Lease Expires Tomorrow, I Have Not Received A New Lease Or Any Notice At All. This Has Been Happening With Everyone In My Apartment Community. Do I Have Legal Precedent For Them Not Providing A Renewal Before The Lease Expires?

Location: Ohio. I have been living in an apartment for about 5 years now, I’m the first person to live in my unit. My lease expires tomorrow and I have yet to receive any notice on renewal.

In May, 90 days away from lease expiration, I emailed the property manager asking about renewal. She emailed back that they were behind on renewals but would get mine to me within a week. That did not come. On July 8 anyone in the community who had renewals up or before August 31, or whose already expired, were emailed telling us we would receive a renewal by the end of that week, none of us did.

I have spoken with several neighbors who all have the same experience. Some neighbors whose lease expired just continued to pay the monthly rent until the property management brought them a new lease. That was going to be my plan as well but when I went in to pay the August rent it only let me pay until the expiration, not a normal monthly amount.

I’m very concerned and stressed as the lease expires tomorrow and there has been zero communication about my situation. The management company seems to be a mess and I know this is not unique to me.

My question though, is this illegal - them not providing information on renewal before the lease expires?

The last lease I signed said if a new renewal was not signed by the time of expiration I would continue to pay the monthly amount + $100. But as previously stated I didn’t have that option in the online portal, it only let me pay for 3 days not the full month.

What should I do? Is there any legal precedent here? Is there something I can say if I go to talk to them on Monday?

I want to know my rights and what their responsibilities are as property manager.

Also, to be clear I always pay my rent on time and they have never had any issues with me, so I know this isn’t a situation where they are wanting to kick me out, they’re just incredibly unorganized and frankly are being unprofessional (and again this has been happing to everyone not just me).

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!