(A) If a motion for an order of possession has been filed pursuant to section 2737.03 of the Revised Code, the court may issue an order of possession without conducting a hearing if it finds all of the following:

(1) The notice, motion, and affidavit have been served on the respondent as required by section 2737.05 of the Revised Code;

(2) The respondent has not requested a hearing within the prescribed time pursuant to section 2737.04 of the Revised Code, and a continuance of the scheduled hearing has not been granted pursuant to division (B) of this section;

(3) The respondent has not filed a bond on or before the fifth business day after he received the notice;

(4) The court finds, on the basis of the affidavit, that there is probable cause to support the motion.

(B) If the respondent does not request a hearing on the motion within the prescribed time pursuant to section 2737.04 of the Revised Code, the court nevertheless may grant a continuance of the scheduled hearing if the respondent, prior to the time at which the hearing was scheduled, as indicated on the notice served on the respondent under section 2737.04 of the Revised Code or the time of issuance of an order of possession, whichever is earlier, establishes a reasonable justification for his failure to request the hearing within the prescribed time. If the court grants such a continuance of the hearing, it shall cause the matter to be set for hearing as soon as practicable thereafter, but in no event shall the continued hearing be set for a time that is more than five business days after the date on which the original hearing was scheduled unless the movant consents to the setting of a hearing at a later time. The continued hearing shall be conducted in accordance with section 2737.07 of the Revised Code.

(C) If the court grants a continuance of the scheduled hearing pursuant to division (B) of this section, the court shall not issue an order of possession without a hearing pursuant to division (A) of this section unless the respondent subsequently delivers written notice to the contrary to the court.

Effective Date: 03-13-1986 .