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Ohio Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: What can I do with the property?

We gave 90 days after close until we received possession of an outbuilding due to the amount of stuff that was in the outbuilding. The contract states that the seller will be responsible for any costs to remove items from the property. What can I legally do with these items as nothing has been... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Jan 8, 2021

To be safe, you might have to file an eviction action to be able to dispose of the property. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local real estate attorney to review the situation and advise you or contact the seller on your behalf.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: How much will it cost to use a lawyer, instead of a real estate agent, to buy a home?

I don't want the services of a real estate agent. I do want the peace of mind that everything is done correctly insofar as the sale goes, disclosures by the seller, etc.

Bruce Martin Broyles
Bruce Martin Broyles
answered on Dec 31, 2020

If you used a realtor it would cost at least 3% of the price of the home. A $100,000 would cost $3,000. A lawyer would be able to review the contracts and disclosures for less than the $3,000. However, a real estate agent is also there to make sure you are taking all the necessary steps to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: Who is responsible for organizing HOA board and meetings when it hasn't been done in years?

There was a board, but when the president moved out, prior to us moving in, no one seems to be organizing anything. We have a property manager who collects dues and takes care of general maintenance, but that's it. There are things that still need to be addressed like, repairing leaks in the... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Dec 29, 2020

It is up to all the owners to operate and manage their own HOA. Ohio law provides the framework at this link: http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/5312 The declaration for a particular HOA provides additional specific rules for that HOA. If the board has ceased to function, then review the HOA declaration... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Civil Litigation for Ohio on
Q: my roommate and I are both on the lease. Can I stop some of his friends from coming to the house? What is the process

What would be the process to evict him? His ex is causing issues. They are both smoking inside the house after being asked multiple times to stop. This is a non-smoking lease.

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Dec 28, 2020

Some courts only allow landlord to file an eviction. If roommate is violating a term of the lease, talk to the landlord about it.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: How can i get my electric repaired?

Hi, I bought a house in October of 2019. In our contract it states that before we buy the house the nob and tube must be removed by a licensed electrician. Our power upstairs went out and we found that he didn't uphold his end of the contract he splice the nob and tube with new wiring. Do we... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Dec 28, 2020

Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local real estate attorney who can review all the facts and advise you of your options for a fraud or breach of contract claim.

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: Expired lease, no renewal

Our lease has been up since May 31, 2020. It says they will no longer automatically renew leases They never contacted us if we wanted to stay or not. But they have continued to cash our checks no problem . With the proper 30 days notice can we move out since we never signed a renewal?

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Dec 8, 2020

Talk to the landlord to confirm that they agree, and when the lease will terminate when you give notice.

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: Property line and fence installation (Ohio)

Install of 4 ft fence around my prop. The subdivision in which I live has an HOA. All requests of this type need HOA approval. Based on the HOA gdlns, there is to be a 15-inch (at least) variance, in this case, at the back of the property (for utilities, emergency access, etc). (I believe city... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Nov 30, 2020

City zoning always has priority over HOA rules. It is unlikely that the existing fence will be required to move. A boundary survey might be required to establish and mark the boundaries and required setbacks. Talk to both the city and the HOA management company about the required setbacks and... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning, Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: We own the house and the land that house directly sits on. My aunts bf owns the property. Can he "evict" us off property

We both the house from his brother and have a title to the house. The house came with the land that house directly sits on. He's constantly saying that if we don't pay him $X amount each month he will call the sherriff and have us removed. We pay our own property taxes as it is. His mom... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Nov 30, 2020

You'll have to retain a local real estate attorney to review all the relevant real estate records to determine who has what specific rights to the house, land, any easements, etc. Use the Find a Lawyer tab.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: My father refused to do a will & put myself and 3 siblings on the deed. Do we all have to agree to sell after his death?

Fourth sibling lives in house and won’t consider selling even though she has no income to pay even the basic bills.

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Nov 23, 2020

Yes, all co-owner of the house must agree to sell, along with the spouses of any of the co-owners who are married. If they all can't agree, then if a co-owner wants to sell, that person must file a partition action asking a court to order the property to be sold and the sale proceeds divided... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: My neighbor has a right away on my property. If they developed their land can they build it into a roadway?

It’s a shortcut to that part of their property. They can access it from their property but they’d have to go the long way around.

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Nov 23, 2020

An attorney would have to review the real estate records to determine what documents give your neighbor the right of way, the purpose, extent and location of that right of way, etc. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local real estate attorney to review the situation and the real estate... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: Can I back out of estate contract?

Oct 29th: I entered a real-estate contract to purchase a house. the contract says to close on or before Nov 30th. (email)

Nov 16th: I did let my agent know that I'll be out of the town on Nov 25th for 7 days, and will try to close sooner (texting)

Nov 18th: I was cleared to... View More

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Nov 23, 2020

If the seller can't close before Nov. 30th, then that is a breach of contract and you can terminate. They will likely ask you to sign an extension, but you aren't obligated to do so.

If the seller is able to close by then, you can still terminate the contract if you want. This...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: Bought my house from a friend and they sold items in the garage to another person

I bought my house as part of an estate and the sellers sold a bunch of stuff that was in the garage to another person. He has removed some of the stuff (things worth money) but there's still a lot of stuff he hasn't moved and I would like to be able to use the garage I paid for. Everytime... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Nov 18, 2020

You could send him written notice which gives confirmation of receipt, like FedEx, and specify a deadline for him to remove it or you will discard it. But then he might sue you if you do. To be safe, you can file an eviction action. Notify him that's what you will do, then check your local... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: I received papers that my landlord has lost the home that I rent to foreclosurexpired expired Jan 2020. What to do?

my lease expired in Jan 2020 and the house is for sale. But according to the paperwork from the courts, it will go to sheriff's sale. Do I need to move? Can I be evicted? Should I still pay rent to the landlady?

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Nov 16, 2020

If sold at sheriff's sale, you'll have to talk to the new owner about staying. But the owner can ask you to leave, and evict you if you don't, although some tenants might be protected from eviction because of the limits on evicting some tenants because of the virus.

2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: I want to leave my house to my wife when I pass. What is the appropriate way to do this. She is not on the mortgage.

I have children outside of our marriage and just want to make sure my wife retains our home.

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Nov 13, 2020

There are several things to consider in determining whether that is the best thing to do, and if so, how to do it. There are many other considerations. It depends on your financial situation, health, children and family issues, etc. If not done properly, it can affect Medicaid eligibility, cost... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Estate Planning, Family Law, Real Estate Law and Elder Law for Ohio on
Q: My Dad is 89 years old and for the last 3 or 4 years he has been giving my brothers and mine Inheritances away to his

My Dad is 89 years old and for the last 3 or 4 years he has been giving my brothers and mine Inheritances away to his girlfriends kids, how can we stop this? My Dad telling me that we will not get anything or only get what he owe on. What can be done? My Dad lives in Ohio.

Aaron Epling
Aaron Epling
answered on Nov 10, 2020

If he is incompetent, then you can apply to be his guardian and take control over his finances. You could also notify his bank that you believe he's incompetent or under undue influence. If he's competent and not under undue influence, then your options are very limited.

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: My parents n siblings r all passed n the house is still n my dad's name. Can I sell it or what do I need to do
C. Lawrence Huddleston III
C. Lawrence Huddleston III
answered on Nov 4, 2020

You do not own it so you cannot sell it. In order to own it, someone must open a probate estate ... but whether you own some of it or all of it will depend on the language of the Will. And if there is no will and your siblings had children, some of the ownership will pass to them.

You...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: Leant $35,000 to a man to purchase home, he has sold it and refuses to pay me back.

My daughter's fiancé borrowed $35,000 to purchase home that we all lived in, engagement called off we moved out, he sold home and refuses to pay me back. What legal steps do I take to get my money back? Thank you. Patricia

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Nov 4, 2020

If you consulted an attorney when you lent the money, the attorney could have prepared a loan agreement for him to sign, and secured it with a mortgage on the house. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local attorney to review all the facts and advise you whether you have any hope of recovering... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: How to remove a tenant with no lease.

My mom has been renting a home to someone for 8 years. They have no lease agreement and was asked to move over 30 days ago and she still has the text message showing she gave them 30 to vacate. They haven’t paid last months rent either. so the house could be closed on. But are refusing to move.... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Nov 4, 2020

Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local real estate attorney who handles residential evictions. That will get them out.

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: I am part of an HOA that is not keeping up on an agreement related to drainage of common areas. How can I force action?

A section of my HOA's Declaration of Covenants, Conditions, Restrictions and Easements clearly states that they are responsible for storm water drainage in common areas of the neighborhood: "It shall be the obligation of the Association to properly maintain, repair, operate and control... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Nov 2, 2020

Talk to other board members and persuade a majority to act. Or find other homeowners who want action taken with you and are willing to serve on the HOA board, and try to get a majority of new board members elected to take that action. Otherwise, use the Find a Lawyer tab and retain a local real... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Environmental and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: My neighbors yard is a mess and damaging to the environment can I make them clean it up?

My neighbor has tons of junk cars through out their yard. Trash every where kids with no running water and the dump stuff into the near by creek. If I can get them into legal trouble who should I contact?

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Oct 29, 2020

Neighbor problems are difficult to resolve, and can escalate and become very unpleasant if neighbors are reported. Talk to your local building and zoning office first and ask if they have any ability to do anything - without giving your name or address. There could tell you there is not e much... View More

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