Rent control laws limit the amount a landlord can increase rents on existing tenants. Most states have laws that prohibit local governments from enacting rent control measures. But over 180 municipalities in the United States have rent control measures—and all of them are located in California, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, D.C.
The state of Oregon has a statewide rent control law that limits annual rent increases to 7% plus the increase in the consumer price index.
In Ohio, there are currently no statewide rent control laws that limit the amount a landlord can increase rents on existing tenants. Unlike Oregon and the municipalities in California, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, D.C., Ohio does not have legislation that caps rent increases either at the state or local level. Landlords in Ohio are generally free to set and increase rent prices as they see fit, subject to any contractual agreements they may have with tenants and provided they comply with other relevant landlord-tenant laws, such as giving proper notice before a rent increase takes effect.