Are the Coronavirus concessions being discussed legal?

[Marcee Stephenson]

I've heard and read many thoughts on what landlords may, or already are planning on doing due to the Coronavirus outbreak and subsequent closing down of much of our beloved country.

I've heard things such as:
1.  Waiving late fees for those who are late in paying rent due to the Coronavirus.
2.  Waiving part or all of April's rent for those who have lost their jobs or loss of hours.
3.  Using the Security Deposit as rent for those who cannot pay a specific month's rent.

My question is; Are these legal?  Meaning, could you be discriminating if you only do these for "specific" tenants and not others?  Are you legally allowed to use the Security Deposit for anything other than damages, unpaid utilities and last month's rent (if they left without paying the last month's rent)?

In trying to do good, could we be setting ourselves up for problems later on?

[Jill F.]

Hi @Marcee Stephenson

As long as they are applied in a non-discriminatory manner, I don't believe any of these run afoul of any Ohio Statues.