Landlord wants to switch my lease to a “Land contract” to “get back at the city”












11















I've been living at this place for about two months and my lease looks pretty typical. Nothing unusual. I've had no problems so far.



Today my landlord called me and explained something about the city wanting to fine him for a rental inspection that only covers the outside of the house, and so he's outraged that he has to pay the fine for some guy to just look at the house from the side walk. He then explained that his plan is to present me with a "land agreement" and also a contract to invalidate the current lease so that I'm just paying him for the land agreement instead. I'm pretty confused about this whole thing and it doesn't seem right..



Through some quick googling it sounds like I'd suddenly have to pay taxes in he property as if I owner it? And I suddenly become responsible for paying the fee he's complaining about? Not to mention I don't know if any tenant rights apply anymore?



I'm deeply confused and would like to know if this is a thing many landlords try to do and whether there's anything I should start doing to cover myself if my landlord starts getting weirder.



Update: he says it could be a few months before he has the land contract for me to sign. I haven't agreed to anything and told him I'm going to check with a lawyer before taking any action.










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  • Is the property being rented a house, an apartment, or what?

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago











  • @DavidSiegel A rented house and I'm only two months into my year long lease.

    – BooleanCheese
    10 hours ago
















11















I've been living at this place for about two months and my lease looks pretty typical. Nothing unusual. I've had no problems so far.



Today my landlord called me and explained something about the city wanting to fine him for a rental inspection that only covers the outside of the house, and so he's outraged that he has to pay the fine for some guy to just look at the house from the side walk. He then explained that his plan is to present me with a "land agreement" and also a contract to invalidate the current lease so that I'm just paying him for the land agreement instead. I'm pretty confused about this whole thing and it doesn't seem right..



Through some quick googling it sounds like I'd suddenly have to pay taxes in he property as if I owner it? And I suddenly become responsible for paying the fee he's complaining about? Not to mention I don't know if any tenant rights apply anymore?



I'm deeply confused and would like to know if this is a thing many landlords try to do and whether there's anything I should start doing to cover myself if my landlord starts getting weirder.



Update: he says it could be a few months before he has the land contract for me to sign. I haven't agreed to anything and told him I'm going to check with a lawyer before taking any action.










share|improve this question









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  • Is the property being rented a house, an apartment, or what?

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago











  • @DavidSiegel A rented house and I'm only two months into my year long lease.

    – BooleanCheese
    10 hours ago














11












11








11








I've been living at this place for about two months and my lease looks pretty typical. Nothing unusual. I've had no problems so far.



Today my landlord called me and explained something about the city wanting to fine him for a rental inspection that only covers the outside of the house, and so he's outraged that he has to pay the fine for some guy to just look at the house from the side walk. He then explained that his plan is to present me with a "land agreement" and also a contract to invalidate the current lease so that I'm just paying him for the land agreement instead. I'm pretty confused about this whole thing and it doesn't seem right..



Through some quick googling it sounds like I'd suddenly have to pay taxes in he property as if I owner it? And I suddenly become responsible for paying the fee he's complaining about? Not to mention I don't know if any tenant rights apply anymore?



I'm deeply confused and would like to know if this is a thing many landlords try to do and whether there's anything I should start doing to cover myself if my landlord starts getting weirder.



Update: he says it could be a few months before he has the land contract for me to sign. I haven't agreed to anything and told him I'm going to check with a lawyer before taking any action.










share|improve this question









New contributor




BooleanCheese is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.












I've been living at this place for about two months and my lease looks pretty typical. Nothing unusual. I've had no problems so far.



Today my landlord called me and explained something about the city wanting to fine him for a rental inspection that only covers the outside of the house, and so he's outraged that he has to pay the fine for some guy to just look at the house from the side walk. He then explained that his plan is to present me with a "land agreement" and also a contract to invalidate the current lease so that I'm just paying him for the land agreement instead. I'm pretty confused about this whole thing and it doesn't seem right..



Through some quick googling it sounds like I'd suddenly have to pay taxes in he property as if I owner it? And I suddenly become responsible for paying the fee he's complaining about? Not to mention I don't know if any tenant rights apply anymore?



I'm deeply confused and would like to know if this is a thing many landlords try to do and whether there's anything I should start doing to cover myself if my landlord starts getting weirder.



Update: he says it could be a few months before he has the land contract for me to sign. I haven't agreed to anything and told him I'm going to check with a lawyer before taking any action.







united-states rental-property residential-lease landlord ohio






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edited 13 hours ago







BooleanCheese













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asked 13 hours ago









BooleanCheeseBooleanCheese

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  • Is the property being rented a house, an apartment, or what?

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago











  • @DavidSiegel A rented house and I'm only two months into my year long lease.

    – BooleanCheese
    10 hours ago



















  • Is the property being rented a house, an apartment, or what?

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago











  • @DavidSiegel A rented house and I'm only two months into my year long lease.

    – BooleanCheese
    10 hours ago

















Is the property being rented a house, an apartment, or what?

– David Siegel
10 hours ago





Is the property being rented a house, an apartment, or what?

– David Siegel
10 hours ago













@DavidSiegel A rented house and I'm only two months into my year long lease.

– BooleanCheese
10 hours ago





@DavidSiegel A rented house and I'm only two months into my year long lease.

– BooleanCheese
10 hours ago










3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes


















20














A "land contract" is not a way of renting property, it is a way of purchasing property on an installment basis without bank financing. It is Ohio's version of what in some other places is known as "contract for deed".



See "What is a Land Contract in Ohio" and "How Land Contracts Work" The actual law is Section 5313.



In a land contract, the buyer has equitable but not legal title. The buyer normally pays all taxes and fees, and is responsible for maintaining the property, just as if s/he has bought the property. But if the buyer defaults, all payments and equity would be forfeit to the seller. Until the buyer has paid 20% of the purchase price, or made 5 years of payments (whichever comes first) a single missed payment constitutes default and can lead to the buyer being evicted with all payments to date going to the seller, the buyer coming out of the deal with nothing.



Also, if the seller still has a mortgage and defaults, the buyer may lose everything paid to date. The buyer does not have the protections that a lease gives a tenant, nor the protections that legal title gives a purchaser via a traditional mortgage.



Land contracts are often used when the buyer cannot qualify for a mortgage.



The buyer pays interest, and it is often at a higher rate than the current rate on a mortgage.



Land contracts are often a form of predatory lending, but for some buyers they make sense. A buyer needs to carefully review the contract with a lawyer knowledgeable about land contracts, and consider the risks and benefits of this form of financing.



As I understand it, there cannot be a valid land contract for one apartment in an apartment building. A land contract must be for title to the land and all fixtures, including all buildings, on it. (There was at one point some unclarity if the question refereed to an apartment. It is now clear that it refers to a house, so this statement is not relevant to the OP, but may be to others.)



It is not clear just what the OP's landlord (LL) has in mind. It may be that LL plans to offer a "land contract" in which the purchase would be completed only after a very long time, with the idea that the OP woulkd simply default when s/he wanted to move. Such a default could harm the OP's credit. There seems no benefit to the OP in such a scheme compared to a lease, unless LL will lower the price significantly, taking into account maintenance costs and taxes, which OP may well be expected to pay under a land contract.



Note that a landlord can't legally force a tenant to sign a document cancelling a lease, or to sign whatever s/he will call a "land contract". Nor can s/he cancel the lease without the tenant's consent except for good cause as specified in the law (such as not paying rent). S/He could become uncooperative on other matters if a tenant doesn't do as s/he wants.



If a tenant does cancel his or her lease, s/he lose some rights. Others are guaranteed by law as long as the tenant is paying rent. If one signs a "land contract" what happens depends on its provisions.



OP needs to very carefully consider just what is being offered, and its risks and any possible benefits. Details of the contract will matter.



No matter exactly what LL has in mind, this is not at all a usual procedure for a landlord. OP or anyone in a similar circumstance should be very careful.






share|improve this answer





















  • 5





    The tags are what OP thinks applies, and it is a rental now. LL may well be trying to distort or misuse a "land contract", we can't really tell without seeing the proposed contract. LL may have a crazy idea that won't work, but it may harm OP in the process, if OP goes along.

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago






  • 1





    @Putvi You are correct in that I am not planning on buying the property and had never even heard the term before today. I do not plan on signing the land contract and I have given no cause for my landlord to terminate the current lease, but this is probably enough concern for me to find elsewhere to move when this lease is up. I have not been offered any form of compensation to sign the land contract and my landlord thinks that I'll voluntarily agree to terminate the lease and sign the land contract for the sake of helping him screw the city. This is all based on a single phonecall.

    – BooleanCheese
    10 hours ago








  • 5





    @BooleanCheese the landlord cna't legally force you to sign a document cancelling your lease, or to sign whatever he will call a "land contract". Nor can he cancel the lease without your consent except for good cause as specified in the law (such as not paying rent). He could become uncooperative on other matters if you don't do as he wants. If you do cancel your lease, you lose some rights. Others are guaranteed by law as long as you are paying rent. If you sign a "land contract" what happens depends on its provisions.

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago






  • 7





    It may be worth mentioning that if the OP signs this contract with the knowledge of the LL intending to defraud the municipality, that the OP would be guilty of participating in the fraud. There is no reason that the OP should sign this contract unless they have actual intention to participate in the land contract for a valid reason.

    – Ron Beyer
    9 hours ago






  • 1





    "As I understand it, there cannot be a valid land contract for one apartment in an apartment building. A land contract must be for title to the land and all fixtures, including all buildings, on it." The OP mentions they are renting a house.

    – Azor Ahai
    9 hours ago



















2














This is buying a house. If that's not what you mean to do, watch out! Even so, watch out.



Honestly, if it hadn't occurred to you until now to buy a house, this isn't for you. If this has piqued your interest in buying a house, explore doing it the normal way with bank mortgage, realtor, all that.



Land contracts are often thought of as "exploitive", and this very thing here is why. They are often offered to lifetime rental tenants who are totally inexperienced at house-buying, and don't know a good or bad deal when they see one. They have no reference for comparison. As such, they get suckered.



So I'd like you to actually house-hunt the normal way, so you can develop a reference. So you know what normal home sell prices are, what interest rates you qualify for, etc.




  • It's true. Lots of towns punish landlords because they don't want rental properties junking up their fine town. These harassment fees, such as this inspection or higher property tax rates, go away -- hence your landlord's interest.

  • Land contracts often don't have down payments, mortgages almost always do for most people in the market for a land contract

  • It moves the property tax burden to you. The amount of this property tax is public record. Signing a land contract may increase the property's paper value, which increases its property tax.

  • It moves maintenance to you.

  • You must maintain so the lender (former landlord) doesn't lose value in his collateral.

  • But you can do your own work; only pros can work on rental properties.

  • If you manage your finances well, it builds home equity for you.

  • However, the equity belongs to the seller until you successfully finish the land contract.

  • The usual way to finish the land contract is, refinance with a regular bank mortagage - with mortgages, the equity belongs to you.

  • The paper "purchase price" on the land contract may seem unimportant. It's a huge deal. It is the purchase price you are agreeing to pay. A bad deal makes it impossible to finish the land contract by converting it to a real mortgage. Make sure it is market competitive!

  • If your lease goes month-to-month, the landlord can evict you for any or no reason* on a month's notice. Not on a land contract! You'd have to miss a payment (one is enough) or do something blatant like not maintain the place.


Land contracts are very often offered by landlords to tenants who don't have the financial skill to manage the asset. This ends up playing out just like a rental for the landlord, except the tenant paid the property tax and maintenance too, so worse for the tenant.



One way land contracts can work in your favor is if the market causes the property to appreciate in value. That creates equity. That belongs to you if you can finish the land contract.





* except certain illegal reasons, and except in rent-control areas.






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  • There are some problems with this answer. many land contracts do include a down payment, although others do not. "They cannot evict you like they could in an at-will rental" The owner cannot evict for no reason, but any missed payment or other breech of the agreement can lead to eviction >the rest of this answer looks good to me..OP wrote in a comment "I am not planning on buying the property"

    – David Siegel
    4 hours ago











  • @DavidSiegel Thanks. Fixed.

    – Harper
    4 hours ago











  • Yeah I made about 6 passes at how to say that compactly, and the 30-day thing got dropped by accident. Thanks for the edit.

    – Harper
    4 hours ago





















-4














Tax wise, you don't have to pay taxes on someone else's property. The same goes for the inspection. He has to be inspected because he is renting to someone else, you aren't.



He isn't selling you land, if you are paying him for the apartment, you are still a renter, so no matter what he calls it, the building must be inspected, because someone lives there.






share|improve this answer
























  • But what's the advantage for him if he makes it a land contract?

    – BooleanCheese
    12 hours ago











  • There isn't one. People have tried crazy things to get out of paying fees and such since the beginning of time.

    – Putvi
    12 hours ago











  • Land contract is supposed to mean that he takes no interest in it while you pay for it buy the month, but if he is using it to rent to you as in he would own it, he gets no benefits. Hes just trying to change the wording to cheat the city and not live up to what it really should mean.

    – Putvi
    12 hours ago








  • 4





    This answer appears to misunderstand what a land contract is in Ohio, and make assertions which are not or may not be true. See my answer.

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago






  • 5





    OP doesn't really know what LL is offering, because OP hasn't seen the contract yet. If it purports to be a land contract, and fulfills the legal minimum under Sec 5313, it is a land contract, and OP may be on the hook for taxes and repairs. If the offered contract does not comply with 5313, it is hard to say what effect it will have, but OP will have given up any lease, it seems. OP might then be renting month-to-month. But who knows?

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago












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3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes








3 Answers
3






active

oldest

votes









active

oldest

votes






active

oldest

votes









20














A "land contract" is not a way of renting property, it is a way of purchasing property on an installment basis without bank financing. It is Ohio's version of what in some other places is known as "contract for deed".



See "What is a Land Contract in Ohio" and "How Land Contracts Work" The actual law is Section 5313.



In a land contract, the buyer has equitable but not legal title. The buyer normally pays all taxes and fees, and is responsible for maintaining the property, just as if s/he has bought the property. But if the buyer defaults, all payments and equity would be forfeit to the seller. Until the buyer has paid 20% of the purchase price, or made 5 years of payments (whichever comes first) a single missed payment constitutes default and can lead to the buyer being evicted with all payments to date going to the seller, the buyer coming out of the deal with nothing.



Also, if the seller still has a mortgage and defaults, the buyer may lose everything paid to date. The buyer does not have the protections that a lease gives a tenant, nor the protections that legal title gives a purchaser via a traditional mortgage.



Land contracts are often used when the buyer cannot qualify for a mortgage.



The buyer pays interest, and it is often at a higher rate than the current rate on a mortgage.



Land contracts are often a form of predatory lending, but for some buyers they make sense. A buyer needs to carefully review the contract with a lawyer knowledgeable about land contracts, and consider the risks and benefits of this form of financing.



As I understand it, there cannot be a valid land contract for one apartment in an apartment building. A land contract must be for title to the land and all fixtures, including all buildings, on it. (There was at one point some unclarity if the question refereed to an apartment. It is now clear that it refers to a house, so this statement is not relevant to the OP, but may be to others.)



It is not clear just what the OP's landlord (LL) has in mind. It may be that LL plans to offer a "land contract" in which the purchase would be completed only after a very long time, with the idea that the OP woulkd simply default when s/he wanted to move. Such a default could harm the OP's credit. There seems no benefit to the OP in such a scheme compared to a lease, unless LL will lower the price significantly, taking into account maintenance costs and taxes, which OP may well be expected to pay under a land contract.



Note that a landlord can't legally force a tenant to sign a document cancelling a lease, or to sign whatever s/he will call a "land contract". Nor can s/he cancel the lease without the tenant's consent except for good cause as specified in the law (such as not paying rent). S/He could become uncooperative on other matters if a tenant doesn't do as s/he wants.



If a tenant does cancel his or her lease, s/he lose some rights. Others are guaranteed by law as long as the tenant is paying rent. If one signs a "land contract" what happens depends on its provisions.



OP needs to very carefully consider just what is being offered, and its risks and any possible benefits. Details of the contract will matter.



No matter exactly what LL has in mind, this is not at all a usual procedure for a landlord. OP or anyone in a similar circumstance should be very careful.






share|improve this answer





















  • 5





    The tags are what OP thinks applies, and it is a rental now. LL may well be trying to distort or misuse a "land contract", we can't really tell without seeing the proposed contract. LL may have a crazy idea that won't work, but it may harm OP in the process, if OP goes along.

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago






  • 1





    @Putvi You are correct in that I am not planning on buying the property and had never even heard the term before today. I do not plan on signing the land contract and I have given no cause for my landlord to terminate the current lease, but this is probably enough concern for me to find elsewhere to move when this lease is up. I have not been offered any form of compensation to sign the land contract and my landlord thinks that I'll voluntarily agree to terminate the lease and sign the land contract for the sake of helping him screw the city. This is all based on a single phonecall.

    – BooleanCheese
    10 hours ago








  • 5





    @BooleanCheese the landlord cna't legally force you to sign a document cancelling your lease, or to sign whatever he will call a "land contract". Nor can he cancel the lease without your consent except for good cause as specified in the law (such as not paying rent). He could become uncooperative on other matters if you don't do as he wants. If you do cancel your lease, you lose some rights. Others are guaranteed by law as long as you are paying rent. If you sign a "land contract" what happens depends on its provisions.

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago






  • 7





    It may be worth mentioning that if the OP signs this contract with the knowledge of the LL intending to defraud the municipality, that the OP would be guilty of participating in the fraud. There is no reason that the OP should sign this contract unless they have actual intention to participate in the land contract for a valid reason.

    – Ron Beyer
    9 hours ago






  • 1





    "As I understand it, there cannot be a valid land contract for one apartment in an apartment building. A land contract must be for title to the land and all fixtures, including all buildings, on it." The OP mentions they are renting a house.

    – Azor Ahai
    9 hours ago
















20














A "land contract" is not a way of renting property, it is a way of purchasing property on an installment basis without bank financing. It is Ohio's version of what in some other places is known as "contract for deed".



See "What is a Land Contract in Ohio" and "How Land Contracts Work" The actual law is Section 5313.



In a land contract, the buyer has equitable but not legal title. The buyer normally pays all taxes and fees, and is responsible for maintaining the property, just as if s/he has bought the property. But if the buyer defaults, all payments and equity would be forfeit to the seller. Until the buyer has paid 20% of the purchase price, or made 5 years of payments (whichever comes first) a single missed payment constitutes default and can lead to the buyer being evicted with all payments to date going to the seller, the buyer coming out of the deal with nothing.



Also, if the seller still has a mortgage and defaults, the buyer may lose everything paid to date. The buyer does not have the protections that a lease gives a tenant, nor the protections that legal title gives a purchaser via a traditional mortgage.



Land contracts are often used when the buyer cannot qualify for a mortgage.



The buyer pays interest, and it is often at a higher rate than the current rate on a mortgage.



Land contracts are often a form of predatory lending, but for some buyers they make sense. A buyer needs to carefully review the contract with a lawyer knowledgeable about land contracts, and consider the risks and benefits of this form of financing.



As I understand it, there cannot be a valid land contract for one apartment in an apartment building. A land contract must be for title to the land and all fixtures, including all buildings, on it. (There was at one point some unclarity if the question refereed to an apartment. It is now clear that it refers to a house, so this statement is not relevant to the OP, but may be to others.)



It is not clear just what the OP's landlord (LL) has in mind. It may be that LL plans to offer a "land contract" in which the purchase would be completed only after a very long time, with the idea that the OP woulkd simply default when s/he wanted to move. Such a default could harm the OP's credit. There seems no benefit to the OP in such a scheme compared to a lease, unless LL will lower the price significantly, taking into account maintenance costs and taxes, which OP may well be expected to pay under a land contract.



Note that a landlord can't legally force a tenant to sign a document cancelling a lease, or to sign whatever s/he will call a "land contract". Nor can s/he cancel the lease without the tenant's consent except for good cause as specified in the law (such as not paying rent). S/He could become uncooperative on other matters if a tenant doesn't do as s/he wants.



If a tenant does cancel his or her lease, s/he lose some rights. Others are guaranteed by law as long as the tenant is paying rent. If one signs a "land contract" what happens depends on its provisions.



OP needs to very carefully consider just what is being offered, and its risks and any possible benefits. Details of the contract will matter.



No matter exactly what LL has in mind, this is not at all a usual procedure for a landlord. OP or anyone in a similar circumstance should be very careful.






share|improve this answer





















  • 5





    The tags are what OP thinks applies, and it is a rental now. LL may well be trying to distort or misuse a "land contract", we can't really tell without seeing the proposed contract. LL may have a crazy idea that won't work, but it may harm OP in the process, if OP goes along.

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago






  • 1





    @Putvi You are correct in that I am not planning on buying the property and had never even heard the term before today. I do not plan on signing the land contract and I have given no cause for my landlord to terminate the current lease, but this is probably enough concern for me to find elsewhere to move when this lease is up. I have not been offered any form of compensation to sign the land contract and my landlord thinks that I'll voluntarily agree to terminate the lease and sign the land contract for the sake of helping him screw the city. This is all based on a single phonecall.

    – BooleanCheese
    10 hours ago








  • 5





    @BooleanCheese the landlord cna't legally force you to sign a document cancelling your lease, or to sign whatever he will call a "land contract". Nor can he cancel the lease without your consent except for good cause as specified in the law (such as not paying rent). He could become uncooperative on other matters if you don't do as he wants. If you do cancel your lease, you lose some rights. Others are guaranteed by law as long as you are paying rent. If you sign a "land contract" what happens depends on its provisions.

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago






  • 7





    It may be worth mentioning that if the OP signs this contract with the knowledge of the LL intending to defraud the municipality, that the OP would be guilty of participating in the fraud. There is no reason that the OP should sign this contract unless they have actual intention to participate in the land contract for a valid reason.

    – Ron Beyer
    9 hours ago






  • 1





    "As I understand it, there cannot be a valid land contract for one apartment in an apartment building. A land contract must be for title to the land and all fixtures, including all buildings, on it." The OP mentions they are renting a house.

    – Azor Ahai
    9 hours ago














20












20








20







A "land contract" is not a way of renting property, it is a way of purchasing property on an installment basis without bank financing. It is Ohio's version of what in some other places is known as "contract for deed".



See "What is a Land Contract in Ohio" and "How Land Contracts Work" The actual law is Section 5313.



In a land contract, the buyer has equitable but not legal title. The buyer normally pays all taxes and fees, and is responsible for maintaining the property, just as if s/he has bought the property. But if the buyer defaults, all payments and equity would be forfeit to the seller. Until the buyer has paid 20% of the purchase price, or made 5 years of payments (whichever comes first) a single missed payment constitutes default and can lead to the buyer being evicted with all payments to date going to the seller, the buyer coming out of the deal with nothing.



Also, if the seller still has a mortgage and defaults, the buyer may lose everything paid to date. The buyer does not have the protections that a lease gives a tenant, nor the protections that legal title gives a purchaser via a traditional mortgage.



Land contracts are often used when the buyer cannot qualify for a mortgage.



The buyer pays interest, and it is often at a higher rate than the current rate on a mortgage.



Land contracts are often a form of predatory lending, but for some buyers they make sense. A buyer needs to carefully review the contract with a lawyer knowledgeable about land contracts, and consider the risks and benefits of this form of financing.



As I understand it, there cannot be a valid land contract for one apartment in an apartment building. A land contract must be for title to the land and all fixtures, including all buildings, on it. (There was at one point some unclarity if the question refereed to an apartment. It is now clear that it refers to a house, so this statement is not relevant to the OP, but may be to others.)



It is not clear just what the OP's landlord (LL) has in mind. It may be that LL plans to offer a "land contract" in which the purchase would be completed only after a very long time, with the idea that the OP woulkd simply default when s/he wanted to move. Such a default could harm the OP's credit. There seems no benefit to the OP in such a scheme compared to a lease, unless LL will lower the price significantly, taking into account maintenance costs and taxes, which OP may well be expected to pay under a land contract.



Note that a landlord can't legally force a tenant to sign a document cancelling a lease, or to sign whatever s/he will call a "land contract". Nor can s/he cancel the lease without the tenant's consent except for good cause as specified in the law (such as not paying rent). S/He could become uncooperative on other matters if a tenant doesn't do as s/he wants.



If a tenant does cancel his or her lease, s/he lose some rights. Others are guaranteed by law as long as the tenant is paying rent. If one signs a "land contract" what happens depends on its provisions.



OP needs to very carefully consider just what is being offered, and its risks and any possible benefits. Details of the contract will matter.



No matter exactly what LL has in mind, this is not at all a usual procedure for a landlord. OP or anyone in a similar circumstance should be very careful.






share|improve this answer















A "land contract" is not a way of renting property, it is a way of purchasing property on an installment basis without bank financing. It is Ohio's version of what in some other places is known as "contract for deed".



See "What is a Land Contract in Ohio" and "How Land Contracts Work" The actual law is Section 5313.



In a land contract, the buyer has equitable but not legal title. The buyer normally pays all taxes and fees, and is responsible for maintaining the property, just as if s/he has bought the property. But if the buyer defaults, all payments and equity would be forfeit to the seller. Until the buyer has paid 20% of the purchase price, or made 5 years of payments (whichever comes first) a single missed payment constitutes default and can lead to the buyer being evicted with all payments to date going to the seller, the buyer coming out of the deal with nothing.



Also, if the seller still has a mortgage and defaults, the buyer may lose everything paid to date. The buyer does not have the protections that a lease gives a tenant, nor the protections that legal title gives a purchaser via a traditional mortgage.



Land contracts are often used when the buyer cannot qualify for a mortgage.



The buyer pays interest, and it is often at a higher rate than the current rate on a mortgage.



Land contracts are often a form of predatory lending, but for some buyers they make sense. A buyer needs to carefully review the contract with a lawyer knowledgeable about land contracts, and consider the risks and benefits of this form of financing.



As I understand it, there cannot be a valid land contract for one apartment in an apartment building. A land contract must be for title to the land and all fixtures, including all buildings, on it. (There was at one point some unclarity if the question refereed to an apartment. It is now clear that it refers to a house, so this statement is not relevant to the OP, but may be to others.)



It is not clear just what the OP's landlord (LL) has in mind. It may be that LL plans to offer a "land contract" in which the purchase would be completed only after a very long time, with the idea that the OP woulkd simply default when s/he wanted to move. Such a default could harm the OP's credit. There seems no benefit to the OP in such a scheme compared to a lease, unless LL will lower the price significantly, taking into account maintenance costs and taxes, which OP may well be expected to pay under a land contract.



Note that a landlord can't legally force a tenant to sign a document cancelling a lease, or to sign whatever s/he will call a "land contract". Nor can s/he cancel the lease without the tenant's consent except for good cause as specified in the law (such as not paying rent). S/He could become uncooperative on other matters if a tenant doesn't do as s/he wants.



If a tenant does cancel his or her lease, s/he lose some rights. Others are guaranteed by law as long as the tenant is paying rent. If one signs a "land contract" what happens depends on its provisions.



OP needs to very carefully consider just what is being offered, and its risks and any possible benefits. Details of the contract will matter.



No matter exactly what LL has in mind, this is not at all a usual procedure for a landlord. OP or anyone in a similar circumstance should be very careful.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited 5 hours ago

























answered 10 hours ago









David SiegelDavid Siegel

16.3k3365




16.3k3365








  • 5





    The tags are what OP thinks applies, and it is a rental now. LL may well be trying to distort or misuse a "land contract", we can't really tell without seeing the proposed contract. LL may have a crazy idea that won't work, but it may harm OP in the process, if OP goes along.

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago






  • 1





    @Putvi You are correct in that I am not planning on buying the property and had never even heard the term before today. I do not plan on signing the land contract and I have given no cause for my landlord to terminate the current lease, but this is probably enough concern for me to find elsewhere to move when this lease is up. I have not been offered any form of compensation to sign the land contract and my landlord thinks that I'll voluntarily agree to terminate the lease and sign the land contract for the sake of helping him screw the city. This is all based on a single phonecall.

    – BooleanCheese
    10 hours ago








  • 5





    @BooleanCheese the landlord cna't legally force you to sign a document cancelling your lease, or to sign whatever he will call a "land contract". Nor can he cancel the lease without your consent except for good cause as specified in the law (such as not paying rent). He could become uncooperative on other matters if you don't do as he wants. If you do cancel your lease, you lose some rights. Others are guaranteed by law as long as you are paying rent. If you sign a "land contract" what happens depends on its provisions.

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago






  • 7





    It may be worth mentioning that if the OP signs this contract with the knowledge of the LL intending to defraud the municipality, that the OP would be guilty of participating in the fraud. There is no reason that the OP should sign this contract unless they have actual intention to participate in the land contract for a valid reason.

    – Ron Beyer
    9 hours ago






  • 1





    "As I understand it, there cannot be a valid land contract for one apartment in an apartment building. A land contract must be for title to the land and all fixtures, including all buildings, on it." The OP mentions they are renting a house.

    – Azor Ahai
    9 hours ago














  • 5





    The tags are what OP thinks applies, and it is a rental now. LL may well be trying to distort or misuse a "land contract", we can't really tell without seeing the proposed contract. LL may have a crazy idea that won't work, but it may harm OP in the process, if OP goes along.

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago






  • 1





    @Putvi You are correct in that I am not planning on buying the property and had never even heard the term before today. I do not plan on signing the land contract and I have given no cause for my landlord to terminate the current lease, but this is probably enough concern for me to find elsewhere to move when this lease is up. I have not been offered any form of compensation to sign the land contract and my landlord thinks that I'll voluntarily agree to terminate the lease and sign the land contract for the sake of helping him screw the city. This is all based on a single phonecall.

    – BooleanCheese
    10 hours ago








  • 5





    @BooleanCheese the landlord cna't legally force you to sign a document cancelling your lease, or to sign whatever he will call a "land contract". Nor can he cancel the lease without your consent except for good cause as specified in the law (such as not paying rent). He could become uncooperative on other matters if you don't do as he wants. If you do cancel your lease, you lose some rights. Others are guaranteed by law as long as you are paying rent. If you sign a "land contract" what happens depends on its provisions.

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago






  • 7





    It may be worth mentioning that if the OP signs this contract with the knowledge of the LL intending to defraud the municipality, that the OP would be guilty of participating in the fraud. There is no reason that the OP should sign this contract unless they have actual intention to participate in the land contract for a valid reason.

    – Ron Beyer
    9 hours ago






  • 1





    "As I understand it, there cannot be a valid land contract for one apartment in an apartment building. A land contract must be for title to the land and all fixtures, including all buildings, on it." The OP mentions they are renting a house.

    – Azor Ahai
    9 hours ago








5




5





The tags are what OP thinks applies, and it is a rental now. LL may well be trying to distort or misuse a "land contract", we can't really tell without seeing the proposed contract. LL may have a crazy idea that won't work, but it may harm OP in the process, if OP goes along.

– David Siegel
10 hours ago





The tags are what OP thinks applies, and it is a rental now. LL may well be trying to distort or misuse a "land contract", we can't really tell without seeing the proposed contract. LL may have a crazy idea that won't work, but it may harm OP in the process, if OP goes along.

– David Siegel
10 hours ago




1




1





@Putvi You are correct in that I am not planning on buying the property and had never even heard the term before today. I do not plan on signing the land contract and I have given no cause for my landlord to terminate the current lease, but this is probably enough concern for me to find elsewhere to move when this lease is up. I have not been offered any form of compensation to sign the land contract and my landlord thinks that I'll voluntarily agree to terminate the lease and sign the land contract for the sake of helping him screw the city. This is all based on a single phonecall.

– BooleanCheese
10 hours ago







@Putvi You are correct in that I am not planning on buying the property and had never even heard the term before today. I do not plan on signing the land contract and I have given no cause for my landlord to terminate the current lease, but this is probably enough concern for me to find elsewhere to move when this lease is up. I have not been offered any form of compensation to sign the land contract and my landlord thinks that I'll voluntarily agree to terminate the lease and sign the land contract for the sake of helping him screw the city. This is all based on a single phonecall.

– BooleanCheese
10 hours ago






5




5





@BooleanCheese the landlord cna't legally force you to sign a document cancelling your lease, or to sign whatever he will call a "land contract". Nor can he cancel the lease without your consent except for good cause as specified in the law (such as not paying rent). He could become uncooperative on other matters if you don't do as he wants. If you do cancel your lease, you lose some rights. Others are guaranteed by law as long as you are paying rent. If you sign a "land contract" what happens depends on its provisions.

– David Siegel
10 hours ago





@BooleanCheese the landlord cna't legally force you to sign a document cancelling your lease, or to sign whatever he will call a "land contract". Nor can he cancel the lease without your consent except for good cause as specified in the law (such as not paying rent). He could become uncooperative on other matters if you don't do as he wants. If you do cancel your lease, you lose some rights. Others are guaranteed by law as long as you are paying rent. If you sign a "land contract" what happens depends on its provisions.

– David Siegel
10 hours ago




7




7





It may be worth mentioning that if the OP signs this contract with the knowledge of the LL intending to defraud the municipality, that the OP would be guilty of participating in the fraud. There is no reason that the OP should sign this contract unless they have actual intention to participate in the land contract for a valid reason.

– Ron Beyer
9 hours ago





It may be worth mentioning that if the OP signs this contract with the knowledge of the LL intending to defraud the municipality, that the OP would be guilty of participating in the fraud. There is no reason that the OP should sign this contract unless they have actual intention to participate in the land contract for a valid reason.

– Ron Beyer
9 hours ago




1




1





"As I understand it, there cannot be a valid land contract for one apartment in an apartment building. A land contract must be for title to the land and all fixtures, including all buildings, on it." The OP mentions they are renting a house.

– Azor Ahai
9 hours ago





"As I understand it, there cannot be a valid land contract for one apartment in an apartment building. A land contract must be for title to the land and all fixtures, including all buildings, on it." The OP mentions they are renting a house.

– Azor Ahai
9 hours ago











2














This is buying a house. If that's not what you mean to do, watch out! Even so, watch out.



Honestly, if it hadn't occurred to you until now to buy a house, this isn't for you. If this has piqued your interest in buying a house, explore doing it the normal way with bank mortgage, realtor, all that.



Land contracts are often thought of as "exploitive", and this very thing here is why. They are often offered to lifetime rental tenants who are totally inexperienced at house-buying, and don't know a good or bad deal when they see one. They have no reference for comparison. As such, they get suckered.



So I'd like you to actually house-hunt the normal way, so you can develop a reference. So you know what normal home sell prices are, what interest rates you qualify for, etc.




  • It's true. Lots of towns punish landlords because they don't want rental properties junking up their fine town. These harassment fees, such as this inspection or higher property tax rates, go away -- hence your landlord's interest.

  • Land contracts often don't have down payments, mortgages almost always do for most people in the market for a land contract

  • It moves the property tax burden to you. The amount of this property tax is public record. Signing a land contract may increase the property's paper value, which increases its property tax.

  • It moves maintenance to you.

  • You must maintain so the lender (former landlord) doesn't lose value in his collateral.

  • But you can do your own work; only pros can work on rental properties.

  • If you manage your finances well, it builds home equity for you.

  • However, the equity belongs to the seller until you successfully finish the land contract.

  • The usual way to finish the land contract is, refinance with a regular bank mortagage - with mortgages, the equity belongs to you.

  • The paper "purchase price" on the land contract may seem unimportant. It's a huge deal. It is the purchase price you are agreeing to pay. A bad deal makes it impossible to finish the land contract by converting it to a real mortgage. Make sure it is market competitive!

  • If your lease goes month-to-month, the landlord can evict you for any or no reason* on a month's notice. Not on a land contract! You'd have to miss a payment (one is enough) or do something blatant like not maintain the place.


Land contracts are very often offered by landlords to tenants who don't have the financial skill to manage the asset. This ends up playing out just like a rental for the landlord, except the tenant paid the property tax and maintenance too, so worse for the tenant.



One way land contracts can work in your favor is if the market causes the property to appreciate in value. That creates equity. That belongs to you if you can finish the land contract.





* except certain illegal reasons, and except in rent-control areas.






share|improve this answer


























  • There are some problems with this answer. many land contracts do include a down payment, although others do not. "They cannot evict you like they could in an at-will rental" The owner cannot evict for no reason, but any missed payment or other breech of the agreement can lead to eviction >the rest of this answer looks good to me..OP wrote in a comment "I am not planning on buying the property"

    – David Siegel
    4 hours ago











  • @DavidSiegel Thanks. Fixed.

    – Harper
    4 hours ago











  • Yeah I made about 6 passes at how to say that compactly, and the 30-day thing got dropped by accident. Thanks for the edit.

    – Harper
    4 hours ago


















2














This is buying a house. If that's not what you mean to do, watch out! Even so, watch out.



Honestly, if it hadn't occurred to you until now to buy a house, this isn't for you. If this has piqued your interest in buying a house, explore doing it the normal way with bank mortgage, realtor, all that.



Land contracts are often thought of as "exploitive", and this very thing here is why. They are often offered to lifetime rental tenants who are totally inexperienced at house-buying, and don't know a good or bad deal when they see one. They have no reference for comparison. As such, they get suckered.



So I'd like you to actually house-hunt the normal way, so you can develop a reference. So you know what normal home sell prices are, what interest rates you qualify for, etc.




  • It's true. Lots of towns punish landlords because they don't want rental properties junking up their fine town. These harassment fees, such as this inspection or higher property tax rates, go away -- hence your landlord's interest.

  • Land contracts often don't have down payments, mortgages almost always do for most people in the market for a land contract

  • It moves the property tax burden to you. The amount of this property tax is public record. Signing a land contract may increase the property's paper value, which increases its property tax.

  • It moves maintenance to you.

  • You must maintain so the lender (former landlord) doesn't lose value in his collateral.

  • But you can do your own work; only pros can work on rental properties.

  • If you manage your finances well, it builds home equity for you.

  • However, the equity belongs to the seller until you successfully finish the land contract.

  • The usual way to finish the land contract is, refinance with a regular bank mortagage - with mortgages, the equity belongs to you.

  • The paper "purchase price" on the land contract may seem unimportant. It's a huge deal. It is the purchase price you are agreeing to pay. A bad deal makes it impossible to finish the land contract by converting it to a real mortgage. Make sure it is market competitive!

  • If your lease goes month-to-month, the landlord can evict you for any or no reason* on a month's notice. Not on a land contract! You'd have to miss a payment (one is enough) or do something blatant like not maintain the place.


Land contracts are very often offered by landlords to tenants who don't have the financial skill to manage the asset. This ends up playing out just like a rental for the landlord, except the tenant paid the property tax and maintenance too, so worse for the tenant.



One way land contracts can work in your favor is if the market causes the property to appreciate in value. That creates equity. That belongs to you if you can finish the land contract.





* except certain illegal reasons, and except in rent-control areas.






share|improve this answer


























  • There are some problems with this answer. many land contracts do include a down payment, although others do not. "They cannot evict you like they could in an at-will rental" The owner cannot evict for no reason, but any missed payment or other breech of the agreement can lead to eviction >the rest of this answer looks good to me..OP wrote in a comment "I am not planning on buying the property"

    – David Siegel
    4 hours ago











  • @DavidSiegel Thanks. Fixed.

    – Harper
    4 hours ago











  • Yeah I made about 6 passes at how to say that compactly, and the 30-day thing got dropped by accident. Thanks for the edit.

    – Harper
    4 hours ago
















2












2








2







This is buying a house. If that's not what you mean to do, watch out! Even so, watch out.



Honestly, if it hadn't occurred to you until now to buy a house, this isn't for you. If this has piqued your interest in buying a house, explore doing it the normal way with bank mortgage, realtor, all that.



Land contracts are often thought of as "exploitive", and this very thing here is why. They are often offered to lifetime rental tenants who are totally inexperienced at house-buying, and don't know a good or bad deal when they see one. They have no reference for comparison. As such, they get suckered.



So I'd like you to actually house-hunt the normal way, so you can develop a reference. So you know what normal home sell prices are, what interest rates you qualify for, etc.




  • It's true. Lots of towns punish landlords because they don't want rental properties junking up their fine town. These harassment fees, such as this inspection or higher property tax rates, go away -- hence your landlord's interest.

  • Land contracts often don't have down payments, mortgages almost always do for most people in the market for a land contract

  • It moves the property tax burden to you. The amount of this property tax is public record. Signing a land contract may increase the property's paper value, which increases its property tax.

  • It moves maintenance to you.

  • You must maintain so the lender (former landlord) doesn't lose value in his collateral.

  • But you can do your own work; only pros can work on rental properties.

  • If you manage your finances well, it builds home equity for you.

  • However, the equity belongs to the seller until you successfully finish the land contract.

  • The usual way to finish the land contract is, refinance with a regular bank mortagage - with mortgages, the equity belongs to you.

  • The paper "purchase price" on the land contract may seem unimportant. It's a huge deal. It is the purchase price you are agreeing to pay. A bad deal makes it impossible to finish the land contract by converting it to a real mortgage. Make sure it is market competitive!

  • If your lease goes month-to-month, the landlord can evict you for any or no reason* on a month's notice. Not on a land contract! You'd have to miss a payment (one is enough) or do something blatant like not maintain the place.


Land contracts are very often offered by landlords to tenants who don't have the financial skill to manage the asset. This ends up playing out just like a rental for the landlord, except the tenant paid the property tax and maintenance too, so worse for the tenant.



One way land contracts can work in your favor is if the market causes the property to appreciate in value. That creates equity. That belongs to you if you can finish the land contract.





* except certain illegal reasons, and except in rent-control areas.






share|improve this answer















This is buying a house. If that's not what you mean to do, watch out! Even so, watch out.



Honestly, if it hadn't occurred to you until now to buy a house, this isn't for you. If this has piqued your interest in buying a house, explore doing it the normal way with bank mortgage, realtor, all that.



Land contracts are often thought of as "exploitive", and this very thing here is why. They are often offered to lifetime rental tenants who are totally inexperienced at house-buying, and don't know a good or bad deal when they see one. They have no reference for comparison. As such, they get suckered.



So I'd like you to actually house-hunt the normal way, so you can develop a reference. So you know what normal home sell prices are, what interest rates you qualify for, etc.




  • It's true. Lots of towns punish landlords because they don't want rental properties junking up their fine town. These harassment fees, such as this inspection or higher property tax rates, go away -- hence your landlord's interest.

  • Land contracts often don't have down payments, mortgages almost always do for most people in the market for a land contract

  • It moves the property tax burden to you. The amount of this property tax is public record. Signing a land contract may increase the property's paper value, which increases its property tax.

  • It moves maintenance to you.

  • You must maintain so the lender (former landlord) doesn't lose value in his collateral.

  • But you can do your own work; only pros can work on rental properties.

  • If you manage your finances well, it builds home equity for you.

  • However, the equity belongs to the seller until you successfully finish the land contract.

  • The usual way to finish the land contract is, refinance with a regular bank mortagage - with mortgages, the equity belongs to you.

  • The paper "purchase price" on the land contract may seem unimportant. It's a huge deal. It is the purchase price you are agreeing to pay. A bad deal makes it impossible to finish the land contract by converting it to a real mortgage. Make sure it is market competitive!

  • If your lease goes month-to-month, the landlord can evict you for any or no reason* on a month's notice. Not on a land contract! You'd have to miss a payment (one is enough) or do something blatant like not maintain the place.


Land contracts are very often offered by landlords to tenants who don't have the financial skill to manage the asset. This ends up playing out just like a rental for the landlord, except the tenant paid the property tax and maintenance too, so worse for the tenant.



One way land contracts can work in your favor is if the market causes the property to appreciate in value. That creates equity. That belongs to you if you can finish the land contract.





* except certain illegal reasons, and except in rent-control areas.







share|improve this answer














share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer








edited 4 hours ago









David Siegel

16.3k3365




16.3k3365










answered 5 hours ago









HarperHarper

3,1191217




3,1191217













  • There are some problems with this answer. many land contracts do include a down payment, although others do not. "They cannot evict you like they could in an at-will rental" The owner cannot evict for no reason, but any missed payment or other breech of the agreement can lead to eviction >the rest of this answer looks good to me..OP wrote in a comment "I am not planning on buying the property"

    – David Siegel
    4 hours ago











  • @DavidSiegel Thanks. Fixed.

    – Harper
    4 hours ago











  • Yeah I made about 6 passes at how to say that compactly, and the 30-day thing got dropped by accident. Thanks for the edit.

    – Harper
    4 hours ago





















  • There are some problems with this answer. many land contracts do include a down payment, although others do not. "They cannot evict you like they could in an at-will rental" The owner cannot evict for no reason, but any missed payment or other breech of the agreement can lead to eviction >the rest of this answer looks good to me..OP wrote in a comment "I am not planning on buying the property"

    – David Siegel
    4 hours ago











  • @DavidSiegel Thanks. Fixed.

    – Harper
    4 hours ago











  • Yeah I made about 6 passes at how to say that compactly, and the 30-day thing got dropped by accident. Thanks for the edit.

    – Harper
    4 hours ago



















There are some problems with this answer. many land contracts do include a down payment, although others do not. "They cannot evict you like they could in an at-will rental" The owner cannot evict for no reason, but any missed payment or other breech of the agreement can lead to eviction >the rest of this answer looks good to me..OP wrote in a comment "I am not planning on buying the property"

– David Siegel
4 hours ago





There are some problems with this answer. many land contracts do include a down payment, although others do not. "They cannot evict you like they could in an at-will rental" The owner cannot evict for no reason, but any missed payment or other breech of the agreement can lead to eviction >the rest of this answer looks good to me..OP wrote in a comment "I am not planning on buying the property"

– David Siegel
4 hours ago













@DavidSiegel Thanks. Fixed.

– Harper
4 hours ago





@DavidSiegel Thanks. Fixed.

– Harper
4 hours ago













Yeah I made about 6 passes at how to say that compactly, and the 30-day thing got dropped by accident. Thanks for the edit.

– Harper
4 hours ago







Yeah I made about 6 passes at how to say that compactly, and the 30-day thing got dropped by accident. Thanks for the edit.

– Harper
4 hours ago













-4














Tax wise, you don't have to pay taxes on someone else's property. The same goes for the inspection. He has to be inspected because he is renting to someone else, you aren't.



He isn't selling you land, if you are paying him for the apartment, you are still a renter, so no matter what he calls it, the building must be inspected, because someone lives there.






share|improve this answer
























  • But what's the advantage for him if he makes it a land contract?

    – BooleanCheese
    12 hours ago











  • There isn't one. People have tried crazy things to get out of paying fees and such since the beginning of time.

    – Putvi
    12 hours ago











  • Land contract is supposed to mean that he takes no interest in it while you pay for it buy the month, but if he is using it to rent to you as in he would own it, he gets no benefits. Hes just trying to change the wording to cheat the city and not live up to what it really should mean.

    – Putvi
    12 hours ago








  • 4





    This answer appears to misunderstand what a land contract is in Ohio, and make assertions which are not or may not be true. See my answer.

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago






  • 5





    OP doesn't really know what LL is offering, because OP hasn't seen the contract yet. If it purports to be a land contract, and fulfills the legal minimum under Sec 5313, it is a land contract, and OP may be on the hook for taxes and repairs. If the offered contract does not comply with 5313, it is hard to say what effect it will have, but OP will have given up any lease, it seems. OP might then be renting month-to-month. But who knows?

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago
















-4














Tax wise, you don't have to pay taxes on someone else's property. The same goes for the inspection. He has to be inspected because he is renting to someone else, you aren't.



He isn't selling you land, if you are paying him for the apartment, you are still a renter, so no matter what he calls it, the building must be inspected, because someone lives there.






share|improve this answer
























  • But what's the advantage for him if he makes it a land contract?

    – BooleanCheese
    12 hours ago











  • There isn't one. People have tried crazy things to get out of paying fees and such since the beginning of time.

    – Putvi
    12 hours ago











  • Land contract is supposed to mean that he takes no interest in it while you pay for it buy the month, but if he is using it to rent to you as in he would own it, he gets no benefits. Hes just trying to change the wording to cheat the city and not live up to what it really should mean.

    – Putvi
    12 hours ago








  • 4





    This answer appears to misunderstand what a land contract is in Ohio, and make assertions which are not or may not be true. See my answer.

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago






  • 5





    OP doesn't really know what LL is offering, because OP hasn't seen the contract yet. If it purports to be a land contract, and fulfills the legal minimum under Sec 5313, it is a land contract, and OP may be on the hook for taxes and repairs. If the offered contract does not comply with 5313, it is hard to say what effect it will have, but OP will have given up any lease, it seems. OP might then be renting month-to-month. But who knows?

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago














-4












-4








-4







Tax wise, you don't have to pay taxes on someone else's property. The same goes for the inspection. He has to be inspected because he is renting to someone else, you aren't.



He isn't selling you land, if you are paying him for the apartment, you are still a renter, so no matter what he calls it, the building must be inspected, because someone lives there.






share|improve this answer













Tax wise, you don't have to pay taxes on someone else's property. The same goes for the inspection. He has to be inspected because he is renting to someone else, you aren't.



He isn't selling you land, if you are paying him for the apartment, you are still a renter, so no matter what he calls it, the building must be inspected, because someone lives there.







share|improve this answer












share|improve this answer



share|improve this answer










answered 13 hours ago









PutviPutvi

70718




70718













  • But what's the advantage for him if he makes it a land contract?

    – BooleanCheese
    12 hours ago











  • There isn't one. People have tried crazy things to get out of paying fees and such since the beginning of time.

    – Putvi
    12 hours ago











  • Land contract is supposed to mean that he takes no interest in it while you pay for it buy the month, but if he is using it to rent to you as in he would own it, he gets no benefits. Hes just trying to change the wording to cheat the city and not live up to what it really should mean.

    – Putvi
    12 hours ago








  • 4





    This answer appears to misunderstand what a land contract is in Ohio, and make assertions which are not or may not be true. See my answer.

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago






  • 5





    OP doesn't really know what LL is offering, because OP hasn't seen the contract yet. If it purports to be a land contract, and fulfills the legal minimum under Sec 5313, it is a land contract, and OP may be on the hook for taxes and repairs. If the offered contract does not comply with 5313, it is hard to say what effect it will have, but OP will have given up any lease, it seems. OP might then be renting month-to-month. But who knows?

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago



















  • But what's the advantage for him if he makes it a land contract?

    – BooleanCheese
    12 hours ago











  • There isn't one. People have tried crazy things to get out of paying fees and such since the beginning of time.

    – Putvi
    12 hours ago











  • Land contract is supposed to mean that he takes no interest in it while you pay for it buy the month, but if he is using it to rent to you as in he would own it, he gets no benefits. Hes just trying to change the wording to cheat the city and not live up to what it really should mean.

    – Putvi
    12 hours ago








  • 4





    This answer appears to misunderstand what a land contract is in Ohio, and make assertions which are not or may not be true. See my answer.

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago






  • 5





    OP doesn't really know what LL is offering, because OP hasn't seen the contract yet. If it purports to be a land contract, and fulfills the legal minimum under Sec 5313, it is a land contract, and OP may be on the hook for taxes and repairs. If the offered contract does not comply with 5313, it is hard to say what effect it will have, but OP will have given up any lease, it seems. OP might then be renting month-to-month. But who knows?

    – David Siegel
    10 hours ago

















But what's the advantage for him if he makes it a land contract?

– BooleanCheese
12 hours ago





But what's the advantage for him if he makes it a land contract?

– BooleanCheese
12 hours ago













There isn't one. People have tried crazy things to get out of paying fees and such since the beginning of time.

– Putvi
12 hours ago





There isn't one. People have tried crazy things to get out of paying fees and such since the beginning of time.

– Putvi
12 hours ago













Land contract is supposed to mean that he takes no interest in it while you pay for it buy the month, but if he is using it to rent to you as in he would own it, he gets no benefits. Hes just trying to change the wording to cheat the city and not live up to what it really should mean.

– Putvi
12 hours ago







Land contract is supposed to mean that he takes no interest in it while you pay for it buy the month, but if he is using it to rent to you as in he would own it, he gets no benefits. Hes just trying to change the wording to cheat the city and not live up to what it really should mean.

– Putvi
12 hours ago






4




4





This answer appears to misunderstand what a land contract is in Ohio, and make assertions which are not or may not be true. See my answer.

– David Siegel
10 hours ago





This answer appears to misunderstand what a land contract is in Ohio, and make assertions which are not or may not be true. See my answer.

– David Siegel
10 hours ago




5




5





OP doesn't really know what LL is offering, because OP hasn't seen the contract yet. If it purports to be a land contract, and fulfills the legal minimum under Sec 5313, it is a land contract, and OP may be on the hook for taxes and repairs. If the offered contract does not comply with 5313, it is hard to say what effect it will have, but OP will have given up any lease, it seems. OP might then be renting month-to-month. But who knows?

– David Siegel
10 hours ago





OP doesn't really know what LL is offering, because OP hasn't seen the contract yet. If it purports to be a land contract, and fulfills the legal minimum under Sec 5313, it is a land contract, and OP may be on the hook for taxes and repairs. If the offered contract does not comply with 5313, it is hard to say what effect it will have, but OP will have given up any lease, it seems. OP might then be renting month-to-month. But who knows?

– David Siegel
10 hours ago










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