Contact law for rental property owners faces possible changes

A new state law that requires rental property owners to provide contact information to county auditors went into effect Sept. 28. But the Legislature may water down the bill next year.

Columbiana County Auditor Nancy Milliken said the new law requires rental property owners to provide contact information, including a name, address and telephone number.

The phone numbers, she said, would make it easier for people to get in touch with the owner in case of a problem.

Corporations must provide a name of an officer or manager. People who live outside of Ohio must provide the name of an agent in Ohio who can be contacted.

In the past, Milliken said, different municipalities had different forms and requirements. Under the new system, there will be one standard reporting form. Failure to provide the contact information is a minor misdemeanor.

Milliken said she has a stack of such information from owners that is being entered into her computer system and will be available on her Web site.

People may relate to having problems contacting owners about noise, parking, trash or other problems at rental properties.

Police and fire officials often have to locate property owners. In one case many years ago, it took Lisbon authorities months to locate the owner of an apartment complex that had been damaged in a fire.

"The most important aspect is that police and firemen can find someone at 3 a.m.," Milliken said.

But the Legislature may water down the measure next year.

The proposed changes would require only renters of four or more units to supply the information. Also, it would be up to auditors to decide if they want to keep such records. Milliken said that some smaller counties may not have the staff to keep up with the work.

If the listings become voluntary, Milliken said, "I'd like to talk to some of the police and fire departments and see what their thoughts are on it."

Kenneth Biacco, a Columbiana County deputy sheriff who handles foreclosures and sheriff's sales of property for the department, said the listing sounded like a good idea.

Some areas of the county, such as East Liverpool, have long required landlords to register their properties, which made work easier for law enforcement officials.

Biacco said he had often talked to neighbors to gain information about the owners of different properties. Biacco said he was surprised to find that many people who own property in the county reside in other states.