Predatory Lending
Predatory lending takes various forms. For example, predatory lending includes abusive lending practices that result in equity stripping, inability to repay and foreclosures. Many times predatory lending targets low income and/or minority homeowners who cannot (or think they cannot) get financing from prime lenders.

Landlord Tenant Law
The Ohio Tenant-Landlord Law effective November 4, 1974, applies to most landlord-tenant relationships and governs most rental agreements whether oral or written.

The Landlord’s Duties
The landlord must:

• Comply with requirements of any building, housing, health or safety codes which materially affect health and safety.
• Make all repairs and whatever is reasonably necessary to put and keep the premises in a fit and habitable condition.
• Keep the common area of the building safe and sanitary.
• Provide trash and waste receptacles, if there are four or more apartments in the building.
• Supply running hot water, a reasonable amount of hot water, and reasonable heat at all times.
• Give tenant reasonable notice of intent to enter into a tenant’s apartment and enter only at reasonable times.
• Provide the tenant with the name and address of landlord and agent, if any, in writing at the beginning of tenancy.
• Keep all electrical, plumbing, heating, ventilating and air conditioning fixtures, appliances, and elevators in good safe working condition, when these things are supplied or required to be supplied by the landlord.
• Not harass the tenant by unreasonable or repeated demands to enter without the tenant’s permission or repeatedly demand entry. The tenant can recover actual damage resulting from the landlord’s entering.

The Tenant’s Duties
The tenant must:

• Keep the premises safe and sanitary.
• Keep premises free of trash and garbage.
• Use and operate all electrical and plumbing fixtures properly.
• Comply with the requirements imposed on tenants by applicable housing, health, and safety codes.
• Allow the landlord or agent to enter the apartment with reasonable notice for inspection to see what repairs or improvements are needed.
• Not intentionally or negligently destroy, damage, deface property or remove any plumbing fixture or appliance from the premises.
• Not act in a manner that will disturb neighbor’s peaceful enjoyment of the premises.

This law gives all persons in the protected classes the right to live wherever they can afford to buy a home or rent an apartment. If you believe you have been discriminated against, contact your local regional office.