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Ohio Revised Code

Ohio Rev. Code § 5313.02 (2026)

Required provisions of land installment contracts

✓ current as of May 2026
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Effective:
March 19, 1993
Latest Legislation:
House Bill 473, House Bill 95 - 119th General Assembly
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(A) Every land installment contract shall be executed in duplicate, and a copy of the contract shall be provided to the vendor and the vendee. The contract shall contain at least the following provisions:

(1) The full names and then current mailing addresses of all the parties to the contract;

(2) The date when the contract was signed by each party;

(3) A legal description of the property conveyed;

(4) The contract price of the property conveyed;

(5) Any charges or fees for services that are includable in the contract separate from the contract price;

(6) The amount of the vendee's down payment;

(7) The principal balance owed, which is the sum of the specified in divisions (A)(4) and (5) of this section less the specified in division (A)(6) of this section;

(8) The amount and due date of each installment payment;

(9) The interest rate on the unpaid balance and the method of computing the rate;

(10) A statement of any encumbrances against the property conveyed;

(11) A statement requiring the vendor to deliver a general warranty deed on completion of the contract, or another deed that is available when the vendor is legally unable to deliver a general warranty deed;

(12) A provision that the vendor provide evidence of title in accordance with the prevailing custom in the area in which the property is located;

(13) A provision that, if the vendor defaults on any mortgage on the property, the vendee can pay on the mortgage and receive credit on the land installment contract;

(14) A provision that the vendor shall cause a copy of the contract to be recorded;

(15) A requirement that the vendee be responsible for the payment of taxes, assessments, and other charges against the property from the date of the contract, unless agreed to the contrary;

(16) A statement of any pending order of any public agency against the property.

(B) No vendor shall hold a mortgage on property sold by a land installment contract in an amount greater than the balance due under the contract, except a mortgage that covers real property in addition to the property that is the subject of the contract where the vendor has made written disclosure to the vendee of the amount of the mortgage and the release price, if any, attributable to the property in question.

No vendor shall place a mortgage on the property in an amount greater than the balance due on the contract without the consent of the vendee.

(C) Within twenty days after a land installment contract has been signed by both the vendor and the vendee, the vendor shall cause a copy of the contract to be recorded as provided in section 5301.25 of the Revised Code and a copy of the contract to be delivered to the county auditor.

(D) Every land installment contract shall conform to the formalities required by law for the execution of deeds and mortgages. The vendor of any land installment contract that contains a metes and bounds legal description shall have that description reviewed by the county engineer. The county engineer shall indicate his approval of the description on the contract.

The Legislative Service Commission presents the text of this section as a composite of the section as amended by multiple acts of the General Assembly. This presentation recognizes the principle stated in R.C. 1.52(B) that amendments are to be harmonized if reasonably capable of simultaneous operation.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 32 cases (13 in the last 5 years), 1984–2026 · leading case: Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021).
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Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). · cites it 64× “1. The Relevant Statutes {¶18} Chapter 5313 of the Ohio Revised Code includes a number of provisions describing land installment contracts, the requirements relating to land contracts, and the procedures associated with disputes regarding land installment contracts.”
Gollihue v. Russo, 789 N.E.2d 1151 (Ohio Ct. App. 2003). · cites it 9× “The trial court erred as a matter of law in ruling that a three page document identified by the parties as a Real Estate Purchase Contract was a land contract pursuant to R.C. § 5313.02, where a[sic] document did not conform to the minimum statutory requirements.”
Shimko v. Marks, 632 N.E.2d 990 (Ohio Ct. App. 1993). · cites it 5× “The court further determined that the receipt dated November 17, 1991, and signed by appellee was “insufficient to comply with the requirements of R.C. § 5313.02.” Finally, the court determined that appellee’s *461 action in cashing the three checks tendered to his counsel was…”
Hamilton v. Barth, 2022 Ohio 3451 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). · cites it 13× “{¶3} On September 18, 2019, defendants moved for summary judgment on Hamilton’s claims, arguing that the purported contract was unenforceable as it failed to meet the minimum requirements for a land installment contract under R.C. 5313.02. Hamilton opposed summary judgment,…”
Ma v. Gomez, 2023 Ohio 524 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023). · cites it 2× “Chapter 5313, including the failure to abide by R.C. 5313.02, leading to the negotiation and execution of the purchase agreement.”
In Re Kratz, 96 B.R. 127 (Bankr. S.D. Ohio 1988). · cites it 4× “02(D) requires that every land installment contract conform to the formalities required by law for the execution of deeds and mortgages, and section 5313.02(C) states that the vendor shall record a copy of the contract within twenty days of its execution.”
Bradford v. B & P Wrecking Co., 872 N.E.2d 331 (Ohio Ct. App. 2007). · cites it 2× “{¶ 26} Relying on R.C. 5313.02(C), appellant argues that appellee was required to record the land installment contracts within 20 days after they were signed by the vendor and vendee.”
Gingrich v. Otter Fork Equestrian Complex, L.L.C., 2024 Ohio 2775 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024). · cites it 3× “23 CA 00086 7 {¶ 27} "THE TRIAL COURT ERRORED IN FINDING THAT THE 2021 DOCUMENT WAS A VALID LAND CONTRACT, BECAUSE THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS WERE NOT FOLLOWED PURSUANT TO R.C. 5313.02(C)." Standard of Review {¶ 28} Civ.”
In Re Johnson, 75 B.R. 927 (Bankr. N.D. Ohio 1987). · cites it 2× “R.C. 5313.02(B). The land contract vendor’s interest consists of two parts, a right to payment of a sum of money and an interest in the land which declines in value with each payment.”
Ohio Bar Liab. Ins. Co. v. CCF Dev., L.L.C., 2018 Ohio 3988 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018). “" R.C. 5313.02(A)(3). The legislature's choice to require land installment contracts to contain "legal descriptions" while only requiring mortgages to contain a "description" can be assumed to have significance.”
Gingerich v. Gingerich, 2025 Ohio 78 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025). · cites it 3× “No one claims that there is a single document which fulfills all of the requirements set forth in R.C. 5313.02 or the statute of frauds. Although there are multiple documents which can be reviewed as all part of one memorandum, they also do not satisfy all of the statutory…”
Simmons v. Landon (In Re Landon), 37 B.R. 568 (Bankr. N.D. Ohio 1984). “Pursuant to the provisions of Ohio Revised Code § 5313.02, the contract contained a statement as to encumbrances against the property to be sold.”
Show all 32 citing cases →
— Ohio Rev. Code § 5313.02(A) — 9 cases
Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “1. The Relevant Statutes {¶18} Chapter 5313 of the Ohio Revised Code includes a number of provisions describing land installment contracts, the requirements relating to land contracts, and the procedures associated with disputes regarding land installment contracts.”
Ma v. Gomez, 2023 Ohio 524 (Ohio Ct. App. 2023). “Chapter 5313, including the failure to abide by R.C. 5313.02, leading to the negotiation and execution of the purchase agreement.”
Hamilton v. Barth, 2022 Ohio 3451 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). “{¶3} On September 18, 2019, defendants moved for summary judgment on Hamilton’s claims, arguing that the purported contract was unenforceable as it failed to meet the minimum requirements for a land installment contract under R.C. 5313.02. Hamilton opposed summary judgment,…”
Elkins v. Colburn, 2019 Ohio 2681 (Ohio Ct. App. 2019).
Gingerich v. Gingerich, 2025 Ohio 78 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025). “No one claims that there is a single document which fulfills all of the requirements set forth in R.C. 5313.02 or the statute of frauds. Although there are multiple documents which can be reviewed as all part of one memorandum, they also do not satisfy all of the statutory…”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 5313.02(A)(1) — 1 case
Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “1. The Relevant Statutes {¶18} Chapter 5313 of the Ohio Revised Code includes a number of provisions describing land installment contracts, the requirements relating to land contracts, and the procedures associated with disputes regarding land installment contracts.”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 5313.02(A)(10) — 1 case
Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “1. The Relevant Statutes {¶18} Chapter 5313 of the Ohio Revised Code includes a number of provisions describing land installment contracts, the requirements relating to land contracts, and the procedures associated with disputes regarding land installment contracts.”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 5313.02(A)(11) — 2 cases
Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “1. The Relevant Statutes {¶18} Chapter 5313 of the Ohio Revised Code includes a number of provisions describing land installment contracts, the requirements relating to land contracts, and the procedures associated with disputes regarding land installment contracts.”
Williams v. Bjork, 753 N.E.2d 995 (2001).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 5313.02(A)(12) — 1 case
Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “1. The Relevant Statutes {¶18} Chapter 5313 of the Ohio Revised Code includes a number of provisions describing land installment contracts, the requirements relating to land contracts, and the procedures associated with disputes regarding land installment contracts.”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 5313.02(A)(13) — 1 case
Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “1. The Relevant Statutes {¶18} Chapter 5313 of the Ohio Revised Code includes a number of provisions describing land installment contracts, the requirements relating to land contracts, and the procedures associated with disputes regarding land installment contracts.”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 5313.02(A)(14) — 1 case
Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “1. The Relevant Statutes {¶18} Chapter 5313 of the Ohio Revised Code includes a number of provisions describing land installment contracts, the requirements relating to land contracts, and the procedures associated with disputes regarding land installment contracts.”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 5313.02(A)(15) — 1 case
Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “1. The Relevant Statutes {¶18} Chapter 5313 of the Ohio Revised Code includes a number of provisions describing land installment contracts, the requirements relating to land contracts, and the procedures associated with disputes regarding land installment contracts.”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 5313.02(A)(16) — 1 case
Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “1. The Relevant Statutes {¶18} Chapter 5313 of the Ohio Revised Code includes a number of provisions describing land installment contracts, the requirements relating to land contracts, and the procedures associated with disputes regarding land installment contracts.”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 5313.02(A)(2) — 2 cases
Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “1. The Relevant Statutes {¶18} Chapter 5313 of the Ohio Revised Code includes a number of provisions describing land installment contracts, the requirements relating to land contracts, and the procedures associated with disputes regarding land installment contracts.”
Grexa v. Hollenbaugh, 2014 Ohio 4746 (Ohio Ct. App. 2014).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 5313.02(A)(3) — 3 cases
Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “1. The Relevant Statutes {¶18} Chapter 5313 of the Ohio Revised Code includes a number of provisions describing land installment contracts, the requirements relating to land contracts, and the procedures associated with disputes regarding land installment contracts.”
Ohio Bar Liab. Ins. Co. v. CCF Dev., L.L.C., 2018 Ohio 3988 (Ohio Ct. App. 2018). “" R.C. 5313.02(A)(3). The legislature's choice to require land installment contracts to contain "legal descriptions" while only requiring mortgages to contain a "description" can be assumed to have significance.”
Est. of Ortiz v. Cicconetti, 2024 Ohio 1958 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 5313.02(A)(4) — 1 case
Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “1. The Relevant Statutes {¶18} Chapter 5313 of the Ohio Revised Code includes a number of provisions describing land installment contracts, the requirements relating to land contracts, and the procedures associated with disputes regarding land installment contracts.”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 5313.02(A)(5) — 1 case
Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “1. The Relevant Statutes {¶18} Chapter 5313 of the Ohio Revised Code includes a number of provisions describing land installment contracts, the requirements relating to land contracts, and the procedures associated with disputes regarding land installment contracts.”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 5313.02(A)(6) — 1 case
Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “1. The Relevant Statutes {¶18} Chapter 5313 of the Ohio Revised Code includes a number of provisions describing land installment contracts, the requirements relating to land contracts, and the procedures associated with disputes regarding land installment contracts.”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 5313.02(A)(7) — 1 case
Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “1. The Relevant Statutes {¶18} Chapter 5313 of the Ohio Revised Code includes a number of provisions describing land installment contracts, the requirements relating to land contracts, and the procedures associated with disputes regarding land installment contracts.”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 5313.02(A)(8) — 1 case
Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “1. The Relevant Statutes {¶18} Chapter 5313 of the Ohio Revised Code includes a number of provisions describing land installment contracts, the requirements relating to land contracts, and the procedures associated with disputes regarding land installment contracts.”
— Ohio Rev. Code § 5313.02(B) — 3 cases
In Re Johnson, 75 B.R. 927 (Bankr. N.D. Ohio 1987). “R.C. 5313.02(B). The land contract vendor’s interest consists of two parts, a right to payment of a sum of money and an interest in the land which declines in value with each payment.”
Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “1. The Relevant Statutes {¶18} Chapter 5313 of the Ohio Revised Code includes a number of provisions describing land installment contracts, the requirements relating to land contracts, and the procedures associated with disputes regarding land installment contracts.”
Toledo Trust Co. v. Cole, 500 N.E.2d 920 (Ohio Ct. App. 1986).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 5313.02(C) — 9 cases
Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “1. The Relevant Statutes {¶18} Chapter 5313 of the Ohio Revised Code includes a number of provisions describing land installment contracts, the requirements relating to land contracts, and the procedures associated with disputes regarding land installment contracts.”
Bradford v. B & P Wrecking Co., 872 N.E.2d 331 (Ohio Ct. App. 2007). “{¶ 26} Relying on R.C. 5313.02(C), appellant argues that appellee was required to record the land installment contracts within 20 days after they were signed by the vendor and vendee.”
Gingrich v. Otter Fork Equestrian Complex, L.L.C., 2024 Ohio 2775 (Ohio Ct. App. 2024). “23 CA 00086 7 {¶ 27} "THE TRIAL COURT ERRORED IN FINDING THAT THE 2021 DOCUMENT WAS A VALID LAND CONTRACT, BECAUSE THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS WERE NOT FOLLOWED PURSUANT TO R.C. 5313.02(C)." Standard of Review {¶ 28} Civ.”
In Re Kratz, 96 B.R. 127 (Bankr. S.D. Ohio 1988). “02(D) requires that every land installment contract conform to the formalities required by law for the execution of deeds and mortgages, and section 5313.02(C) states that the vendor shall record a copy of the contract within twenty days of its execution.”
J.I.L. One, L.L.C. v. Kemper, 2014 Ohio 4932 (Ohio Ct. App. 2014).
— Ohio Rev. Code § 5313.02(D) — 6 cases
Lovejoy v. Diel, 2021 Ohio 1124 (Ohio Ct. App. 2021). “1. The Relevant Statutes {¶18} Chapter 5313 of the Ohio Revised Code includes a number of provisions describing land installment contracts, the requirements relating to land contracts, and the procedures associated with disputes regarding land installment contracts.”
In Re Kratz, 96 B.R. 127 (Bankr. S.D. Ohio 1988). “02(D) requires that every land installment contract conform to the formalities required by law for the execution of deeds and mortgages, and section 5313.02(C) states that the vendor shall record a copy of the contract within twenty days of its execution.”
In Re Raby, 139 B.R. 833 (Bankr. N.D. Ohio 1991).
Hamilton v. Barth, 2022 Ohio 3451 (Ohio Ct. App. 2022). “{¶3} On September 18, 2019, defendants moved for summary judgment on Hamilton’s claims, arguing that the purported contract was unenforceable as it failed to meet the minimum requirements for a land installment contract under R.C. 5313.02. Hamilton opposed summary judgment,…”
Gingerich v. Gingerich, 2025 Ohio 78 (Ohio Ct. App. 2025). “No one claims that there is a single document which fulfills all of the requirements set forth in R.C. 5313.02 or the statute of frauds. Although there are multiple documents which can be reviewed as all part of one memorandum, they also do not satisfy all of the statutory…”
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