Court operations continue to be affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The following are the current, and subject to change, status of court operations for landlords: Hamilton County, Ohio: In person court continues. The court is setting hearings on the CDC declaration if a tenant presents such in court. The court is granting evictions in nonpayment…
Read MoreCDC Moratorium Extended
CDC Moratorium Extended The United States’ Congress’s latest stimulus package (which President Trump finally signed) extends the CDC Moratorium by one month (through January 2021). Congress also included $25 billion in renters assistance. The $25 billion will be sent to states to disperse as they see fit. There is likely to be a significant administrative…
Read MoreService Animals and Emotional Support Animals
All landlords with any restrictive pet policy will deal with existing and emerging issues surrounding service and emotional support animals. Handling these issues correctly is important because landlord actions in this arena are subject to regulation under the: Americans with Disabilities Act, the Fair Housing Act, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and state laws….
Read MoreJury Trial Evictions in Hamilton County, Ohio and How to Avoid Them
Ohio Revised Code section 1923.10 gives a residential tenant a right to demand a jury trial in an eviction case. Unfortunately, Ohio does not allow a landlord to include a provision in the lease that waives a tenant’s right to a jury trial. So a tenant, if aware, has a powerful tool in the event…
Read MoreLiquor License Transfer – The Negotiation Stage
In most places in Ohio, a new liquor license from the State is not available. When a new bar or restaurant wants to open, but they are unable to obtain a new license from the State, generally their best option is to purchase a liquor license and transfer it to their business. There are a…
Read MoreLiquor Licenses in Ohio
The Ohio Department of Liquor Control issues a large number of liquor licenses and it can be difficult to select which one is right for your small business. Ohio law allows for dozens of licenses with wildly varying price points. There are “off-premise” or “carry out” licenses that allow customers to purchase beer or wine…
Read MoreOhio Landlord Alert
Ohio Landlord Trends for 2017: Jury Trials – Tenants are requesting jury trials in eviction cases at a rapid rate. A jury trial can slow the eviction process for a landlord from about 1 month to more than 6 months. This means lost money and time. You should immediately contact an attorney if a tenant…
Read MoreWhat do I do if I get sued in Ohio?
If you are served with a lawsuit the best thing you can do is immediately contact an attorney. There are many decisions that must be made in defending a lawsuit. What date do I have to file answer? Can I counterclaim? What does my pleading need to look like? Where do I send the answer?…
Read MoreWhat Can You Include in Your Residential Lease?
Generally, a landlord can include any term they want in a lease with a tenant. There are a few restrictions on this freedom to contract with your tenant. ORC 5321.06 states that a landlord and a tenant may include in a rental agreement any terms and conditions, including any term relating to rent, the duration…
Read MoreAvoid Security Deposit Problems
Landlords in Ohio can avoid security deposit problems in two important ways. First, when a lease is terminated with a tenant, follow the mandates found in ORC 5321.16. Specifically, any deduction from the security deposit shall be itemized and identified by the landlord in a written notice delivered to the tenant together with the amount…
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