Real Estate Agent · Canton, OH · Member since 2024 · 39 posts · 29 votes
Author: Tyler Madden
Published: 5:37 PM EST November 4, 2026
Updated: 5:37 PM EST November 4, 2026
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AKRON, Ohio — Akron voters approved three ballot measures bringing changes to the city's rental policies and police oversight system on Tuesday.
Issues 11 and 12 both focus on expanding access to housing and changing requirements for landlords.
Issue 11 prohibits landlords from charging rental application fees, and also allows tenants to pay security deposits in installments over three or six months. Landlords who continue collecting application fees or fail to notify tenants about security deposit payment options could face criminal penalties.
Issue 12 prohibits landlords from denying prospective tenants solely because of their criminal records. The measure includes exceptions for certain more severe offenses, including arson and sex offenses.
Akron Mayor Shammas Malik opposed both housing measures, warning they could lead to higher rents and raise public safety concerns.
I understand the reason they did this, I think it goes too far.
I have hourly employees at my day job, and their experience with corporate landlords in Cleveland has been awful. $50 for a background check + $100 application fee + $200 administrative fee. They have paid $350 just to apply and they might not get the place. Multiply that by 2-3 places and they are out $1,000 to find a place to live.
I am a very small operator, I go in order of application. I tell the person first in line to submit for the background check. I tell number 2 to wait and I will contact them if number one falls through. There are no other overhead fees. It works for me, people don’t throw a bunch of money away trying to get a place to live, and having a first in line policy minimizes any risks of discrimination claims. I think limits on fees would be better than no fees. I will still operate this way with the new rule to make sure I am not spending too much. And yes, my rent will go up to cover that cost when I turn a property.
The security deposit part is troubling. The whole point is to protect your property if they move in and trash it. If they leave their old place in good shape, they should be able to transfer the deposit funds to the new place. This one is simply going to make screening and reference checks that much more important. I may talk to my attorney to see of there are any protections that can be added to the lease agreement.