What is required for the recording of leases in Ohio?

The recording of leases in Ohio is guided by the principle that certain leases must be recorded to provide notice to third parties and protect the interests of the parties involved. While it’s true that leases are not strictly required to be recorded to be enforceable between the parties, recording them serves an essential function in establishing priority and providing public notice.

Leases with a duration exceeding one year benefit significantly from recording, as it protects the lessee's rights against claims from subsequent purchasers or creditors. Therefore, it is advisable to record these types of leases as soon as possible to ensure that their existence is made known to others, thereby safeguarding the interests of the parties involved.

In contrast, leases that are shorter than one year typically do not require recording for enforceability, which explains the other options. This is relevant because many short-term leases, such as month-to-month agreements, do not pose the same risk of competing claims as longer-term leases. Thus, the recording requirement is not as crucial for leases under one year, leading to confusion regarding necessary actions based on lease duration. Therefore, while technically leases can be filed at any time, the most prudent and protective action for longer leases is to have them recorded without delay.