Hocking County Municipal Court
Civil Division
General Information Regarding Civil Division
You may contact the Civil Division during the office hours of 8:00 A.M. to 4:00 P.M., Monday through Friday.
You may file a civil action in this court if the total amount of damages is $15,000.00 or less.
The jurisdiction of the Hocking County Municipal Court includes all of Hocking County.
Eviction Filing Process
You must be the owner of the property or an attorney representing the owner to evict a tenant.
You must obtain two (2) forms: a Notice to Leave the Premises form and an Eviction Complaint form. These forms are available on this web site.
First, you must complete the Notice to Leave the Premises form giving the tenant three (3) full business days (excluding the day you give it to them) to leave the premises for non-payment of rent. If you have another reason to evict, you must give the tenant thirty (30) days to leave. Make a copy of the notice, serve one on the tenant and keep the other to file with the Court. The notice may be served by (1) certified mail, return receipt requested, (2) by handing a copy of the notice to the tenant in person, (3) by leaving the notice at the tenant’s usual place of abode or by leaving it at the premises from which the tenant is sought to be evicted.
NOTE: “The Notice to Leave the Premises” should contain the following paragraph boldly and conspicuously:
“You are being asked to leave the premises. If you do not leave, an eviction action may be initiated against you. If you are in doubt regarding your legal rights and obligations as a tenant, it is recommended that you seek legal assistance.”
To file an eviction case, you will need:
The hearing is scheduled at the earliest time available by the Court.
If you have any additional concerns or questions, please feel free to contact:
PLEASE NOTE: IT IS NEITHER ETHICAL NOR PERMISSIBLE BY LAW FOR A COURT EMPLOYEE TO GIVE LEGAL ADVICE.
Landlord-Tenant Law
The State of Ohio has in place "The Landlord-Tenant Law" which explains the responsibilities each party has in regard to a rental unit, and the actions that each party may take if those responsibilities are not met.
Rental Escrow Complaint Procedure
The tenant must first send a list of repairs or maintenance needed to the landlord by certified mail. The landlord has thirty days from the receipt of the certified letter to make the listed repairs. If after thirty days, the landlord has not made the listed repairs to the property, the tenant may file a Rental Escrow complaint with the Clerk of Courts.
The tenant does not pay a filing fee for a Rental Escrow complaint.
The tenant must provide the Clerk of Courts Office with the following:
Security Deposit
After a tenant moves out, the landlord subtracts from the deposit any past due rent and the cost of tenant-caused damages. The landlord then must return the balance, with an itemized list of subtractions to the tenant within 30 days of the termination of the lease.
When the tenant provides the landlord in writing with a forwarding address and a security deposit is wrongly withheld, the tenant may recover double the amount due and reasonable attorney fees.
Civil Costs
Effective February 1, 2017
Complaint | $150.00 |
each additional defendant | $10.00 |
Complaint (Collection of credit card debt) | $150.00 |
each additional defendant | $10.00 |
Cognovit Note | $150.00 |
each additional defendant | $10.00 |
Forcible Entry & Detainer (Eviction) | $150.00 |
each additional defendant | $10.00 |
Writ of Restitution (each defendant) | $25.00 |
Counter, Cross claim, or Third Party Complaint | $35.00 |
Amended Complaint | $35.00 |
Re-serve Certified Mail (each defendant) | $10.00 |
Judgment Debtor Examination | $50.00 |
each additional defendant | $10.00 |
Garnishment for Wage Attachment (judgment balance over $500) | $130.00 |
Garnishment for Wage Attachment (judgment balance under $500) | $70.00 |
Bank Attachment (plus $1.00 check to bank) | $50.00 |
Personal Service Fee (plus sheriff costs) | $10.00 |
Contempt Order | $40.00 |
Transfer to another court | $60.00 |
Certificate of Judgment | $35.00 |
Certificate of Judgment to BMV | $35.00 |
Revivor of Judgment | $60.00 |
Civil Warrant | $30.00 |
Certified Document | $1.00 |
Execution | $150.00 |
Appeal (plus $85.00 for Court of Appeal filing fee) | $50.00 |
Jury Demand (plus $350.00 security deposit) | $50.00 |
Objections to Magistrate's Decision | $10.00 |
Trusteeship | $110.00 |
Motion for Summary Judgment | $35.00 |
Subpoena (plus service costs) | $5.00 |
Court Reporter: As per rule. Requesting party shall be responsible for payment directly to the reporter. |