Love County Oklahoma Landlord-Tenant Law: Guide for Marietta, Thackerville & Red River Border Area Rental Property Owners
Love County is Oklahoma’s southernmost county along the I-35 corridor, hugging the Red River and the Texas state line in the state’s south-central region. Named for Overton Love — a prominent Chickasaw farmer, entrepreneur, and politician who played a significant role in the economic development of the Indian Territory — the county was created at statehood in 1907 from former Chickasaw Nation lands. The county seat of Marietta (~2,600) sits directly on I-35, the major north-south artery connecting Oklahoma City with Dallas and Fort Worth, making it a natural commercial node for travelers, truckers, and commuters.
Thackerville, in Love County’s southern corner near the Texas border, is home to WinStar World Casino and Resort — operated by the Chickasaw Nation and routinely described as one of the world’s largest casino complexes by gaming floor square footage. WinStar is the dominant economic force in Love County, employing thousands and creating substantial demand for worker housing in both Thackerville and Marietta. With a 2020 census population of approximately 10,146, Love County’s resident population understates the economic scale brought by WinStar — the casino draws millions of visitors annually from the Dallas-Fort Worth metro, just 90 miles south.
The ORLTA in Love County
All residential rental relationships in Love County are governed by the Oklahoma Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (ORLTA), codified at Oklahoma Statutes Title 41. No local ordinances modify the ORLTA in Love County. There is no rental licensing requirement and no rent control. For nonpayment, a five-day pay-or-quit notice (rent only — no late fees) is required before filing a FED. For other lease violations, a fifteen-day notice to cure or quit is required. Month-to-month tenancies require thirty days’ written notice. Non-emergency entry requires twenty-four hours’ advance notice. Security deposits have no cap but must be held in an FDIC-insured Oklahoma institution, with the 45-day return clock beginning only after termination, possession delivery, and a written tenant demand. Self-help eviction is prohibited statewide.
Eviction Procedure at the 20th Judicial District Court
FED actions in Love County are filed at the Love County Courthouse, 405 W. Main St., Marietta, OK 73448, phone (580) 276-2235, open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. Love County is part of Oklahoma’s 20th Judicial District, which also serves Carter (Ardmore), Johnston (Tishomingo), Marshall (Madill), and Murray (Sulphur) Counties. After the applicable notice period expires, the landlord files the FED petition, pays the filing fee, and is assigned a hearing date. Oklahoma’s prevailing party attorney fee provision makes procedural accuracy essential throughout.
This guide is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed Oklahoma attorney or contact the Love County District Court at (580) 276-2235 for guidance specific to your situation. Last updated: April 2026.
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