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Ohio Real Estate Law Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: If it is decided by our HOA members our unincorporate association needs to be an incorporated association, does it take

all the members to agree or is it just a majority that have to agree to become incorporated. Are the members of an unincorporate HOA legally obligated to pay annual dues? We are having issues with some members not paying their dues this year they seem to be misunderstanding their obligation to our... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Feb 27, 2023

The HOA covenants recorded in the county recorder's office require owners to pay their annual assessment. It does not matter whether the association is incorporated or not. The association can place liens on the home of any owner who does not pay. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: Our developer never created bylaw(code of regulations) with our Declaration of Restrictions for our HOA dating back to

2003. We are a self managed HOA having 19 homes and for 19 years maintained the common area, provided yearly financial reports, filed our taxes, collected all dues every year, paid all expenses, kept yearly due amounts the same for over 5 years, communicated to homeowners on issues, even filed a... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Feb 24, 2023

The HOA should have been incorporated as a non-profit corporation with the Ohio Secretary of State to implement the HOA covenants recorded in the real estate records. Without that, the HOA has been operating as an "unincorporated nonprofit association," which still has legal status as a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Environmental and Land Use & Zoning for Ohio on
Q: Question about property damage. My neighbor has a sump pump that's made a pond/swamp that is affecting my yard and drive

My neighbor has a sump pump that drains out into their yard but borders mine. This has created a pond/swamp in the area and is quite large. This swamp makes it impossible to use part of my yard or even trim it. Also my driveway borders up against this area and has cracking and sinking in towards... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Feb 21, 2023

Damage from normal water runoff does not give a claim. But if water is redirected or collected to send more runoff, then there can be a claim. Depending on the source of water into the sump, the slope of the land, and where the neighbor directed his sump discharge, you might have a claim for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: Is the HOA able to increase fees by 10% without membership vote? The fees would have been increased 20% in 2 years.

Fees have not seen an increase since 2017 and in the last 2 years, we will have had a 20% increase based on "budgetary needs". Is it required to have a membership vote to proceed?

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Feb 15, 2023

The HOA Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions specifies the process for the HOA to change the amount of the assessment and if a vote is required. Review the HOA Declaration for the requirements and talk to the HOA management company or the HOA board members.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: In Ohio how does a named grantee of real property reject or disclaim the original gift of said property ab initio?

The grantee had no knowledge that an inter vivos gift (by quit claim deed) was made and recorded by his sibling to him.

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Feb 8, 2023

If there is no environmental problem, title problem, lien, or other issue attached to the property and also possibly affecting the owner, the owner could just quit claim it back. But if the person whose name is now on record as owner wants that totally removed, it would require a Quiet Title... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: Does my HOA still exist? Our HOA never filed Notice of Existence with Ohio Secretary of State.

Our HOA filed the Initial Articles of Incorporation with the Ohio Secretary of State but, I recently found out the Articles were canceled in 2010 as a Notice of Continued Existence was never filed. From what I gather, this is required to be filed every 5 years. Since 2010, I have paid my HOA dues.... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Feb 8, 2023

The HOA still exists as an Ohio non-profit corporation unless it was cancelled by the Ohio Secretary of State. Failing to file the Notice of Continued Existence does not officially terminate it, and does not stop the obligation of homeowners to pay HOA assessments and dues. And even if cancelled,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Energy, Oil and Gas for Ohio on
Q: Am I legally required to pay back previous owner for paying the gas bill after I bought the house?

I purchased the home in 6/2022. I wasn’t aware that the gas and electric were separate companies until 9/2022 when the previous owner reached out and wanted reimbursed for paying the gas bill from 6/2022-9/2022. She paid it for three months before saying anything. Do I legally have to pay her back?

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Feb 2, 2023

The home sale contract that buyer and seller sign, typically specifies that seller must pay for utilities through the date of the closing of the sale, and afterward the buyer is responsible. You would have to pay only if she sues you, the court finds you liable, and enters a judgment against you... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: Co borrower on home loan application and On bank note but not mortgage or title. Wife never had job and I paid everythin

J

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Jan 17, 2023

If you are getting a divorce, the house is marital property no matter whose names are on the deed, loan, or mortgage.

Your spouse has an interest in the home, even if she paid nothing, and that interest will be divided in the divorce. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local attorney...
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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: I am filing a transfer on death affidavit for my mothers property in Ohio.

My father and mother purchased land in 1963 to build their home and the deed transferred to my mother in 2002 at my fathers death. There is a certificate of transfer on file but there is no volume and page number which the form requires. Can I reference the deed from 1963 that has a volume and page... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Jan 17, 2023

If the certificate of transfer was recorded in the county recorder's office, the book/page recording reference will be in their on-line records or in their records. If it was not recorded, it must be recorded now. To be sure your TOD affidavit will be valid, use the Find a Lawyer tab to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: How can I get someone off the deed?

My ex-fiancée put zero money into purchasing the home. I sold my house and my credit got this currently. She has only paid half mortgage. Nothing else. No house bills, nothing. I only put her on the deed because we were going to marry. Turns out she used me to leave her parents house and had no... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Jan 6, 2023

Once a person is added to the deed to a home, they have to agree to any transfer to remove their name. Without a written agreement with her in which she agreed to pay her share, you can't force her to pay anything on the mortgage or any other bills. You can offer her some amount of money to... View More

2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Probate and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: OH TOD deed to one person, then a new TOD deed to another but that one was revoked. Is the first one still valid?

My great aunt signed a TOD deed on her home and my mother was the beneficiary. Later my great aunt signed another TOD deed with her neighbor as beneficiary, but then revoked the TOD deed to the neighbor several years later. Is the one to my mother still valid if it was never revoked? What if a... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Dec 22, 2022

It depends on how each was worded and if they were properly executed and recorded. They would have to be reviewed by an attorney to give an accurate answer. A properly worded, executed, and recorded TOD affidavit would take precedence over a different designation in a will. Use the Find a Lawyer... View More

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2 Answers | Asked in Estate Planning, Probate and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: OH TOD deed to one person, then a new TOD deed to another but that one was revoked. Is the first one still valid?

My great aunt signed a TOD deed on her home and my mother was the beneficiary. Later my great aunt signed another TOD deed with her neighbor as beneficiary, but then revoked the TOD deed to the neighbor several years later. Is the one to my mother still valid if it was never revoked? What if a... View More

Moshe Toron
Moshe Toron
answered on Dec 22, 2022

As a general rule, a new TOD designation affidavit revokes the old TOD designation affidavit , regardless of whether it says so on the new TOD designation affidavit or not.

Therefore, it is very possible that the property will go to the person named in the will.

Having said that,...
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1 Answer | Asked in Business Formation, Business Law and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: Does transfering property into an established Partnership-LLC affect ownership levels, like initial capital contribution

If I were to be in a partnership LLC, and my partner wants to transfer a property into the company, would that automatically affect his amount of ownership like an initial capital contribution would? Or is there a choice to not give over ownership for the contribution to the company

The... View More

Nicholas P. Weiss
Nicholas P. Weiss pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
answered on Dec 22, 2022

This first question is "what does your operating agreement say about it?" If you don't have one, then the question becomes whether this is being transferred for value received, transferred without value, and why the transfer is being made.

If it is being made for value from...
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2 Answers | Asked in Contracts, Estate Planning, Real Estate Law and Probate for Ohio on
Q: My grandmother gave her house to her first born grandchild without a will just word of mouth. My father was suppose to

Inherit some land but has passed away. The land would have gone to my mother who also passed away. My cousin wants my siblings and myself to sign a deed gift receipt so she can own the land free and clear (she said a surveyor determined the land my father would have received and her house have been... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Nov 30, 2022

If grandmother, father and mother all have passed away, and their estates were not submitted to the probate court in the county in which each lived, and because they owned real estate, then that is a big mess that will require an attorney to help sort it all out by opening the estate of each with... View More

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1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Ohio on
Q: We live in an OH duplex that is being sold. We have no lease. After year one they go M2M. Do we have any rights to stay?

The other tennant is new and has a lease until July of 2023. If the new owner wants to live in one half are we the one's that will be forced out? Our 13 year old is in special classes in this school district as well as counseling. It took a whole year to set up these badly needed services.... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Nov 22, 2022

Without a written lease, a tenant is in a risky position. A month-to-month tenancy can be terminated by either tenant or landlord at the end of any rental period (typically the end of the month) by giving at least 30 days notice in writing to the other. If landlord gives notice, and tenant does... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law, Consumer Law and Contracts for Ohio on
Q: I sold a mobile home to a guy, He paid me cash for it. We agreed it had to be moved off the property it is sitting on

The buyer got a permit and hired a company to move it.

The company came and took the wrong trailer. They brought it back.

Then they called the buyer and told him that the trailer he bought was unsafe to move.

The trailer I sold to buyer is in better shape than the trailer... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Nov 18, 2022

He would have to sue you for breach of contract or on some other basis such as fraud, and the judge would determine if you have to return the money. If there is no written contract or anything else in writing to confirm what was agreed between you both, that would make the court case more... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: I have a mental health illness and I want to break my lease less than 24 hours of moving in. Am I able to do so?

I took the keys on Friday November 11th around 3:30 pm and by Saturday the 12th at 11:00 am I told the property manager I wanted out of my lease. I signed a 12 month lease, and the place gives me severe anxiety to be in the unit, I haven’t moved all my belongings in yet, and I have 2 cats... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Nov 15, 2022

A tenant can try to negotiate a lease termination with the landlord, but the landlord doesn't have to agree. The tenant wouldn't have a good basis for termination, unless a court finds tenant was not mentally competent to sign a lease. A tenant is not required to move in, but if tenant... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Land Use & Zoning and Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: In Ohio, is a Property Owners Association allowed to revoke owners gate pass access for past due annual fees?

1. No notice given about late dues and or gate access being revoked. 2. There are two gates one is automatic which can only be opened by a gate access card or by a key fob whether you're entering or leaving as well. The other gate is chained and locked shut with no keys given to property... View More

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Nov 14, 2022

It is very unlikely that a judge would allow that. But you might need a judge to put that in writing. Use the Find a Lawyer tab to retain a local real estate attorney who can review the homeowner documents, contact the board on your behalf to demand access, and file in court if necessary.

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: I live in Ohio. My husband and I are both on the deed. He wants to allow someone to hunt and I don't. How does this work

Do both owners need to agree or just one? My husband says he is going to give the person written permission. Can I tell the person to leave?

Joseph Jaap
Joseph Jaap
answered on Oct 25, 2022

If you tell the person to leave, and they don't, the local police are not likely to do anything if your spouse says it is ok.

Each co-owner can use the property how they choose. If co-owners can't agree, then they can go to court, and a judge will decide. If unmarried co-owners...
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2 Answers | Asked in Real Estate Law for Ohio on
Q: My house is contingent on me finding a house. We have made an offer on a house and they accepted.

But then my realtor told me that if the new home does not appraise for what the offer was

I still have to go through with the sell of my home. That leaves us without a home. Is this so

That I have to go through with the sell.

Todd B. Kotler
Todd B. Kotler
answered on Apr 18, 2024

Well it sounds like this might be the case, there's really no substitute by for investing in the time of an attorney to actually review the language of the agreement about what you're talking. It's the contract for sale of the home and your agreement with the realtor that's... View More

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