Lima introduces rental registration

Jacob Espinosa, The Lima News, Ohio
·2 min read

May 15—LIMA — Lima is putting more regulations on rental housing units.

After Lima council passed legislation to require every owner of a rental housing unit in the city to have a valid certificate, Mayor Sharetta Smith announced the launch of the Rental Housing Unit Registration.

"Rental registration is one of many steps we are taking to tackle the complex issue of quality, affordable housing through the Better Together Plan," Smith said in a statement. "This program represents a balanced piece of legislation that serves landlords, tenants and the community at large by ensuring Lima's housing stock includes safe and livable rental housing while preserving the value of properties throughout the city."

Carmillia Zion, deputy director of housing and neighborhoods for the city, said owners of these units had a few deadlines to meet some of the requirements at Wednesday's mayoral press conference.

"Owners of 10 or more rental housing units shall register their units no later than June 30," she said. "Owners of between five or nine rental housing units shall register their units no later than Dec. 31. And owners of between one and four rental housing units shall register their units no later than June 30, 2025."

Zion said the goal of the program is to make sure the units are safe, livable and affordable.

"This program is a balance of legislation for both the tenants of the community and the landlords," she said. "It's a better way to understand our housing stock, and it's just a form that will ask each of those owners where those properties are located, so if our safety services need information, they know how to get it and get there."

Zion added that the city will be able to learn the conditions of the units and be familiar with them if it needs to go in and assist tenants or landlords.

The property owner is not responsible for fees for the registration and can voluntarily register their units. If the units are sold, the new owner has within 30 days to update the registration after the sale is closed, for no fee.

Lima will host workshops about the new rules from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday, June 1 and Saturday, June 22.

For more information and to find the forms, visit bit.ly/4dFaOO6.

Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.