Cleveland Rental Registrations - A Guide to the Nightmare

Cleveland Rental Registrations - A Guide to the Nightmare

Nathan FisherBusiness Member
Property Manager · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2020 · 305 posts · 261 votes

As I go through the trainwreck of the new Cleveland Rental Registration Process, I wanted to help everyone else out and create a guide. It is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be accurate. I'll update it as I learn more.

You may be thinking, "I already registered for my rental this year." I did too. But Cleveland had all their data destroyed in a cyber attack.  You have to do it again. A few properties are still registered, you can check them here: https://aca-prod.accela.com/COC/Default.aspx

If you do not have a rental registration, you cannot evict, and eventually they're going to start throwing out fines.

To get a rental registration in Cleveland Proper you will need the following:  - links attached

1. A certificate of Good Standing with the State of Ohio - LLCs Only - It costs $5. If you haven't registered your LLC with the state of Ohio, you'll have to do that too. https://ohio.gov/business/resources/certificates-of-good-sta...
2. A Lead Clearance certificate from within the last 2 years.
3. A Local Agent in Charge form - You need to have a person living within Cuyahoga or neighboring counties to be a "local agent in charge."  they don't have to do actually do anything, merely exist. Yes, the form must be notarized by the agent. Yes, there is the possibility of legal action if the property owner doesn't follow through.
4. Proof that your property taxes are in good standing. I'm not 100% certain how this one works yet, since most people pay property taxes
through mortgages, but you can download a pdf here: https://myplace.cuyahogacounty.gov/

5. If you have 4 or more units, you have to prove that utilities are current, and every year you need to get a HVAC Certification. Usually that means water/ sewer bills through Cleveland Water and NEORSD. Make sure you have a fax machine, cause you'll need to send your documents that way.

Rental registration is $70 each, plus convenience fee. All the documents need to be uploaded in the accela https://aca-prod.accela.com/COC/Default.aspx
More Details can be found on the city website. https://www.clevelandohio.gov/city-hall/departments/building...

A few properties are still registered, you can check them here: https://aca-prod.accela.com/COC/Default.aspx

Is this an intelligent method of getting a rental registration and improving the city? No. Is it the law my hometown voted for? Yes.

In the meantime, good luck and I hope this helps. Want someone to do this for you or need a Local Agent in Charge?  I'm probably the only one who's done the process all the way through. Give me a shout.

Data hack reference:
https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/cleveland/cleveland-...

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Rental Property Investor · Nampa, ID · Member since 2021 · 19 posts · 16 votes
1y

Has anyone had any luck finding anyone willing to take on this role of LAIC?  From what i've seen, due to the way the city worded the form with this LAIC taking financial responsibility, I'm having a hard time finding anyone who will sign it.  So essentially as an OOS investor I'm stuck as far as registering goes at the moment.

See this reply in the discussion

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  • Real Estate Broker · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2018 · 227 posts · 133 votes
    2y
    Awesome info!  I'm really interested in see how the "Local Agent in Charge" plays out and if they really do go after agents / brokers if the property owners do not comply.  I've been told both extremes by several different people, but that's crazy to hold the agent responsible when they're forcing this arbitrary rule just so they can go after agents and brokers for something they had zero control over.  Makes no sense.  Excellent guide!
  • Melanie P.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Member since 2023 · 1k+ posts · 922 votes
    2y

    @David Leggett In my opinion the Local Agent comes from the town wanting someone to serve with legal process concerning the property. Not "go after." The City can always liquidate its claims by liening the property. I think they just don't want to waste time trying to serve out of state owners.

  • Rental Property Investor · Nampa, ID · Member since 2021 · 19 posts · 16 votes
    1y

    Has anyone had any luck finding anyone willing to take on this role of LAIC?  From what i've seen, due to the way the city worded the form with this LAIC taking financial responsibility, I'm having a hard time finding anyone who will sign it.  So essentially as an OOS investor I'm stuck as far as registering goes at the moment.

  • Real Estate Consultant · Cleveland · Member since 2020 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Nathan Fisher:

    As I go through the trainwreck of the new Cleveland Rental Registration Process, I wanted to help everyone else out and create a guide. It is not legal advice and is not guaranteed to be accurate. I'll update it as I learn more.

    You may be thinking, "I already registered for my rental this year." I did too. But Cleveland had all their data destroyed in a cyber attack.  You have to do it again. A few properties are still registered, you can check them here: https://aca-prod.accela.com/COC/Default.aspx

    If you do not have a rental registration, you cannot evict, and eventually they're going to start throwing out fines.

    To get a rental registration in Cleveland Proper you will need the following:  - links attached

    1. A certificate of Good Standing with the State of Ohio - LLCs Only - It costs $5. If you haven't registered your LLC with the state of Ohio, you'll have to do that too. https://ohio.gov/business/resources/certificates-of-good-sta...
    2. A Lead Clearance certificate from within the last 2 years.
    3. A Local Agent in Charge form - You need to have a person living within Cuyahoga or neighboring counties to be a "local agent in charge."  they don't have to do actually do anything, merely exist. Yes, the form must be notarized by the agent. Yes, there is the possibility of legal action if the property owner doesn't follow through.
    4. Proof that your property taxes are in good standing. I'm not 100% certain how this one works yet, since most people pay property taxes
    through mortgages, but you can download a pdf here: https://myplace.cuyahogacounty.gov/

    5. If you have 4 or more units, you have to prove that utilities are current, and every year you need to get a HVAC Certification. Usually that means water/ sewer bills through Cleveland Water and NEORSD. Make sure you have a fax machine, cause you'll need to send your documents that way.

    Rental registration is $70 each, plus convenience fee. All the documents need to be uploaded in the accela https://aca-prod.accela.com/COC/Default.aspx
    More Details can be found on the city website. https://www.clevelandohio.gov/city-hall/departments/building...

    A few properties are still registered, you can check them here: https://aca-prod.accela.com/COC/Default.aspx

    Is this an intelligent method of getting a rental registration and improving the city? No. Is it the law my hometown voted for? Yes.

    In the meantime, good luck and I hope this helps. Want someone to do this for you or need a Local Agent in Charge?  I'm probably the only one who's done the process all the way through. Give me a shout.

    Data hack reference:
    https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/local/cleveland/cleveland-...


     All none issues, I register lets just say one or two props a year. 10 years doing biz there, sue some headaches but much better than having a job, 

    All the best 

  • Real Estate Consultant · Cleveland · Member since 2020 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Joshua Perelli:

    Has anyone had any luck finding anyone willing to take on this role of LAIC?  From what i've seen, due to the way the city worded the form with this LAIC taking financial responsibility, I'm having a hard time finding anyone who will sign it.  So essentially as an OOS investor I'm stuck as far as registering goes at the moment.


     NONE issue, I live OOS and do my biz there for 10 years, 

  • Nathan FisherBusiness Member
    OP
    Property Manager · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2020 · 305 posts · 261 votes
    1y

    @Bob S.  you know this rule just changed like 4 months ago?

  • Rental Property Investor · Nampa, ID · Member since 2021 · 19 posts · 16 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Bob S.:
    Quote from @Joshua Perelli:

    Has anyone had any luck finding anyone willing to take on this role of LAIC?  From what i've seen, due to the way the city worded the form with this LAIC taking financial responsibility, I'm having a hard time finding anyone who will sign it.  So essentially as an OOS investor I'm stuck as far as registering goes at the moment.


     NONE issue, I live OOS and do my biz there for 10 years, 


     Do you have any contacts for a local agent in charge in the area?  This isn’t just a property manager, it’s someone who’s willing to be on the hook financially in the event the owner does not comply with city ordinances.   I cannot find anyone willing to sign the form.

  • Nathan FisherBusiness Member
    OP
    Property Manager · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2020 · 305 posts · 261 votes
    1y

    @Joshua Perelli so only a crazy person would accept being a LAIC for an owner self managing. The amount of liability they would take on is insane. Housing violations, lead remediations, FHA lawsuits, Personal Injury

    Even property managers shouldn't do it. But at least they have some control and understanding of the property. 

    My work around was to find a 75 year old dude with no credit and no assets, who wanted a new truck.

  • Real Estate Consultant · Cleveland · Member since 2020 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Joshua Perelli:
    Quote from @Bob S.:
    Quote from @Joshua Perelli:

    Has anyone had any luck finding anyone willing to take on this role of LAIC?  From what i've seen, due to the way the city worded the form with this LAIC taking financial responsibility, I'm having a hard time finding anyone who will sign it.  So essentially as an OOS investor I'm stuck as far as registering goes at the moment.


     NONE issue, I live OOS and do my biz there for 10 years, 


     Do you have any contacts for a local agent in charge in the area?  This isn’t just a property manager, it’s someone who’s willing to be on the hook financially in the event the owner does not comply with city ordinances.   I cannot find anyone willing to sign the form.

     Of course I'm aware of what that is and how it works, I have lets just say one or two there, Happy to help 

    BTW how many do you have there? Are the occupied? Led Cirt ? 

  • Real Estate Consultant · Cleveland · Member since 2020 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Nathan Fisher:

    @Bob S.  you know this rule just changed like 4 months ago?


     HELLO, of course, 

    GREAT post however, 

  • Rental Property Investor · Nampa, ID · Member since 2021 · 19 posts · 16 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Bob S.:
    Quote from @Joshua Perelli:
    Quote from @Bob S.:
    Quote from @Joshua Perelli:

    Has anyone had any luck finding anyone willing to take on this role of LAIC?  From what i've seen, due to the way the city worded the form with this LAIC taking financial responsibility, I'm having a hard time finding anyone who will sign it.  So essentially as an OOS investor I'm stuck as far as registering goes at the moment.


     NONE issue, I live OOS and do my biz there for 10 years, 


     Do you have any contacts for a local agent in charge in the area?  This isn’t just a property manager, it’s someone who’s willing to be on the hook financially in the event the owner does not comply with city ordinances.   I cannot find anyone willing to sign the form.

     Of course I'm aware of what that is and how it works, I have lets just say one or two there, Happy to help 

    BTW how many do you have there? Are the occupied? Led Cirt ? 

    4 duplexes all occupied.  Working towards lead certs and registrations and on all of them.  2 are currently registered.. How are you doing the local agent in charge?


  • Michael SmytheBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Metro Detroit · Member since 2023 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y

    Been dealing with all this in most cities of Metro Detroit since our PMC founded.

    City of Detroit has required Lead Cert for over 10 years.

    Logical Property Management4.9446 Reviews
  • Rental Property Investor · Nampa, ID · Member since 2021 · 19 posts · 16 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Michael Smythe:

    Been dealing with all this in most cities of Metro Detroit since our PMC founded.

    City of Detroit has required Lead Cert for over 10 years.

    The lead certifications isn’t the issue, it’s the local agent in charge that the city is making take financial responsibility.  I cannot find anyone who wants to take that on.
  • Real Estate Consultant · Cleveland · Member since 2020 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Joshua Perelli:
    Quote from @Michael Smythe:

    Been dealing with all this in most cities of Metro Detroit since our PMC founded.

    City of Detroit has required Lead Cert for over 10 years.

    The lead certifications isn’t the issue, it’s the local agent in charge that the city is making take financial responsibility.  I cannot find anyone who wants to take that on.

     I believe I already mentioned I have EVERYTHING, and to reach out, 

  • Real Estate Consultant · Cleveland · Member since 2020 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Joshua Perelli:
    Quote from @Bob S.:
    Quote from @Joshua Perelli:
    Quote from @Bob S.:
    Quote from @Joshua Perelli:

    Has anyone had any luck finding anyone willing to take on this role of LAIC?  From what i've seen, due to the way the city worded the form with this LAIC taking financial responsibility, I'm having a hard time finding anyone who will sign it.  So essentially as an OOS investor I'm stuck as far as registering goes at the moment.


     NONE issue, I live OOS and do my biz there for 10 years, 


     Do you have any contacts for a local agent in charge in the area?  This isn’t just a property manager, it’s someone who’s willing to be on the hook financially in the event the owner does not comply with city ordinances.   I cannot find anyone willing to sign the form.

     Of course I'm aware of what that is and how it works, I have lets just say one or two there, Happy to help 

    BTW how many do you have there? Are the occupied? Led Cirt ? 

    4 duplexes all occupied.  Working towards lead certs and registrations and on all of them.  2 are currently registered.. How are you doing the local agent in charge?

    I have it all, Led Cirt, " guy" LAIC and everything else you need 

  • Michael SmytheBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Metro Detroit · Member since 2023 · 4k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y

    @Joshua Perelli as a PMC, we have an indemnity clause in our management contract, so we're protected by the owner.

    You'll want to be willing to sign such a clause with a PMC to take on this risk.

    Logical Property Management4.9446 Reviews
  • New to Real Estate · Los Angeles · Member since 2022 · 43 posts · 41 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Joshua Perelli:
    Quote from @Michael Smythe:

    Been dealing with all this in most cities of Metro Detroit since our PMC founded.

    City of Detroit has required Lead Cert for over 10 years.

    The lead certifications isn’t the issue, it’s the local agent in charge that the city is making take financial responsibility.  I cannot find anyone who wants to take that on.

     Have you had any luck finding someone yet? We are also looking at options for finding a "registered agent" for our Cleveland property

  • Real Estate Consultant · Cleveland · Member since 2020 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Catherine Ding:
    Quote from @Joshua Perelli:
    Quote from @Michael Smythe:

    Been dealing with all this in most cities of Metro Detroit since our PMC founded.

    City of Detroit has required Lead Cert for over 10 years.

    The lead certifications isn’t the issue, it’s the local agent in charge that the city is making take financial responsibility.  I cannot find anyone who wants to take that on.

     Have you had any luck finding someone yet? We are also looking at options for finding a "registered agent" for our Cleveland property


     I have it all, Led cirt " guy" contractors, and LAIC, happy to help 

    • Brooklyn, NY · Member since 2013 · 15 posts · 0 votes
      1y
      Hi Bob, 

      Would you please share your LAIC contact? I'm looking for someone. 

      Quote from @Bob S.:
      Quote from @Catherine Ding:
      Quote from @Joshua Perelli:
      Quote from @Michael Smythe:

      Been dealing with all this in most cities of Metro Detroit since our PMC founded.

      City of Detroit has required Lead Cert for over 10 years.

      The lead certifications isn’t the issue, it’s the local agent in charge that the city is making take financial responsibility.  I cannot find anyone who wants to take that on.

       Have you had any luck finding someone yet? We are also looking at options for finding a "registered agent" for our Cleveland property


       I have it all, Led cirt " guy" contractors, and LAIC, happy to help 


    • Realtor · Boulder, CO · Member since 2016 · 3k+ posts · 5k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Keita D.:
      Hi Bob, 

      Would you please share your LAIC contact? I'm looking for someone. 

      Quote from @Bob S.:
      Quote from @Catherine Ding:
      Quote from @Joshua Perelli:
      Quote from @Michael Smythe:

      Been dealing with all this in most cities of Metro Detroit since our PMC founded.

      City of Detroit has required Lead Cert for over 10 years.

      The lead certifications isn’t the issue, it’s the local agent in charge that the city is making take financial responsibility.  I cannot find anyone who wants to take that on.

       Have you had any luck finding someone yet? We are also looking at options for finding a "registered agent" for our Cleveland property


       I have it all, Led cirt " guy" contractors, and LAIC, happy to help 



       Hi Keita, 

      I think Bob's account got deleted because Bob Stevens wasn't his real name and he was in violation of the forum rules? Just based on this thread, I don't know the guy or anything about him personally:

      https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/92/topics/1218237-who-i...

      and also this thread:

      https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/92/topics/1219690-expos...

      @Renehosman is Bob's account still active or was it deleted?

    • Realtor · Boulder, CO · Member since 2016 · 3k+ posts · 5k+ votes
      1y
      Quote from @Steve K.:
      Quote from @Keita D.:
      Hi Bob, 

      Would you please share your LAIC contact? I'm looking for someone. 

      Quote from @Bob S.:
      Quote from @Catherine Ding:
      Quote from @Joshua Perelli:
      Quote from @Michael Smythe:

      Been dealing with all this in most cities of Metro Detroit since our PMC founded.

      City of Detroit has required Lead Cert for over 10 years.

      The lead certifications isn’t the issue, it’s the local agent in charge that the city is making take financial responsibility.  I cannot find anyone who wants to take that on.

       Have you had any luck finding someone yet? We are also looking at options for finding a "registered agent" for our Cleveland property


       I have it all, Led cirt " guy" contractors, and LAIC, happy to help 



       Hi Keita, 

      I think Bob's account got deleted because Bob Stevens wasn't his real name and he was in violation of the forum rules? Just based on this thread, I don't know the guy or anything about him personally:

      https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/92/topics/1218237-who-i...

      and also this thread:

      https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/92/topics/1219690-expos...

      @Renehosman is Bob's account still active or was it deleted?

       @Rene Hosman

  • Rental Property Investor · Nampa, ID · Member since 2021 · 19 posts · 16 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Catherine Ding:
    Quote from @Joshua Perelli:
    Quote from @Michael Smythe:

    Been dealing with all this in most cities of Metro Detroit since our PMC founded.

    City of Detroit has required Lead Cert for over 10 years.

    The lead certifications isn’t the issue, it’s the local agent in charge that the city is making take financial responsibility.  I cannot find anyone who wants to take that on.

     Have you had any luck finding someone yet? We are also looking at options for finding a "registered agent" for our Cleveland property


     I have not found anyone, even property managers are telling me they won’t sign off on anyone’s because they don’t like the way the city is pinning ultimate financial responsibility onto whoever the local agent is so it’s a risky endeavor. Please let me know if you find someone.

  • Real Estate Consultant · Cleveland · Member since 2020 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Joshua Perelli:
    Quote from @Catherine Ding:
    Quote from @Joshua Perelli:
    Quote from @Michael Smythe:

    Been dealing with all this in most cities of Metro Detroit since our PMC founded.

    City of Detroit has required Lead Cert for over 10 years.

    The lead certifications isn’t the issue, it’s the local agent in charge that the city is making take financial responsibility.  I cannot find anyone who wants to take that on.

     Have you had any luck finding someone yet? We are also looking at options for finding a "registered agent" for our Cleveland property


     I have not found anyone, even property managers are telling me they won’t sign off on anyone’s because they don’t like the way the city is pinning ultimate financial responsibility onto whoever the local agent is so it’s a risky endeavor. Please let me knif you find someone.

     Nobody is doing it for you for free. I offered to help you however you mentioned you self-manage, (terrible idea) and " have a rolodex of handymen" Well why are your handymen not being your local agent? My guys do whatever I want as I give them tons of repairs/ reno. 

    Good luck 

  • Rental Property Investor · Nampa, ID · Member since 2021 · 19 posts · 16 votes
    1y
    Quote from @Bob S.:
    Quote from @Joshua Perelli:
    Quote from @Catherine Ding:
    Quote from @Joshua Perelli:
    Quote from @Michael Smythe:

    Been dealing with all this in most cities of Metro Detroit since our PMC founded.

    City of Detroit has required Lead Cert for over 10 years.

    The lead certifications isn’t the issue, it’s the local agent in charge that the city is making take financial responsibility.  I cannot find anyone who wants to take that on.

     Have you had any luck finding someone yet? We are also looking at options for finding a "registered agent" for our Cleveland property


     I have not found anyone, even property managers are telling me they won’t sign off on anyone’s because they don’t like the way the city is pinning ultimate financial responsibility onto whoever the local agent is so it’s a risky endeavor. Please let me knif you find someone.

     Nobody is doing it for you for free. I offered to help you however you mentioned you self-manage, (terrible idea) and " have a rolodex of handymen" Well why are your handymen not being your local agent? My guys do whatever I want as I give them tons of repairs/ reno. 

    Good luck 

    Thanks bob you’ve explained how big your operation is and that’s wonderful and all but for us investors who have only a couple properties and can’t “give contractors as much work as they want” I’m looking for a solution.  I’ve also explained I’ve talked to property managers and they are not even offering the service to clients, so whether I self manage or not has nothing to do with it.

    JPM
  • Real Estate Consultant · Cleveland · Member since 2020 · 6k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    1y
    Quote from @Joshua Perelli:
    Quote from @Bob S.:
    Quote from @Joshua Perelli:
    Quote from @Catherine Ding:
    Quote from @Joshua Perelli:
    Quote from @Michael Smythe:

    Been dealing with all this in most cities of Metro Detroit since our PMC founded.

    City of Detroit has required Lead Cert for over 10 years.

    The lead certifications isn’t the issue, it’s the local agent in charge that the city is making take financial responsibility.  I cannot find anyone who wants to take that on.

     Have you had any luck finding someone yet? We are also looking at options for finding a "registered agent" for our Cleveland property


     I have not found anyone, even property managers are telling me they won’t sign off on anyone’s because they don’t like the way the city is pinning ultimate financial responsibility onto whoever the local agent is so it’s a risky endeavor. Please let me knif you find someone.

     Nobody is doing it for you for free. I offered to help you however you mentioned you self-manage, (terrible idea) and " have a rolodex of handymen" Well why are your handymen not being your local agent? My guys do whatever I want as I give them tons of repairs/ reno. 

    Good luck 

    Thanks bob you’ve explained how big your operation is and that’s wonderful and all but for us investors who have only a couple properties and can’t “give contractors as much work as they want” I’m looking for a solution.  I’ve also explained I’ve talked to property managers and they are not even offering the service to clients, so whether I self manage or not has nothing to do with it.

    JPM

     Ok your sarcasm is not appreciated. I NEVER told you, you had to give them a lot of work, but the work that will be needed yes. I gave you a solution, I was trying to help you, ...

    Good luck 

  • Brooklyn, NY · Member since 2013 · 15 posts · 0 votes
    1y

    Ah, thanks for letting me. All good. I think I've found a solution.

    (But super weird that someone would come on here with a fake name offering fake help!)

  • Dallas, TX · Member since 2023 · 8 posts · 7 votes
    6mo

    Hi all, resurrecting this thread to see if anyone had any recommendations for LAIC? My current PM said they will not act as that and said I will need to supply my own (without recommendation). Any recommendations are appreciated. 

  • Nathan FisherBusiness Member
    OP
    Property Manager · Cleveland, OH · Member since 2020 · 305 posts · 261 votes
    6mo

    A reliable contractor of mine is actually considering starting an LAIC company. No services, just checking off the LAIC Requirement for the city. Feel free to dm me for the connection. 

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