Rental Property FAQ

Q. Do I have to pay my rent?

A. Yes! But if needed repairs are not done, you do not have to pay it to the landlord. You can deposit your rent money into an escrow account at the Clerk of Courts. Call the Clerk of Courts at 330-489-3204 for additional information.

Q. What do I do when my landlord evicts me?

A. Our department does not handle evictions. You can contact the Stark County Legal Aid Society at 330-456-8361 for advice.

Q. Where can you get help with landlord/tenant disputes?

A. Our department does not handle landlord/tenant disputes. You can contact the City of Canton's Fair Housing Assistance Program at 330-438-4133 for information.

Q. I recently purchased a property in the City and it is going to be rented. What do I have to do and what steps do I need to take?

A. First you must register your property with us. The fee for a single family dwelling is $50 and $60 for a duplex with $10 for each additional unit thereafter. Once the property has been registered, an inspection will be scheduled. Please notify your tenants or have someone available to allow the inspectors access to the premises. The inspectors will look at the plumbing, electric, heating and structure. A report will be provided and 4 months will be given to complete all necessary repairs. Once the repairs are completed, a Certificate of Occupancy will be issued.

If the property has been sold and there is a current certificate of occupancy, the new owner within 30 days after the closing date needs to come to our office and transfer the current certificate to their name for $10 and a copy of the closing papers or deed.

Q. Once you obtain a "Certificate of Occupancy" for a nonowner-occupied property, how long is it good for?

A. Single and duplexes are 5 years from the application date. Three or more units are 3 years from the application date.

Q. Where can you get financial help or grants to fix up your nonowner occupied property?

A. Call Community Development at 330-489-3040 for financial help and grants.

Q. How do I cancel/reschedule an inspection date and time?

A. Please call 330-430-7819 at least 24 hours in advance to reschedule an appointment. When calling, please indicate the address in which you are referring, when it would be more convenient, and if the property is up for demolition. Another appointment will be scheduled to better accommodate you the owner and the tenant. Only the owner of the property can do this--not the tenant. There is a $75 rescheduling fee for failure to appear at a scheduled inspection (Payable before the rescheduling of a second or subsequent inspection. 1357.08(b)(5).

Q. How can I find out if my apartment is under a demolition order?

A. If you are calling to find out if the property is under demolition, please call

330-430-7819, provide the address and the owner's name to the secretary and she

will let you know the status. Any further information would have to be addressed to

the Code Supervisor.

Q. I have questions or do not understand some of the repairs listed from my inspection report. Who can I call?

A. You must always talk to the inspector that made the inspection listed on your report for any questions on your repair list or other questions about your property. The inspector that was there knows first hand what he/she saw. The inspectors are only in from 8 - 8:45 a.m. and 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. at 330-430-7819. You can also call anytime from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. to leave a message on their voice mail to have them return your call.

Q. Why does there have to be a recorded copy of a land contract in your office or you will not accept it? Where do I get a recorded copy of a land contract?

A. In order for a land contract to be considered as a legal document, it does have to be recorded with the Stark County Recorder's Office. They are located at the Stark County Office Building at 100 Central Plaza South. Once a property has been sold on land contract, a copy must be provided to the Code Enforcement Office. The contract will be reviewed to determine who the responsible party is for completing repairs. If the buyer is living in the property (single family) and paid 20% or more of the purchase price, it will be considered owner occupied.

Q. What are the code requirements for a 3^rd Floor Apartment?

A. An apartment on the third floor of a four-unit or more must have two means of egress approved.

Q. What work can an owner do without a permit?

A. Chapter 1359 of the Codified Ordinances tell exactly what a landlord or his "bonafide" employee can do and whether a permit is required.

Q. What is acceptable for a vapor barrier?

A. An acceptable vapor barrier is a cement floor or a 6 mil sheet of plastic held in place with 3" gravel.