New owners - who refunds security deposit

[ohiolandlord]

The apartment complex that I moved from changed managers within the last two months of my residence. The new company accepted my rent for those last two months. Are they obligated to give me the security deposit? Or do I collect from the previous owners?

[ohiolandlord]

Generally, the security deposit changes hands from the old landlord to the new landlord at the closing. To be safe, I would send written notice of your forwarding address to both landlords. They will probably point the finger at each other as to who has the security deposit. If they still don't pay, consider suing them both in small claims court.

Other states besides Ohio have laws that indicate that the old owner is still responsible until he gives written notice to the tenant that the security deposit has been transferred to the new owner. Maybe Ohio should revise its law.