The law in plain English
Return deadline
Under Ohio Rev. Code Section 5321.16, the deposit response usually has to be sent within 30 days of the move-out timeline described by the state rule.
Required notice
Ohio generally requires the deposit balance and a written itemization within 30 days after termination and delivery of possession.
This dispute type
Once the Ohio deadline passes, the dispute stops being only about the deductions and becomes a deadline-compliance problem too. A landlord may still argue damage existed, but Ohio Rev. Code § 5321.16 sets the clock for returning the balance and explaining any amount withheld.
Penalty leverage
If the withholding was wrongful or in bad faith, the exposure allowed under the statute is: You can recover the amount wrongfully withheld plus an equal amount in damages (effectively 2x), plus reasonable attorney's fees