City of Columbus Violation Notice

General Landlording & Rental Properties
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City of Columbus Violation Notice

Marek Mika
Real Estate Investor · Corona, CA · Member since 2017 · 9 posts · 3 votes

I bought a few homes in Columbus using Turn Key Company. I just did received 2 letters from City of Columbus. One with zoning code violation which I understand (Tenant storing items in the backyard, electric meter damaged) but second letter effecting items inside home (  220 amp receptacle lacking the cover in basement, damage door in the basement evidence of water damage of the ceiling of the basement, loose stairs treads, multiple bedroom door damage blinds , toilet loose and a lot more. Just wonder if City Inspector allowed to come inside to reported or if Property Management is trying to get a Section 8 tenant without my knowledge. So far cant get hold with PM. Emailed both letters with long list of the code violation. Let know my Turn Key Company hope they can help me with this matter. Any feedback I would appreciate. I know now that always, always due diligent work before investing in homes without seeing them.  

Mark Mika

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Peter Lohmann
Property Manager · Columbus, OH · Member since 2012 · 309 posts · 275 votes
9y

Marek, unfortunately the previous respondents are not well informed. Let me clear up a few items for you:

1) City of Columbus has no standard inspections for rental properties (ie, no annual or occupancy required inspections). All city code violations are "complaint-driven" - that is, they need to be reported by someone in order to generate a visit by an inspector.

2) Section 8 is administered here in Columbus by the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA). They are the ones who conduct the inspections for section 8 (not the City of Columbus).

3) It's very unlikely that your property manager is attempting to "sneak" a section 8 tenant into the property. What would be the reason for doing that? It's a LOT more work for the property manager.

4) City inspectors cannot enter a tenant's home without their permission.

Most likely scenario is that the tenant is angry at the property management company, either because of the condition of the property or for some other reason (maybe they are just late with the rent and coming up with excuses). So they called the city inspector because they know it will cause problems for everyone. We see this from time to time. You or your PM will need to very quickly rectify all the items identified in the letter. Your PM should really be taking care of this for you start to finish.

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  • Patti RobertsonBusiness Member
    Property Manager · Virginia Beach, VA · Member since 2016 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    9y

    SEC8 or not, many cities have rental zones that require inspections. These sound like standard inspection fail items. Is a tenant in the property? If so, and it's not SEC8, it's possible the PM tried to squeeke by without an inspection under the radar and got a notice. When that happens they inspect after it's occupied. If that's the case, I'd hold the tenant liable for the broken door and other items they damaged.  

    757-472-2547
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  • Melroy D'Souza
    Investor · Hilliard, OH · Member since 2014 · 60 posts · 25 votes
    9y

    @Marek Mika,

    Here's how you will know they are trying to squeeze a Section 8 tenant. First go to gosection8.com and see if your property is on there. Then once they get a tenant in, expect a delay of 45 days before the rent comes in for the first month. That being said, if you are not happy with your PM, start looking around for a new one. Don't wait.

    Regarding the city inspector, this is what most likely happened. The inspector issued the citation (or whatever the legal terminology is) for the trash in the backyard. Then either the tenant mentioned about the issues inside OR the inspector took it upon himself to do a check inside with the tenants approval. He then wrote up a new one for the violations inside. 

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  • Thomas S.
    Member since 2016 · 13k+ posts · 12k+ votes
    9y

    Wait till you hear back from your PM. At that time you will get your answers and at the same time discuses with them that you do not want section 8 in your property.

    0Reply
  • Robert EllisBusiness Member
    Developer · Miami, FL · Member since 2014 · 3k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    9y
    Originally posted by @Marek Mika:

    I bought a few homes in Columbus using Turn Key Company. I just did received 2 letters from City of Columbus. One with zoning code violation which I understand (Tenant storing items in the backyard, electric meter damaged) but second letter effecting items inside home (  220 amp receptacle lacking the cover in basement, damage door in the basement evidence of water damage of the ceiling of the basement, loose stairs treads, multiple bedroom door damage blinds , toilet loose and a lot more. Just wonder if City Inspector allowed to come inside to reported or if Property Management is trying to get a Section 8 tenant without my knowledge. So far cant get hold with PM. Emailed both letters with long list of the code violation. Let know my Turn Key Company hope they can help me with this matter. Any feedback I would appreciate. I know now that always, always due diligent work before investing in homes without seeing them.  

    Mark Mika

     If you can't reach your property manager and you got violations might be time for a new one. If you need a recommendation let me know. 

    [email protected]786-494-6766
    Section 8 Launch52 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
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  • Peter Lohmann
    Property Manager · Columbus, OH · Member since 2012 · 309 posts · 275 votes
    9y

    Marek, unfortunately the previous respondents are not well informed. Let me clear up a few items for you:

    1) City of Columbus has no standard inspections for rental properties (ie, no annual or occupancy required inspections). All city code violations are "complaint-driven" - that is, they need to be reported by someone in order to generate a visit by an inspector.

    2) Section 8 is administered here in Columbus by the Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority (CMHA). They are the ones who conduct the inspections for section 8 (not the City of Columbus).

    3) It's very unlikely that your property manager is attempting to "sneak" a section 8 tenant into the property. What would be the reason for doing that? It's a LOT more work for the property manager.

    4) City inspectors cannot enter a tenant's home without their permission.

    Most likely scenario is that the tenant is angry at the property management company, either because of the condition of the property or for some other reason (maybe they are just late with the rent and coming up with excuses). So they called the city inspector because they know it will cause problems for everyone. We see this from time to time. You or your PM will need to very quickly rectify all the items identified in the letter. Your PM should really be taking care of this for you start to finish.

    2Reply
  • Marek Mika
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · Corona, CA · Member since 2017 · 9 posts · 3 votes
    9y

    Thanks Peter. As you mention it might be a problem with tenant and PM. Rent for December payed by tenant in 3 separate checks by the end of the month. For January on time on the beginning of the month. Last month I got hit with many repairs. Plumbing snake floor drain $250.00, HVAC new water tank $650.00, swept floor from flood, cleaned carpet $150.00 and HVAC installed new blower $295.00. Now all clean ups outside and repairs inside. Hope I can solve them shortly and let you know outcome.

    Mark Mika

    0Reply
  • Tim Dye
    Columbus, OH · Member since 2015 · 51 posts · 20 votes
    9y

    I have several rentals in Columbus and @Peter Lohmann is 100% accurate. And yes, time for a new property manager if you can't reach them. 

    0Reply
  • Sean Dawson
    Investor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2015 · 134 posts · 48 votes
    9y

    @Marek Mika Peter is spot on.  For drains, call Ken shaw at only drains, no where near $250.  Are these properties off of olentangy river road where the big water main break was last month?  

    0Reply
  • Marek Mika
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · Corona, CA · Member since 2017 · 9 posts · 3 votes
    9y

    E Blake Ave 43219 zip

    0Reply
  • Sean Dawson
    Investor · Columbus, OH · Member since 2015 · 134 posts · 48 votes
    9y

    ahh rough area. I though with the flooding it might have been near the street I asked about. 

    tenants had to let them in. 

    0Reply
  • Marek Mika
    OP
    Real Estate Investor · Corona, CA · Member since 2017 · 9 posts · 3 votes
    9y

    Talked to PM and they're working with City to fix all the problems. I'm just wonder if tenant reported, he/she is going to be responsible to trash in the backyard

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