A new Ohio law went into effect last year that protects tenants from being terminated from their farm crop leases without warning. The law requires landowners to provide written notice by September 1 to terminate a lease that does not have a termination date or method of notice.
The law applies to verbal leases and written leases that do not include a termination date or method of notice. It does not apply to leases for pasture, timber, farm buildings, horticultural buildings, or equipment.
The notice can be provided to the tenant by hand, mail, fax, or email. If the notice is provided by September 1, the lease is terminated either upon the date harvest is complete or December 31, whichever is earlier. If the notice is provided after September 1, the lease continues for another year unless the tenant voluntarily agrees to terminate the lease early.
The law is intended to protect tenants from being terminated from their leases without warning, which could disrupt their farming operations. It is important for landowners to be aware of the law and to provide timely notice to tenants if they are planning to terminate a lease.
This new law helps farmers because they won't be surprised by the lease ending suddenly. It's important to know:
- Notice Details: The law doesn't say exactly what the notice should say, but it's a good idea to include when it was given, what farm it's about, and when the lease will end.
- What If the Landowner Doesn't Follow the Law: If the landowner doesn't give notice on time, the farmer can ask for money to make up for it.
- Old Leases: The law only works for leases made after it started.
If you're a farmer or a landowner with a farm lease, it's a good idea to know about this law. It's also a good idea to talk to a lawyer if you have questions about it. Ohio wants to make sure farming is fair and clear for everyone involved.
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Categories: Ohio, Business