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Updated 12 months ago on . Most recent reply

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34
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Nathan Currier-Groh
  • Investor
  • Cincinnati, OH
16
Votes |
34
Posts

Mixed Use - Need Help - Can I rent apartments as NON-Residential?

Nathan Currier-Groh
  • Investor
  • Cincinnati, OH
Posted

It is time to ask for some help making a new strategy for my mixed-use property.

Background:
I have a mixed use multi-family building in a commercial district zoned as Urban Mix. I've owned it for 7 years and it has not gone well with the residential units. I operate another business out of the ground floor storefront. There are four apartments on the upper floors.

The neighborhood is 10 years into the early-artist phase and shows signs of other development activity happening, but is still has a lot of drug and prostitution activity. The people willing to live there have made horrible tenants. Because of this I have rented two of the apartments to people using them as office/meeting space. They have been good as tenants, but I'm charging well below market with the agreement that the units are as-is and non-residential.

The building is partially renovated, partially demo'd, has ancient plumbing and electrical. New roof.

Questions and Concerns:
The non-residential lease I had them sign was just a modified residential lease. I'm looking for feedback on what distinctions need to be in a lease like this. They are basically renting an apartment with a kitchen and bathroom, but I am telling them they are not allowed to live there. I also put in exclusions for the water heater and furnace so that they are responsible for those.

What type of language will make the AS-IS language stick and make it very clear that they are required to maintain the heating and water systems?

What requirements am I opening myself up to if the units are being used as offices or group meeting spaces?

More generally, what is an overall strategy for a building on a commercial street with a storefront and multiple apartments?

Thank you for any feedback or answers.

Most Popular Reply

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Replied

Yea, that area of Northside is just not quite there yet. That is in the City of Cincinnati so you have to comply with Cincinnati ordinances as well as Ohio landlord tenant law. I am not aware that a tenant can waive any of those. Your actual knowledge that they are living there is probably enough to hang you. You should get legal or at least property manager advice so if something bad happens it will not be a colossal problem.

The zoning of CN-P includes live work and some commercial uses.

I'd walk over to 305 Central Ave and talk to a zoning plan reviewer. Just don't explain what the current situation is.

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