycling website is a great source of information about handling and disposing of used electronics safely. Their site also includes statistics and a link to the Electronics Waste Management in the United States through 2009 report. Read more about electronic waste management. For information about proper handling and disposal of fluorescent bulbs, including guidelines for cleaning up a broken bulb, see Ohio EPA’s compact fluorescent light bulb webpage.
Fluorescent bulbs contain small amounts of mercury and recycling is recommended. Mercury is also found in other household items, such as old thermometers and thermostats. Home Depot and Lowe's offer free recycling of compact fluorescent bulbs at all of its store locations. Contact your solid waste management district or refer to this list of computer, fluorescent lamp and ballast recyclers to see if there is a recycling opportunity near you. Household hazardous waste includes cleaning products, solvents/paint removers, stains/varnishes, unknown substances, as well as aerosols/propane tanks, automotive fluids/used oil/other fuels, batteries, electronics, fluorescent bulbs/thermostats/thermometers, paint and pesticides/fertilizers. Some household hazardous waste can injure sanitation workers, contaminate septic tanks or wastewater treatment systems if poured down drains or toilets and present hazards to children and pets if left around the house. Latex paint can be dried out and put in the trash.
You can purchase paint hardeners from paint and home improvement stores, or you can mix the paint with cat litter or sawdust. Leave the lid off to speed up the drying process and to allow your trash hauler to verify that the paint is not liquid. Do not leave open cans near ignition sources, pets or children. Contact your solid waste management district or one of these paint and coatings recyclers to see if there is a recycling opportunity near you. Pesticides are chemicals used to kill or control household and garden pests such as weeds, insects and rodents. Most pesticides are designed to work on a wide number of pests. This also makes the pesticides harmful to useful insects, animals and plants. Improper pesticide disposal can harm humans, pets, livestock and the environment. Throwing pesticides in the trash, on the ground or pouring them down the drain can pollute lakes, streams and drinking water. When you consider using pesticides, first ask yourself these questions:
Do I really need a pesticide to get the job done? What is the least toxic product that I can use? How much do I need to buy? To avoid possible health and environmental problems, carefully follow the instructions on the household pesticide container and use only as much as the manufacturer recommends to get the job done. If you must use a pesticide, it’s important that you use, store and dispose of it properly. Ohio Department of Agriculture Pesticide and Fertilizer Regulation Section Ohio State University Agricultural Extension Offices Ohio EPA regulations do not prohibit homeowners from throwing medications in the trash. However you should refer to the pharmaceutical waste page for guidance about proper drug disposal as pharmaceuticals may be misused and can damage waterways if flushed. Read more about infectious waste management here. Find out how to recycle your old smoke detector here. Disposing of loose needles, lancets and syringes (sharps) into household trash poses a risk to family members and solid waste workers who must handle the waste.
Ohio law allows for the disposal of sharps generated by an individual for the purposes of their own care or treatment at home. However, it is strongly encouraged that all sharps be packaged in an appropriate container and labeled to convey its potential hazard. Ohio EPA's Disposal of Household Generated Sharps guidance document provides disposal tips to homeowners who generate sharps for purposes of their own care or treatment. Illegally dumping scrap tires creates a nuisance that obstructs the natural beauty of Ohio’s landscape and can accumulate water, creating a breeding ground for mosquitoes that transmit a variety of diseases to people and animals. Illegally open burning scrap tires can create immediate health hazards to persons with breathing problems. These lists of scrap tire facilities and scrap tire transporters are available to see if there are local companies that will accept your tires. Most tire dealers and some Ohio EPA licensed solid waste facilities will also accept tires for a fee.