Real Estate Law in Ohio
Cleveland Heights's real estate industry is controlled by a huge body of laws. This is because almost any real estate transaction invokes laws regarding civil rights, consumer protection, land use, and contracts.
The large volume of laws regulating real estate in Cleveland Heights might seem overwhelming to the uninitiated. Indeed, they can get very complicated, especially when issues about title defects or construction disputes are involved.
Thus, it's always good to have at least some knowledge of Cleveland Heights's real estate law.
Having at least some knowledge of real estate law will be to your advantage in basically any real estate transaction. Knowing the law can give you a bargaining advantage and prevent you from being saddled with obligations that you don't have to assume.
Common Real Estate Law Issues in Cleveland Heights
Financing: Not too many individuals or small businesses in Cleveland Heights can purchase real estate with the cash on hand, simply because land is expensive, and few people have hundreds of thousands (or even millions) of dollars in the bank. In buying real estate, a mortgage is an outstanding solution for most people. Of course, you still have to pay the full price of the real estate you're buying, but a mortgage allows you to do this in installments, over a period of years.
Zoning: Zoning regulations determine what types of structures are allowed on various parcels, based on their location in a municipality. For instance, some areas in a city might be zoned only for residential use. Another area might allow industrial use. These rules are meant to keep property values up, and promote harmony among neighbors by preventing conflicts.
Duty of Disclosure: Sellers of homes are bound by a legal duty to disclose defects in the home to prospective buyers, before they buy the house. Any defect which the seller knows (or reasonably should know) about, and which cannot be discovered by the buyer through an average inspection, must be disclosed to the buyer.
Implied Warranties: In Cleveland Heights, every residential rental agreement carries with it a warranty of habitability, in which the landlord implicitly promises that the unit is fit for human habitation. This applies whether or not such a warranty is mentioned in the lease agreement, and it still applies even if the landlord tries to disclaim any such warranty. There are many circumstances that might make an unit uninhabitable. A few examples are a lack of electricity, no running water, or no heating.
Can a Cleveland Heights Real Estate Lawyer Help?
Because the issues discussed above can get complicated for laypersons, if you have a real estate issue, such as an eviction, or a construction dispute, you should not hesitate to contact a Cleveland Heights real estate attorney ASAP.