Skip to content
×
Try PRO Free Today!
BiggerPockets Pro offers you a comprehensive suite of tools and resources
Market and Deal Finder Tools
Deal Analysis Calculators
Property Management Software
Exclusive discounts to Home Depot, RentRedi, and more
$0
7 days free
$828/yr or $69/mo when billed monthly.
$390/yr or $32.5/mo when billed annually.
7 days free. Cancel anytime.
Already a Pro Member? Sign in here

Join Over 3 Million Real Estate Investors

Create a free BiggerPockets account to comment, participate, and connect with over 3 million real estate investors.
Use your real name
By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions.
The community here is like my own little personal real estate army that I can depend upon to help me through ANY problems I come across.
Columbus Real Estate Forum
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated almost 4 years ago on . Most recent reply

Account Closed
  • Investor
  • Columbus, OH
1,771
Votes |
861
Posts

Columbus passes 3 new LL ordinances: sec 8, deposits, reciepts

Account Closed
  • Investor
  • Columbus, OH
Posted

The "Housing for All" legislative package containing 3 ordinances affecting rental housing providers was passed by city council: 

  • Ordinance 0494-2021:  Landlords cannot discriminate on housing vouchers, the rent voucher or subsidy must be included in the calculation of income. 
  • Ordinance 0495-2021:  Operators with 5 or more units are required to allow security deposits to be made in monthly installments over up to 6 months
  • Ordinance 0496-2021: Landlords are required to give written receipts for all security deposits and rent payments

Thus, no more "no section 8" or "not section 8 approved" listings in your rental ad. 

A landlord found guilty of refusing to rent based on source of income would be guilty of a first-degree misdemeanor, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and a $1,000 fine. 

As for the security deposits, the legislative text explains that operators are required to provide written notice of security deposit payment alternatives, including a 3 month installment or a 6 month installment. (I am not sure why there are two alternatives) A landlord found guilty of violating this is a misdemeanor of the 4th degree.

The written receipt requirement covers security deposits and rental payments, and the reciept must be provided within 4 business days if otherwise not automatically generated. If payments are through an online portal or service, the tenant has to be able to obtain a written reciept through that service.  (I assume a screenshot or printout of a transaction history page would count?) . A violation of this ordinance would also be a 4th degree misdemeanor. 

The Columbus Urban League will investigate complaints regarding violations of the new policies.

I don't have more information on how exactly these are to be interpreted, and if services such as Rhino count for the installment ordinance. 

Articles:

https://www.dispatch.com/story...

https://abc6onyourside.com/new...

Ordinances: (click "Text" tab and then "click here for full text" at the bottom.

0494: https://columbus.legistar.com/...

0495: https://columbus.legistar.com/...

0496: https://columbus.legistar.com/...

    Most Popular Reply

    User Stats

    190
    Posts
    224
    Votes
    Allen Tracy
    • Chatsworth, CA
    224
    Votes |
    190
    Posts
    Allen Tracy
    • Chatsworth, CA
    Replied

    Thanks for the update, I remember reading about these a few months back, didn't know they had passed.

    Loading replies...