Chapter 5301 | Conveyances; Encumbrances

Section 5301.01 | Acknowledgment of deed, mortgage, land contract, lease or memorandum of trust.

• Effective: January 30, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 72 - 130th General Assembly

(A) A deed, mortgage, land contract as referred to in division (A) (21) of section 317.08 of the Revised Code, or lease of any interest in real property and a memorandum of trust as described in division (A) of section 5301.255 of the Revised Code shall be signed by the grantor, mortgagor, vendor, or lessor in the case of a deed, mortgage, land contract, or lease or shall be signed by the trustee in the case of a memorandum of trust. The signing shall be acknowledged by the grantor, mortgagor, vendor, or lessor, or by the trustee, before a judge or clerk of a court of record in this state, or a county auditor, county engineer, notary public, or mayor, who shall certify the acknowledgement and subscribe the official's name to the certificate of the acknowledgement.

(B)(1) If a deed, mortgage, land contract as referred to in division (A) (21) of section 317.08 of the Revised Code, lease of any interest in real property, or a memorandum of trust as described in division (A) of section 5301.255 of the Revised Code was executed prior to February 1, 2002, and was not acknowledged in the presence of, or was not attested by, two witnesses as required by this section prior to that date, both of the following apply:

(a) The instrument is deemed properly executed and is presumed to be valid unless the signature of the grantor, mortgagor, vendor, or lessor in the case of a deed, mortgage, land contract, or lease or of the settlor and trustee in the case of a memorandum of trust was obtained by fraud.

(b) The recording of the instrument in the office of the county recorder of the county in which the subject property is situated is constructive notice of the instrument to all persons, including without limitation, a subsequent purchaser in good faith or any other subsequent holder of an interest in the property, regardless of whether the instrument was recorded prior to, on, or after February 1, 2002.

(2) Division (B)(1) of this section does not affect any accrued substantive rights or vested rights that came into existence prior to February 1, 2002.

Section 5301.011 | Recorded instrument to contain volume and page reference.

• Effective: January 23, 1963
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 105th General Assembly

A recorded grant, reservation, or agreement creating an easement or a recorded lease of any interest in real property shall contain a reference by volume and page to the record of the deed or other recorded instrument under which the grantor claims title, but the omission of such reference shall not affect the validity of the same.

Section 5301.012 | Identification of agency for whose use and benefit interest in real property is acquired.

• Effective: October 26, 1999
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 19 - 123rd General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "agency" means every organized body, office, or agency established by the laws of the state for the exercise of any function of state government.

(B) Any instrument by which the state or an agency of the state acquires an interest in real property, including any deed, transfer, grant, reservation, agreement creating an easement, or lease, shall identify the agency for whose use and benefit the interest in the real property is acquired.

(C)(1) If the instrument conveys less than a fee simple interest in real property and if the agency has authority to hold an interest in property in its own name, the instrument shall state that the interest in the real property is conveyed "to __________ (the name of the agency)." Otherwise, the instrument shall state that the interest in the real property is conveyed "to the State of Ohio for the use and benefit of __________ (name of agency)."

(2) If the instrument conveys a fee simple interest in real property and if the agency has authority to hold a fee simple interest in real property in its own name, the instrument shall state that the interest in the real property is conveyed "to the __________ (name of agency) and its successors and assigns." Otherwise, the instrument that conveys a fee simple interest in the real property shall state "to the State of Ohio and its successors and assigns for the use and benefit of __________ (name of agency)."

(D) The purpose of specifying the name of the agency in the instrument is to identify the agency that has the use and benefit of the real property. The identification of the agency pursuant to this section does not confer on that agency any additional property rights in regard to the real property.

Section 5301.02 | Words necessary to create a fee simple estate.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The use of terms of inheritance or succession are not necessary to create a fee simple estate, and every grant, conveyance, or mortgage of lands, tenements, or hereditaments shall convey or mortgage the entire interest which the grantor could lawfully grant, convey, or mortgage, unless it clearly appears by the deed, mortgage, or instrument that the grantor intended to convey or mortgage a less estate.

Section 5301.03 | Grantee as trustee or agent.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

"Trustees," "as trustee," or "agent," or words of similar import, following the name grantee in any deed of conveyance or mortgage of land executed and recorded, without other language showing a trust or expressly limiting the grantee's or mortgagee's powers, or for whose benefit the same is made, or other recorded instrument showing such trust and its terms, do not give notice to or put upon inquiry any person dealing with said land that a trust or agency exists, or that there are beneficiaries of said conveyance or mortgage other than the grantee and those persons disclosed by the record, or that there are any limitations on the power of the grantee to convey or mortgage said land, or to assign or release any mortgage held by such grantee. As to all subsequent bona fide purchasers, mortgagees, lessees, and assignees for value, a conveyance, mortgage, assignment, or release of mortgage by such grantee, whether or not his name is followed by "trustee," "as trustee," "agent," or words of similar import, conveys a title or lien free from the claims of any undisclosed beneficiaries, and free from any obligation on the part of any purchaser, mortgagee, lessee, or assignee to see to the application of any purchase money. This section does not apply to suits brought prior to July 16, 1927, in which any such deeds of conveyance, leases, or mortgages are called in question, or in which the rights of any beneficiaries in the lands described therein are involved. This section does not prevent the original grantor, trustor, undisclosed beneficiary, or anyone claiming under them, from bringing suits other than suits affecting land which is the subject of such conveyance or mortgage.

Section 5301.04 | Deed, mortgage, or lease of a married person.

• Effective: February 1, 2002
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 279 - 124th General Assembly

A deed, mortgage, or lease of any interest of a married person in real property shall be signed, acknowledged, and certified as provided in section 5301.01 of the Revised Code.

Section 5301.05 | Discriminatory restrictive covenants - void.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

(A) Discriminatory restrictive covenants in deeds limiting the transfer or lease of real property to individuals against whom discrimination is prohibited by division (H)(1) of section 4112.02 of the Revised Code are void. If an attorney, in preparing a deed, discovers a discriminatory covenant that is void under this section, the attorney may omit the discriminatory restrictive covenant from the new deed with immunity from civil liability.

(B) Omission of a discriminatory restrictive covenant from a deed pursuant to division (A) of this section does not affect the validity of the deed. No county recorder shall refuse to record a deed pursuant to division (B) of section 317.13 of the Revised Code due to such omission.

Last updated September 9, 2021 at 2:29 PM

Section 5301.057 | Transfer fee covenant.

• Effective: March 22, 2013
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 274 - 129th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Environmental covenant" means

(a) A servitude that imposes activity and use limitations on real property and meets the requirements of section 5301.82 of the Revised Code;

(b) A conservation easement or agricultural easement as defined in section 5301.67 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Transfer" means the sale, gift, conveyance, assignment, inheritance, or other transfer of an ownership interest in real property located in this state.

(3) "Transfer fee" means a fee or charge required by a transfer fee covenant and payable upon the transfer of an interest in real property, or payable for the right to make or accept such a transfer, regardless of whether the fee or charge is a fixed amount or is determined as a percentage of the value of the property, the purchase price, or other consideration given for the transfer. The following are not transfer fees for purposes of this section:

(a) Any consideration payable by the grantee to the grantor for the interest in real property being transferred. For the purposes of division (A)(3)(a) of this section, an interest in real property includes a separate mineral estate and its appurtenant surface access rights.

(b) Any commission payable to a licensed real estate broker for the transfer of real property pursuant to an agreement between the broker and the grantor or the grantee, including any subsequent additional commission for that transfer payable by the grantor or the grantee based upon any subsequent appreciation, development, or sale of real property;

(c) Any interest, charges, fees, or other amounts payable by a borrower to a lender pursuant to a loan secured by a mortgage against real property;

(d) Any rent, reimbursement, charge, fee, or other amount payable by a lessee to a lessor under a lease;

(e) Any consideration payable to the holder of an option to purchase an interest in real property or the holder of a right of first refusal or first offer to purchase an interest in real property for waiving, releasing, or not exercising the option or right upon the transfer of the property to another person;

(f) Any tax, fee, charge, assessment, fine, or other amount payable to or imposed by a governmental authority;

(g) Any fee, charge, assessment, fine, or other amount payable to a homeowners, condominium, cooperative, mobile home, or property owners association pursuant to a declaration or covenant or law applicable to the association;

(h) Any payment required pursuant to an environmental covenant.

(4) "Transfer fee covenant" means a declaration or covenant recorded against the title to real property that requires or purports to require the payment of a transfer fee to the declarant or other person specified in the declaration or covenant or to their successors or assigns upon a subsequent transfer of an interest in the real property.

(B) A transfer fee covenant recorded in this state on or after September 13, 2010, does not run with the title to real property and is not binding on or enforceable against any subsequent owner, purchaser, or mortgagee of any interest in real property as an equitable servitude or otherwise.

(C) Any lien purporting to secure the payment of a transfer fee under a transfer fee covenant that is recorded in this state on or after September 13, 2010, is void.

Section 5301.06 | Instruments executed according to law of place where made.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

All deeds, mortgages, powers of attorney, and other instruments of writing for the conveyance or encumbrance of lands, tenements, or hereditaments situated within this state, executed and acknowledged, or proved, in any other state, territory, or country in conformity with the laws of such state, territory, or country, or in conformity with the laws of this state, are as valid as if executed within this state, in conformity with sections 1337.01 to 1337.03, inclusive, and 5301.01 to 5301.04, inclusive, of the Revised Code.

Section 5301.07 | Delivery and acceptance of real property instrument; presumptions.

• Effective: April 6, 2017
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 257 - 131st General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "real property instrument" means a deed, mortgage, and installment contract, lease, memorandum of trust, power of attorney, or any instrument accepted by the county recorder under section 317.08 of the Revised Code.

(B)(1) When a real property instrument is delivered to and accepted by the county recorder of the county in which the real property is situated, and is signed and acknowledged by a person with an interest in the real property that is described in the instrument, the instrument raises both of the following:

(a) A rebuttable presumption that the instrument conveys, encumbers, or is enforceable against the interest of the person who signed the instrument;

(b) A rebuttable presumption that the instrument is valid, enforceable, and effective as if in all respects the instrument was legally made, executed, acknowledged, and recorded.

(2) The presumptions described in division (B)(1) of this section may be rebutted by clear and convincing evidence of fraud, undue influence, duress, forgery, incompetency, or incapacity.

(C) When a real property instrument is of record for more than four years from the date of recording of the instrument, and the record shows that there is a defect in the making, execution, or acknowledgment of the instrument, the instrument and the record thereof shall be cured of the defect and be effective in all respects as if the instrument had been legally made, executed, acknowledged, and recorded. The defects may include but are not limited to the following:

(1) The instrument was not properly witnessed.

(2) The instrument contained no certificate of acknowledgment.

(3) The certificate of acknowledgment is defective in any respect.

(4) The name of the person with an interest in the real property does not appear in the granting clause of the instrument, but the person signed the instrument without limitation.

(D) A real property instrument when delivered to the county recorder of the county in which the real property is situated and filed in the chain of title to the real property provides constructive notice to all third parties of the instrument notwithstanding any defect in the making, execution, or acknowledgment of the real property instrument.

(E) Nothing contained in this section operates to discharge the obligation to comply with all provisions of sections 5301.47 to 5301.56 and section 5301.332 of the Revised Code before the extinguishment, abandonment, or forfeiture of an interest in real estate as may be authorized by those sections.

(F) Except as otherwise provided in division (E) of this section, this section applies to all real property instruments notwithstanding any other provision of the Revised Code. To the extent that a conflict exists between this section and any other section of the Revised Code, including but not limited to section 1301.401 of the Revised Code, this section controls with respect to any matters addressed in this section.

(G) This section shall be given retroactive effect to the fullest extent permitted under Section 28 of Article II, Ohio Constitution. This section shall not be given retroactive effect if to do so would affect any accrued substantive right or vested rights in any person or in any real property instrument.

Section 5301.071 | Validity of instruments not affected by certain actions or omissions.

• Effective: April 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 202 - 134th General Assembly

No instrument conveying real property, or any interest in real property, and of record in the office of the county recorder of the county within this state in which that real property is situated shall be considered defective nor shall the validity of that conveyance be affected because of any of the following:

(A) The dower interest of the spouse of any grantor was not specifically released, but that spouse executed the instrument in the manner provided in section 5301.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) The officer taking the acknowledgment of the instrument having an official seal did not affix that seal to the certificate of acknowledgment.

(C) The certificate of acknowledgment is not on the same sheet of paper as the instrument.

(D) The executor, administrator, guardian, assignee, attorney in fact, or trustee making the instrument signed or acknowledged the same individually instead of in a representative or official capacity.

(E)(1) The grantor or grantee of the instrument is a trust rather than the trustee or trustees of the trust if the trust named as grantor or grantee has been duly created under the laws of the state of its existence at the time of the conveyance and a memorandum of trust that complies with section 5301.255 of the Revised Code and contains a description of the real property conveyed by that instrument is recorded in the office of the county recorder in which the instrument of conveyance is recorded. Upon compliance with division (E)(1) of this section, a conveyance to a trust shall be considered to be a conveyance to the trustee or trustees of the trust in furtherance of the manifest intention of the parties.

(2) Except as otherwise provided in division (E)(2) of this section, division (E)(1) of this section shall be given retroactive effect to the fullest extent permitted under section 28 of Article II, Ohio Constitution. Division (E) of this section shall not be given retroactive or curative effect if to do so would invalidate or supersede any instrument that conveys real property, or any interest in the real property, recorded in the office of the county recorder in which that real property is situated prior to the date of recording of a curative memorandum of trust or March 22, 2012, whichever event occurs later.

Last updated March 3, 2023 at 1:56 PM

Section 5301.072 | Deed restrictions prohibiting placement of flag unenforceable.

• Effective: March 21, 2017
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 18 - 131st General Assembly

(A) No covenant, condition, or restriction set forth in a deed, and no rule, regulation, bylaw, or other governing document or agreement of a homeowners, neighborhood, civic, or other association, shall prohibit or be construed to prohibit any of the following:

(1) The placement on any property of a flagpole that is to be used for the purpose of displaying the flag of the United States, the flag of the state as defined in section 5.01 of the Revised Code, or the national league of families POW/MIA flag provided the flag and flag pole shall be of an appropriate size, consistent with the size and character of the buildings that are subject to the requirements or agreements of a homeowner, neighborhood, civic, or other association;

(2) The display on any property of the flag of the United States or the national league of families POW/MIA flag if the flag is displayed in accordance with any of the following:

(a) The patriotic customs set forth in 4 U.S.C. 5-10, and 36 U.S.C. 902 governing the display and use of the flag;

(b) The consent of the property's owner or of any person having lawful control of the property;

(c) The recommended flagpole standards set forth in "Our Flag," published pursuant to S.C.R. 61 of the 105th Congress, 1st Session (1998);

(d) Any federal law, proclamation of the president of the United States or the governor, section of the Revised Code, or local ordinance or resolution.

(3) The display on any property of the state flag as defined in section 5.01 of the Revised Code if the flag is displayed in accordance with any of the following:

(a) The consent of the property's owner or of any person having lawful control of the property;

(b) Any state law, local ordinance or resolution, or proclamation by the governor of the state.

(4) The display of a service flag approved by the United States secretary of defense for display in a window of the residence of a member of the immediate family of an individual serving in the armed forces of the United States. A service flag includes a blue star banner, a gold star banner, and any other flag the secretary of defense designates as a service flag.

(B) A covenant, condition, restriction, rule, regulation, bylaw, governing document, or agreement or a construction of any of these items that violates division (A) of this section is against public policy and unenforceable in any court of this state to the extent it violates that division.

Section 5301.08 | Certain leases unaffected.

• Effective: February 1, 2002
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 279 - 124th General Assembly

Sections 5301.01 to 5301.45 of the Revised Code do not affect the validity of any lease of lands appropriated by congress for the support of schools or for ministerial purposes for any term not exceeding ten years or of any other lands for any term not exceeding three years or require that lease to be acknowledged or recorded.

Section 5301.09 | Recording lease of natural gas and petroleum.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 9 - 130th General Assembly

In recognition that such leases and licenses create an interest in real estate, all leases, licenses, and assignments thereof, or of any interest therein, given or made concerning lands or tenements in this state, by which any right is granted to operate or to sink or drill wells thereon for natural gas and petroleum or either, or pertaining thereto, shall be filed for record and recorded in such lease record without delay, and shall not be removed until recorded. No such lease or assignment thereof shall be accepted for record after September 24, 1963, unless it contains the mailing address of both the lessor and lessee or assignee. If the county in which the land subject to any such lease is located maintains permanent parcel numbers or sectional indexes pursuant to section 317.20 of the Revised Code, no such lease shall be accepted for record after December 31, 1984, unless it contains the applicable permanent parcel number and the information required by section 317.20 of the Revised Code to index such lease in the sectional indexes; and, in the event any such lease recorded after December 31, 1984, is subsequently assigned in whole or in part, and the county in which the land subject thereto is located maintains records by microfilm or other microphotographic process, the assignment shall contain the same descriptive information required to be included in the original lease by this sentence, but the omission of the information required by this section does not affect the validity of any lease. Whenever any such lease is forfeited for failure of the lessee, the lessee's successors or assigns to abide by specifically described covenants provided for in the lease, or because the term of the lease has expired, the lessee, the lessee's successors or assigns, shall have such lease released of record in the county where such land is situated without cost to the owner thereof.

No such lease or license is valid until it is filed for record, except as between the parties thereto, unless the person claiming thereunder is in actual and open possession.

Section 5301.10 | Parties defendant in suits to cancel leases.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The plaintiff in an action to cancel a lease or license mentioned in section 5301.09 of the Revised Code, or in any way involving it, in order to finally adjudicate and determine all questions involving such lease or license in such action, need only make those persons defendants, so far as such lease or license is involved, who claim thereunder and are in actual and open possession, and those who then appear of record, or by the files in such office, to own or have an interest in such lease or license. If there is no claimant in actual and open possession, and no persons whose interest appears of record or file, then so far as such lease or license is involved, it will only be necessary to make the original lessee or licensee defendant in order to finally adjudicate and determine all questions concerning such lease or license.

Section 5301.11 | Effect of destruction of building upon lessee.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

The lessee of a building which, without fault or neglect on his part, is destroyed or so injured as to be unfit for occupancy, is not liable to pay rent to the lessor or owner thereof, after such destruction or injury, unless otherwise expressly provided by written agreement or covenant. The lessee thereupon must surrender possession of such premises.

Section 5301.12 | Purchaser at tax sale.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

When real estate is sold at tax sale, and the purchaser has received a deed therefor, and it has been placed upon the tax duplicate in his name, or those claiming under him, who openly and notoriously claim the title and ownership to such property, and pay the taxes thereon, as against any title acquired by deed executed after such tax sale, such facts are prima-facie evidence of the possession of such real estate by such purchaser, or those holding under him, from the date of such sale until it is set aside or redeemed. The knowledge, by a person acquiring title by deed executed after such tax sale, of the payment of taxes, and the claim of title and ownership shall, as to him, be conclusive proof of possession.

Section 5301.13 | Mode of conveyance by state.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

All conveyances of real estate, or any interest therein, sold on behalf of the state shall be drafted by the director of administrative services, executed in the name of the state, signed by the governor, countersigned by the secretary of state, and sealed with the great seal of the state. The director of administrative services thereupon must record such conveyance in books to be kept by the director of administrative services for that purpose, deliver them to the persons entitled thereto, and keep a record of such delivery, showing to whom delivered and the date thereof.

Last updated August 12, 2021 at 3:42 PM

Section 5301.14 | Copy of record of lost deed to be evidence.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

When a title deed, recorded by the director of administrative services as required by section 5301.13 of the Revised Code, or recorded in the office of the secretary of state, the record of which is required to be kept in the office of the director of administrative services, has been lost or destroyed by accident, without having been recorded in the county recorder's office, on demand and tender of the fees therefor, the director of administrative services shall furnish to any person a copy of such deed certified under the director of administrative services' official seal, which copy shall be received everywhere in this state as prima-facie evidence of the existence of the deed, and in all respects shall have the effect of certified copies from the official records of the county where such lands are situated.

Last updated August 12, 2021 at 3:43 PM

Section 5301.15 | Governor may execute new deed to supply lost conveyance.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

When a deed executed for land purchase from the state is lost or destroyed, or when a person who has an interest in such land, by the use of diligence cannot find it, and no record exists from which a certified copy can be made to supply the evidence of such deed, or when a certificate of the purchase of land sold at a land office of this state, or any other contract, bond, or memorandum evidencing a purchase of land has been lost or destroyed, or when from any cause the owner of such land, by the use of diligence, cannot find such certificate, contract, bond, or memorandum, the governor, when satisfied that the original purchase money for such land has been fully paid, shall execute a deed therefor in the name of the original purchaser which must recite the facts authorizing its making. Such deed shall be recorded in the office of the director of administrative services who shall transmit it to the present claimant.

Such deed has the same effect as the original deed, had it been preserved and recorded, or as a deed would have had, made to the original purchaser upon the date of the full payment of the purchase money.

Last updated August 11, 2021 at 1:31 PM

Section 5301.16 | Execution of conveyance by state when purchaser dies before deed made.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

When the purchaser of land from the state dies before a deed is made, and the lands pass to another by descent or devise, and the title still remains in him, or when the person to whom the lands have so passed has conveyed them or his interest therein to another person, by deed of general warranty or quitclaim, upon the proof of such facts being made to him and the attorney general, the governor shall execute the deed directly to the person entitled to the lands, although such person derives his title through one or more successive conveyances from the person to whom the lands passed by descent or devise.

Section 5301.17 | New deed from state to correct errors.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

When, from satisfactory evidence, it appears to the governor and attorney general that an error has occurred in a deed executed and delivered in the name of the state, or in the certificate of any public officer, upon which, if correct, a conveyance would be required from the state, the governor shall correct such error by the execution of a correct title deed, according to the intent and object of the original purchase or conveyance, to the party entitled to it, his heirs, or legal assigns, and take from such party a release to the state of the property erroneously conveyed.

Section 5301.18 | Deeds from state must recite facts.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

All deeds executed under sections 5301.15, 5301.16, and 5301.17 of the Revised Code must recite the facts, as ascertained by the governor and attorney general, upon the proof of which they are executed, and shall be recorded in the office of the director of administrative services.

Last updated August 11, 2021 at 1:31 PM

Section 5301.19 | Release of mortgage to the state.

• Effective: October 10, 1963
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 566 - 105th General Assembly

When lands or tenements are mortgaged to the state to secure the payment of money due the state, and the money so secured, together with the legal interest due thereon, is paid to the treasurer of state, or other person authorized to receive it, the governor shall sign and deliver to the mortgagor, his heirs, or assigns, a deed of release of the real estate so mortgaged.

Section 5301.20 | Reversion to owner of land conveyed to state.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

When a conveyance of lands or tenements made to the state contains a condition that the real estate so conveyed shall revert to the grantor on the payment of a certain sum of money, or on the performance of other conditions, and the money, with legal interest thereon, from the time it was due or payable, is paid to the treasurer of state, or other person authorized to receive it, or the other conditions stated in such deed are performed according to the stipulations contained therein, on receiving a certificate from the proper officer of such payment or other performance, the governor shall execute and deliver to the grantor, his heirs, or assigns, a deed or release for the property so conveyed.

When there has been a foreclosure of the equity of redemption for the nonperformance of the conditions stated in any such deed of conveyance, this section and section 5301.19 of the Revised Code are inoperative as to such case.

Last updated February 23, 2022 at 3:22 PM

Section 5301.21 | Adjoining owners may fix corner or line.

• Effective: September 30, 2021
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 110 - 134th General Assembly

When the owners of adjoining tracts of land, or of lots in a municipal corporation, agree upon the site of a corner or line common to such tracts or lots, in a written instrument containing a pertinent description thereof, either with or without a plat, executed, acknowledged, and recorded as are deeds, such corner or line thenceforth shall be established as between the parties to such agreement, and all persons subsequently deriving title from them.

Such agreement shall be recorded by the county recorder in the official records. The original agreement, after being so recorded, or a certified copy thereof from the record, is competent evidence in any court in this state against a party thereto, or person in privity with a party.

When a tract of land is owned by the state, the officer or board having administrative control thereof, with the approval of the attorney general, may execute said written instrument and following recording in the county where the land is situated, said instrument shall be filed with the director of administrative services with the evidence of title to the land affected.

Last updated August 11, 2021 at 1:32 PM

Section 5301.22 | Effect of agreement with a guardian.

• Effective: October 12, 2016
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 158 - 131st General Assembly

As used in this section, "incompetent person" means a person who is so mentally impaired, as a result of a mental or physical illness or disability, as a result of an intellectual disability, or as a result of chronic substance abuse, that the person is incapable of taking proper care of the person's self or property or fails to provide for the person's family or other persons for whom the person is charged by law to provide.

No agreement described in section 5301.21 of the Revised Code shall be executed by a minor or incompetent person, but it may be executed and delivered for record, on such a person's behalf, by the person's guardian. When executed, acknowledged, delivered for record, and recorded, such agreement shall be as effectual against such minor or incompetent person, as if the person had been under no disability, and had performed such acts personally. An owner, not under any of such disabilities, may perform all such acts by an attorney in fact. The power of such attorney must be in writing and first recorded in the county recorder's office.

Section 5301.23 | Mortgage effective dates.

• Effective: January 1, 1994
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 473 - 119th General Assembly

(A) All properly executed mortgages shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder of the county in which the mortgaged premises are situated and shall take effect at the time they are delivered to the recorder for record. If two or more mortgages pertaining to the same premises are presented for record on the same day, they shall take effect in the order of their presentation. The first mortgage presented shall be the first recorded, and the first mortgage recorded shall have preference.

(B) A mortgage that is presented for record shall contain the then current mailing address of the mortgagee. The omission of this address or the inclusion of an incorrect address shall not affect the validity of the instrument or render it ineffective for purposes of constructive notice.

Section 5301.231 | Effective dates of amendments, supplements, modifications or extensions of mortgages, or of debt secured by mortgages,.

• Effective: January 1, 1994
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 473 - 119th General Assembly

(A) All amendments or supplements of mortgages, or modifications or extensions of mortgages or of the debt secured by mortgages, that have been executed in the manner provided in section 5301.01 of the Revised Code shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder of the county in which the mortgaged premises are situated and shall take effect at the time they are delivered to the recorder for record. Sections 317.08, 5301.23, and 5301.231 of the Revised Code do not affect the enforceability, validity, or legal effect of instruments recorded in those mortgage records prior to October 10, 1963.

(B) An amendment or supplement of a mortgage, or a modification or extension of a mortgage or of the debt secured by a mortgage, that is presented for record shall contain the then current mailing address of the mortgagee. The omission of this address or the inclusion of an incorrect address shall not affect the validity of the instrument or render it ineffective for purposes of constructive notice.

Section 5301.232 | Open-end mortgages.

• Effective: July 14, 1987
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 149 - 117th General Assembly

(A) Whether or not it secures any other debt or obligation, a mortgage may secure unpaid balances of loan advances made after the mortgage is delivered to the recorder for record, to the extent that the total unpaid loan indebtedness, exclusive of interest thereon, does not exceed the maximum amount of loan indebtedness which the mortgage states may be outstanding at any time. With respect to such unpaid balances, division (B) of this section is applicable if the mortgage states, in substance or effect, that the parties thereto intend that the mortgage shall secure the same, the maximum amount of unpaid loan indebtedness, exclusive of interest thereon, which may be outstanding at any time, and contains at the beginning thereof the words "OPEN-END MORTGAGE."

(B) A mortgage complying with division (A) of this section and securing unpaid balances of loan advances referred to in such division is a lien on the premises described therein from the time such mortgage is delivered to the recorder for record for the full amount of the total unpaid loan indebtedness, including the unpaid balances of such advances that are made under such mortgage, plus interest thereon, regardless of the time when such advances are made. If such an advance is made after the holder of the mortgage receives written notice of a lien or encumbrance on the mortgaged premises which is subordinate to the lien of the mortgage, and if such holder is not obligated to make such advance at the time such notice is received, then the lien of the mortgage for the unpaid balance of the advance so made is subordinate to such lien or encumbrance. If an advance is made after the holder of the mortgage receives written notice of work or labor performed or to be performed or machinery, material, or fuel furnished or to be furnished for the construction, alteration, repair, improvement, enhancement, or embellishment of any part of the mortgaged premises and if such holder is not obligated to make such advance at the time such notice is received, then the lien of the mortgage for the unpaid balance of the advance so made is subordinate to a valid mechanic's lien for the work or labor actually performed or machinery, material, or fuel actually furnished as specified in such notice.

(C) The mortgagor may limit the loan indebtedness secured by the mortgage to that in existence at the time of the delivery of a written notice to that effect to the recorder for record, if such notice is executed by the mortgagor in the manner provided in section 5301.01 of the Revised Code, states the volume and initial page of the record or the recorder's file number of the mortgage, and a copy thereof is served upon the holder of the mortgage prior to the delivery of such notice to the recorder for record. Any such notice shall be recorded and indexed by the recorder as an amendment of the mortgage. Such right of the mortgagor to limit loan indebtedness secured by the mortgage is not applicable to interest subsequently accruing on loan indebtedness, loan advances the holder of the mortgage is obligated to make, or loan advances made after the delivery of any such notice to the recorder for record in order to pay for the cost of completing any construction, alteration, repair, improvement, enhancement, or embellishment of any part of the mortgaged premises the financing of which, in whole or in part, the mortgage was given to secure.

(D) The written notices provided for in division (B) of this section shall be signed by the holder of the lien or encumbrance or the person who has performed or intends to perform work or labor or who has furnished or intends to furnish machinery, material, or fuel, or by his agent or attorney, and shall set forth a description of the real property to which the notice relates, the date, parties to, the volume and initial page of the record or the recorder's file number of the mortgage over which priority is claimed for the lien or encumbrance, and the amount and nature of the claim to which the lien or encumbrance relates or the nature of the work or labor performed or to be performed or machinery, material, or fuel furnished or to be furnished and the amount claimed or to be claimed therefor. The written notices provided for in divisions (B) and (C) of this section shall be deemed to have been received by or served upon the holder of the mortgage when delivered to such holder personally or by registered or certified mail at the address of such holder appearing in the mortgage or an assignment thereof or, if no address is so given, at the principal place of business or residence of such holder or the statutory agent of such holder within this state or, if such holder has no principal place of business or residence or a statutory agent within this state, when posted in some conspicuous place on the mortgaged premises.

(E) As used in this section:

(1) "Mortgage" includes a mortgage, deed of trust, or other instrument in the nature of a mortgage.

(2) "Mortgagor" includes the mortgagor's successors in interest as disclosed by the records of the recorder or recorders of the county or counties in which the mortgaged premises are situated.

(3) "Holder of the mortgage" means the holder of the mortgage as disclosed by the records of the recorder or recorders of the county or counties in which the mortgaged premises are situated.

(4) A holder of a mortgage is "obligated" to make an advance if such holder or the person to whom the repayment of such advance is owed has a contractual commitment to do so, even though the making of such advance may be conditioned upon the occurrence or existence, or the failure to occur or exist, of any event or fact.

(5) "Statutory agent" means the statutory agent of a corporation as disclosed by the records of the secretary of state and provided for in sections 1701.07, 1702.06, and 1703.041 of the Revised Code.

(6) "Loan indebtedness" does not include unpaid balances of advances made for the payment of taxes, assessments, insurance premiums, and costs incurred for the protection of the mortgaged premises.

(F) This section is not exclusive, does not apply to any mortgage filed or recorded in conformity with section 1701.66 of the Revised Code, and does not prohibit the use of other types of mortgages permitted by law.

Section 5301.233 | Mortgage may secure unpaid balances of advances made.

• Effective: March 18, 1969
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 108th General Assembly

In addition to any other debt or obligation, a mortgage may secure unpaid balances of advances made, with respect to the mortgaged premises, for the payment of taxes, assessments, insurance premiums, or costs incurred for the protection of the mortgaged premises, if such mortgage states that it shall secure such unpaid balances. A mortgage complying with this section is a lien on the premises described therein from the time such mortgage is delivered to the recorder for record for the full amount of the unpaid balances of such advances that are made under such mortgage, plus interest thereon, regardless of the time when such advances are made.

Section 5301.234 | Mortgage subrogation.

• Effective: October 24, 2024
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 94 - 135th General Assembly

(A) A mortgage encumbering real property granted to secure the repayment of funds used to satisfy a mortgage or lien on such real property shall be subrogated to the priority of the mortgage or lien that was satisfied to the extent of the amount satisfied if both of the following apply:

(1) The intent of the parties to the new mortgage is that the new mortgage would have the priority of the mortgage or lien satisfied.

(2) The expectation of the holder of a subordinate mortgage or lien at the time that it received its interest was that it would be junior to the mortgage or lien that was satisfied.

(B) A mortgagee seeking to be subrogated pursuant to division (A) of this section to the priority of a lien that the mortgagee has satisfied shall not be denied subrogation for any of the following reasons:

(1) The mortgagee meets any of the following criteria:

(a) The mortgagee is engaged in the business of lending.

(b) The mortgagee had actual knowledge or constructive notice of the mortgage or lien over which the mortgagee would gain priority through subrogation.

(c) The mortgagee or a third party committed a mistake or was negligent.

(2) The lien for which the mortgagee seeks to be subrogated was released.

(3) The mortgagee obtained a title insurance policy.

(C) Notwithstanding division (A) of this section, the holder of a subordinate mortgage or lien shall retain the same subordinate position that such person would have had if the prior mortgage or lien had not been satisfied.

Last updated September 11, 2024 at 12:11 PM

Section 5301.24 | Acquisition of property by state not to affect mortgage lien - state, a party.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 361 - 100th General Assembly

The lien or priority of any existing valid mortgage or lien shall not be affected by reason of the fact that this state or any political subdivision thereof acquires the property on which said lien exists, unless said property is acquired by regular judicial proceedings. The state, or any board or commission of the state, may be made a party in any court of common pleas or probate court, to any foreclosure proceedings, or other proceedings to sell real estate and marshal liens, to secure an adjudication concerning any claim, mortgage, or other lien which the state has or claims on the premises involved.

Service of summons shall be made by the clerk of the court who shall, by registered mail, send service of summons and a copy of the petition to the attorney general. The answer day and other proceedings thereafter shall be the same as though a personal service had been made as of the date the return receipt is signed, and thereafter the procedure shall be the same as though a private corporation had been sued under the laws of this state.

No subsequent statute shall modify or change this section unless such statute specifically provides that it is modifying or changing this section.

Section 5301.25 | Recording in county where real estate situated - survey form.

• Effective: January 30, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 72 - 130th General Assembly

(A) All deeds, land contracts referred to in division (A)(21) of section 317.08 of the Revised Code, and instruments of writing properly executed for the conveyance or encumbrance of lands, tenements, or hereditaments, other than as provided in division (C) of this section and section 5301.23 of the Revised Code, shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder of the county in which the premises are situated. Until so recorded or filed for record, they are fraudulent insofar as they relate to a subsequent bona fide purchaser having, at the time of purchase, no knowledge of the existence of that former deed, land contract, or instrument.

(B) Whenever a survey is made of lands that are being conveyed, the county auditor shall require that the name of the person who made the survey appear in the deed. The name shall either be printed, typewritten, stamped, or signed in a legible manner. An instrument is in compliance with this division if it contains a statement in the following form:

"A survey of this property was made by _______________"

(Name)

This division does not apply to any court decree, order, judgment, or writ, to any instrument executed or acknowledged outside of this state, or to any instrument executed within this state prior to September 20, 1965.

(C) All tax certificates sold pursuant to section 5721.32 or 5721.33 of the Revised Code, or memoranda thereof, may be recorded in the office of the county recorder of the county in which the premises are situated, as provided in division (B) of section 5721.35 of the Revised Code; provided, however, that the first and superior lien of the state and its taxing districts conveyed to the holder of the tax certificate, as provided in division (A) of section 5721.35 of the Revised Code, shall in no way be diminished or adversely affected if the tax certificate evidencing the conveyance of such first and superior lien, or memorandum thereof, is not recorded as provided in this section.

Last updated December 27, 2023 at 10:57 AM

Section 5301.251 | Memorandum of lease recording.

• Effective: February 1, 2002
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 279 - 124th General Assembly

In lieu of the recording of a lease, there may be recorded a memorandum of that lease, executed and acknowledged in accordance with section 5301.01 of the Revised Code. The memorandum of lease shall contain the names of the lessor and the lessee and their addresses as set forth in the lease, a reference to the lease with its date of execution, a description of the leased premises with such certainty as to identify the property, including the reference provided for in section 5301.011 of the Revised Code, the term of the lease, together with any rights of renewal or extension of the lease, and the date of commencement of the term or the manner of determining the commencement of the term as set forth in the lease.

A memorandum of lease that is entitled to be so recorded also may set forth any other provisions contained in the lease, or the substance of those provisions, and shall be constructive notice of only that information contained in the memorandum.

Sections 317.08, 5301.251, and 5301.33 of the Revised Code shall not be construed to affect the enforceability, validity, or legal effect of instruments recorded in those lease records prior to August 9, 1963.

Section 5301.252 | Recording affidavit relating to title.

• Effective: March 18, 1997
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 262 - 121st General Assembly

(A) An affidavit stating facts relating to the matters set forth under division (B) of this section that may affect the title to real estate in this state, made by any person having knowledge of the facts or competent to testify concerning them in open court, may be recorded in the office of the county recorder in the county in which the real estate is situated. When so recorded, such affidavit, or a certified copy, shall be evidence of the facts stated, insofar as such facts affect title to real estate.

(B) The affidavits provided for under this section may relate to the following matters:

(1) Age, sex, birth, death, capacity, relationship, family history, heirship, names, identity of parties, marriage, residence, or service in the armed forces;

(2) Possession;

(3) The happening of any condition or event that may create or terminate an estate or interest;

(4) The existence and location of monuments and physical boundaries, such as fences, streams, roads, and rights of way;

(5) In an affidavit of a registered surveyor, facts reconciling conflicts and ambiguities in descriptions of land in recorded instruments.

(C) The county recorder for the county where such affidavit is offered for record shall receive and cause the affidavit to be recorded as deeds are recorded, and collect the same fees for recording such affidavit as for recording deeds.

(D) Every affidavit provided for under this section shall include a description of the land, title to which may be affected by facts stated in such affidavit, and a reference to an instrument of record containing such description, and shall state the name of the person appearing by the record to be the owner of such land at the time of the recording of the affidavit. The recorder shall index the affidavit in the name of such record owner.

(E) Any person who knowingly makes any false statement in any affidavit provided for in this section is guilty of falsification under division (A)(6) of section 2921.13 of the Revised Code.

Section 5301.253 | Written notice of code violations prior to entering into agreement for transfer of title to property.

• Effective: August 16, 1978
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 249 - 112th General Assembly

(A) The owner of any property who has received written notice that the property is in violation of any building or housing code shall give the purchaser or grantee of the property written notice of the code violations prior to entering into an agreement for the transfer of title to the property, or if the owner does not enter into a written agreement for the transfer, prior to the filing for record of a deed to the property. Any notice or order of a court or of a housing or building authority of the state or a political subdivision that relates to a violation of the building or housing code of the state or any political subdivision and that appears on the public records of the issuing authority is notice to all subsequent purchasers, transferees, or any other persons who acquire any interest in the real property in which the violation exists and may be enforced against their interest in the real property without further notice or order to them.

(B) The transfer of title to, or any interest in, real property in which a housing or building code violation exists shall not be grounds for dismissal of charges in any court against a previous owner of the real property for failure to comply with a notice for correction of a housing or building code violation.

Section 5301.254 | Filing information with secretary of state by nonresident alien acquiring interest in real property.

• Effective: March 19, 1979
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 508 - 112th General Assembly

(A) For the purposes of this section, "nonresident alien" means any individual who is not a citizen of, and is not domiciled in, the United States.

(B) Every nonresident alien who acquires any interest either in his own name or in the name of another, in real property located in this state that is in excess of three acres or that has a market value greater than one hundred thousand dollars or any interest in and to minerals, and any mining or other rights appurtenant thereto or in connection therewith that has a market value in excess of fifty thousand dollars shall, within thirty days of the acquisition of the interest in the property, together with a filing fee of five dollars, submit to the secretary of state on forms prescribed by him all of the following information:

(1) Name, address, and telephone number;

(2) Country of citizenship;

(3) Location and amount of acreage of real property;

(4) Intended use of real property at the time of filing.

(C) Every corporation or other business entity that is created or organized under the laws of any state or a foreign nation or that has its principal place of business in a foreign nation, in which a nonresident alien acquires at least ten per cent of the shares of stock or other interests or in which any number of nonresident aliens acquire at least forty per cent of the shares of stock or other interests, and which acquires any interest either in its own name or in the name of another, in real property located in this state that is in excess of three acres or that has a market value greater than one hundred thousand dollars or any interest in and to minerals, and any mining or other rights appurtenant thereto or exercisable in connection therewith that has a market value in excess of fifty thousand dollars shall, within thirty days of acquisition of the interest in the property, together with a filing fee of twenty-five dollars, submit to the secretary of state on forms prescribed by him all of the following information:

(1) Name, address of principal place of business, and address of principal Ohio office;

(2) Name, address, telephone number, and country of citizenship of each nonresident alien who owns at least ten per cent of the shares of stock or other interests, if any;

(3) The percentage, within five percentage points, of shares of stock or other interests controlled by the nonresident aliens of each country represented by them if such interests exceed five per cent;

(4) Location and amount of acreage of real property;

(5) Principal business of corporation or entity;

(6) Intended use of real property at the time of filing;

(7) Chairman of the governing board, if any, chief executive, if any, and partners, if any;

(8) Corporation's or entity's agent in this state;

(9) Place of incorporation, if a corporation;

(10) Number of persons who own shares of stock or other interests.

(D) If the ownership or control of a corporation or other business entity that is required in division (C) of this section to file with the secretary of state changes in such a way that the information contained on the filing form is no longer accurate, the corporation or other business entity shall notify the secretary of state in writing of such change within thirty days of the occurrence of the change.

If the ownership or control of a corporation or other business entity that owns real property in an amount larger than three acres or that has a market value greater than one hundred thousand dollars or that owns any interest in and to minerals, and any mining or other rights appurtenant thereto or exercisable in connection therewith that has a market value in excess of fifty thousand dollars changes in such a way that a nonresident alien acquires at least ten per cent of the shares of stock or other interests or any number of nonresident aliens acquire at least forty per cent of the shares of stock or other interests, the corporation or other business entity shall file with the secretary of state as required in division (C) of this section within thirty days of the occurrence of the change.

If a nonresident alien who is required to file with the secretary of state in division (B) of this section becomes a resident alien or a citizen of the United States, he shall notify the secretary of state in writing of the change in his status within thirty days of the change.

If a nonresident alien or a corporation or other business entity that is required to file with the secretary of state pursuant to this section sells the real property or mineral or mining rights that were reported to the secretary of state, the nonresident alien or corporation or other business entity shall notify the secretary of state in writing of the sale within thirty days of the sale.

(E) The secretary of state shall:

(1) Prescribe all forms and make all rules that are necessary for the implementation of this section;

(2) Maintain accurate records of the information that he receives pursuant to this section and make such information available to the public;

(3) Annually report this information, itemized by county, to the general assembly.

(F) No nonresident alien or corporation or other business entity that is required to file with the secretary of state pursuant to this section shall fail to comply with this section. Either the county prosecutor of the county in which the real property or the mineral or mining rights are located or the attorney general may bring action against any alleged offender. The secretary of state may request a county prosecutor or the attorney general to bring such an action.

(G) The filing of the information required by this section shall not be construed to perfect any interests permitted to be perfected under Title XIII of the Revised Code by filing with the secretary of state.

Section 5301.255 | Memorandum of trust recording.

• Effective: April 29, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 93 - 134th General Assembly

(A) A memorandum of trust that satisfies both of the following may be presented for recordation in the office of the county recorder of any county in which real property that is subject to the trust is located:

(1) The memorandum shall be executed by the trustee of the trust and acknowledged by the trustee of the trust in accordance with section 5301.01 of the Revised Code.

(2) The memorandum shall state all of the following:

(a) The name and address of the trustee of the trust;

(b) The date of execution of the trust;

(c) The powers specified in the trust relative to the acquisition, sale, or encumbering of real property by the trustee or the conveyance of real property by the trustee, and any restrictions upon those powers.

(B) A memorandum of trust that satisfies divisions (A)(1) and (2) of this section also may set forth the substance or actual text of provisions of the trust that are not described in those divisions.

(C) A memorandum of trust that satisfies divisions (A)(1) and (2) of this section shall constitute notice only of the information contained in it.

(D) Upon the presentation for recordation of a memorandum of trust that satisfies divisions (A)(1) and (2) of this section and the payment of the requisite fee prescribed in section 317.32 of the Revised Code, a county recorder shall record the memorandum of trust in the official records described in division (A)(17) of section 317.08 of the Revised Code, if the memorandum of trust describes specific real property, or in the official records described in division (A)(23) of that section, if the memorandum of trust does not describe specific real property.

Last updated February 2, 2022 at 4:02 PM

Section 5301.256 | Registry of persons prohibited from acquiring agricultural land.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Agriculture" has the same meaning as in section 1.61 of the Revised Code.

(2) "Agricultural land" means land suitable for use in agriculture and includes water on and upon and air space over and above the land and natural products and deposits that are unsevered from the land.

(3) "Person" includes all of the following:

(a) Individuals;

(b) Firms, companies, business trusts, estates, trusts, sole proprietorships, partnerships, general partnerships, limited liability companies, associations, corporations, and any other business entities;

(c) Governments other than the government of the United States, its states, subdivisions, territories, or possessions;

(d) Legal or commercial entities, organizations, joint ventures, and nonprofits.

(B)(1) On or after the effective date of this section, no person listed in the registry published by the secretary of state under division (G) of this section, and no agent, trustee, or fiduciary of such a person, shall purchase or otherwise acquire agricultural land in this state.

(2) A person, agent, trustee or fiduciary subject to division (B)(1) of this section that owns or holds agricultural land in this state as described in division (B)(1) of this section before the effective date of this section may continue to own or hold the agricultural land, but shall not purchase or otherwise acquire additional agricultural land in this state that is subject to the restriction in division (B)(1) of this section unless an exception described in division (C) of this section applies.

(C) The restriction on acquiring agricultural land set forth in division (B)(1) of this section does not apply to any of the following:

(1) Agricultural land acquired by devise or descent. However, a person listed in the registry published by the secretary of state under division (G) of this section, or an agent, trustee, or fiduciary thereof, that acquires the agricultural land, or an interest in agricultural land, by devise or descent on or after the effective date of this section shall divest itself of all right, title, and interest in the agricultural land within two years from the date of acquisition.

(2) Agricultural land that is acquired by a process of law in the collection of debts, by a deed in lieu of foreclosure, pursuant to a forfeiture of a contract for deed, or by any procedure for the enforcement of a lien or claim on the agricultural land, whether created by mortgage or otherwise. Agricultural land so acquired shall be sold or otherwise disposed of within two years after title is transferred. Agricultural land, pending sale or disposition, shall not be used for any purpose other than agriculture, and the land shall not be used for agriculture under lease to an individual, trust, corporation, partnership, or other business entity subject to the restrictions under division (B)(1) of this section.

(D) A person listed in the registry published by the secretary of state under division (G) of this section, or an agent, trustee, or fiduciary of such a person, shall not transfer title to or interest in agricultural land to another person listed in that registry, or an agent, trustee, or fiduciary thereof, except by devise or descent.

(E) A person that purchases or otherwise acquires agricultural land in this state described in division (B)(1) of this section, other than by devise or descent, after the effective date of this section, and that is subsequently added to the registry published by the secretary of state under division (G) of this section, shall divest itself of all right, title, and interest in the agricultural land within two years from the date the person is added to the registry.

(F)(1) If the secretary of state finds that a person listed on the registry published under division (G) of this section, or an agent, trustee, or fiduciary thereof, has acquired, or holds title to, or interest in, agricultural land in this state in violation of this section, the secretary of state shall report the violation to the attorney general.

(2) Upon receipt of the report from the secretary of state, the attorney general shall initiate an action in the court of common pleas of any county in which the agricultural land is located seeking relief in accordance with this section. If the agricultural land is located in more than one county, or adjoining tracts of agricultural land are located in more than one county, the county in which the majority of the agricultural land is located shall have territorial jurisdiction over agricultural land that is the subject of the action. The attorney general may initiate an action in the court of common pleas of more than one county, if necessary, in which case, the court of common pleas in that county shall have jurisdiction over the action in matters as it relates to the portion of the agricultural land that is located in that county.

(3) The attorney general shall file a notice of the pendency of the action with the county recorder of each county in which any of the agricultural land is located.

(4) If the court finds that the agricultural land in question has been acquired or held in violation of this section, it shall do all of the following:

(a) Enter an order so declaring;

(b) File a copy of the order with the county recorder of each county in which any portion of the agricultural land is located;

(c) Declare the agricultural land escheated to the state;

(d) Order that the escheated agricultural land be sold pursuant to Chapter 2329. of the Revised Code in the same manner as a foreclosure on a mortgage, except that there shall be no opportunity for redemption under section 2329.33 of the Revised Code.

(5) Upon receiving an order under division (F)(4) of this section, the clerk of the court shall notify the governor that the title to the agricultural land is vested in the state by decree of the court. After the sale, the proceeds of the sale shall be paid as follows:

(a) The proceeds shall first be used to pay court costs related to the action or actions initiated pursuant to division (F)(2) of this section;

(b) The remaining proceeds, if any, shall be paid to the person whose agricultural land escheated, but only in an amount not exceeding the actual cost paid by the person for that agricultural land;

(c) The proceeds remaining after payments have been made pursuant to divisions (F)(5)(a) and (b) of this section shall be paid to the general fund of each county in which the agricultural land is located, proportionally, based on the percentage of the territory located in each county.

(G) The secretary of state shall compile and periodically update a registry of persons that, based on the best information available to the secretary of state, constitute a threat to the agricultural production of this state, or the United States, if permitted to acquire agricultural land described in division (B)(1) of this section. The registry shall be published on the secretary of state's web site. The secretary of state shall consult all of the following in compiling the registry:

(1) The list of persons determined to be foreign adversaries by the secretary of commerce of the United States under 15 C.F.R. 7.4;

(2) The terrorist exclusion list compiled by the secretary of state of the United States in consultation with the attorney general of the United States under 8 U.S.C. 1182;

(3) The list of countries determined by the secretary of state of the United States that have repeatedly provided support for acts of international terrorism under 50 U.S.C. 4813(c) and 22 U.S.C. 2780(d);

(4) The list of individual and entities designated by, or in accordance with Executive Order 13224, issued by the president of the United States on September 23, 2021, or Executive Order 13268, issued by the president of the United States on July 2, 2002.

(H) The purpose of establishing the restrictions as set forth in this section is to recognize that the state has a substantial and compelling interest in protecting its agricultural production.

Last updated August 31, 2023 at 4:57 PM

Section 5301.26 | Vendor's lien.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

As between the vendor and vendee of land the vendor shall have a lien for so much of the purchase money as remains unpaid. Such lien shall not be effective as against a purchaser, mortgagee, judgment creditor, or other encumbrancer, unless there is a recital or a reservation of the lien in the deed, or in some instrument of record executed with the same formalities as are required for the execution of deeds and mortgages of land. The vendor waives his lien by taking a mortgage for any unpaid purchase money on the land conveyed or any part thereof, and the filing for record of such a mortgage with the county recorder of the county in which said land is located shall be constructive notice of the waiver of the vendor's lien.

Section 5301.27 | Conditional grants or devises of real estate.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

When any lands are left encumbered, by a deed, will, or other instrument of record, with the payment of money, or the performance of any acts by the grantee or devisee, such grantee or devisee or his heirs or assigns, upon the payment of the money or the performance of the acts, may present the receipt of such payment, or the proof of the performance of such acts, to the probate court of the county in which such lands are situated. The court must enter such payments and the proof of the performance of such acts on its journal, record the receipts and the proof of the performance of such acts on the margin of the will record in which such encumbrances are created, and order that this be done in like manner on the margin of the deed record by the county recorder. Such lands will then be relieved from the encumbrances except for fraud.

No such record of receipts or orders may be made by the probate judge nor shall he enter proof of the performance of such acts until notice thereof has been given as is required by sections 2109.32 and 2109.33 of the Revised Code.

Section 5301.28 | Release of mortgage - assignment.

• Effective: January 30, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 72 - 130th General Assembly

When the mortgagee of property within this state, or the party to whom the mortgage has been assigned, either by a separate instrument, or in writing on that mortgage, or on the margin of the record of the mortgage, which assignment, if in writing on the mortgage or on the margin of the record of the mortgage, need not be acknowledged, receives payment of any part of the money due the holder of the mortgage, and secured by the mortgage, and enters satisfaction or a receipt for the payment, either on the mortgage or its record, that satisfaction or receipt, when entered on the record, or copied on the record from the original mortgage by the county recorder, will release the mortgage to the extent of the receipt. In all cases when a mortgage has been assigned in writing on that mortgage, the recorder shall copy the assignment from the original mortgage upon the margin of the record of the mortgage before the satisfaction or receipt is entered upon the record of the mortgage.

In a county in which the county recorder has determined to use the microfilm process as provided by section 9.01 of the Revised Code, the county recorder may require that all satisfactions of mortgages be made by separate instrument. The original instrument bearing the proper endorsement may be used as such a separate instrument. That separate instrument shall be recorded in the county recorder's official records. The county recorder shall charge the fee for the recording as provided by section 317.32 of the Revised Code for recording mortgages.

Section 5301.29 | Releases of mortgages made valid.

• Effective: November 9, 1959
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 86 - 103rd General Assembly

When any release, cancellation, or satisfaction of a mortgage of real estate has been of record for more than twenty-one years in the office of the county recorder of the county in which such real estate is situated, and the record thereof shows that there is a defect in such release, cancellation, or satisfaction, such release, cancellation, or satisfaction and the record thereof shall be cured of such defect, if such defect is due to any of the following:

(A) It purports to be signed by an agent or attorney of the mortgagee or a trustee, and no power of attorney or other evidence of authority so to release, cancel, or satisfy such mortgage is of record.

(B) It was signed by less than all of two or more executors, administrators, guardians, assignees in insolvency, or trustees.

(C) The record of such release, cancellation, or satisfaction is not attested by the recorder.

(D) The release, cancellation, or satisfaction by a corporation is executed by officers thereof without signing the name of the corporation thereto.

Section 5301.291 | Mortgage release, cancellation, or satisfaction not defective.

• Effective: September 20, 1984
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 304 - 115th General Assembly

No real estate mortgage release, cancellation, or satisfaction of record in the office of the county recorder of the county within this state in which such real estate is situated shall be deemed defective because:

(A) The executor, administrator, guardian, assignee, or trustee signed it individually instead of in his representative or official capacity.

(B) The release, cancellation, or satisfaction is by separate instrument, and the certificate of acknowledgment is not on the same sheet of paper as the release, cancellation, or satisfaction.

(C) A satisfaction was not recorded within ninety days as required by division (B) of section 5301.36 of the Revised Code.

Section 5301.30 | Expiration of mortgage lien - limitation.

• Effective: July 26, 1963
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 12 - 105th General Assembly

The record of any mortgage which remains unsatisfied or unreleased of record for more than twenty-one years after the date of the mortgage or twenty-one years after the stated maturity date of the principal sum, if a stated date of maturity is provided in the mortgage, whichever is later, secured as shown in the record of such mortgage, does not give notice to or put on inquiry any person dealing with the land described in such mortgage that such mortgage debt remains unpaid or has been extended or renewed. As to subsequent bona fide purchasers, mortgagees, and other persons dealing with such land for value, the lien of such mortgage has expired. The mortgage creditor may at any time refile in the county recorder's office the mortgage or a sworn copy thereof for record, together with an affidavit stating the amount remaining due thereon and the due date thereof, whether or not such date has been extended. Subject to the rights of bona fide purchasers, mortgagees, and other persons dealing with such land for value, whose rights were acquired or vested between such expiration and refiling, such refiling is constructive notice of such mortgage only for a period of twenty-one years after such refiling, or for twenty-one years after the stated maturity of the debt, whichever is the longer period.

Section 5301.31 | Assignment or partial release in margin of original record.

• Effective: February 1, 2002
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 279 - 124th General Assembly

Except in counties in which a separate instrument is required to assign or partially release a mortgage as described in section 5301.32 of the Revised Code, a mortgage may be assigned or partially released by the holder of the mortgage, by writing the assignment or partial release on the original mortgage or upon the margin of the record of the original mortgage and signing it. The assignment or partial release need not be acknowledged, but, if it is written upon the margin of the record of the original mortgage, the signing shall be attested by the county recorder. The assignment, whether it is upon the original mortgage, upon the margin of the record of the original mortgage, or by separate instrument, shall transfer not only the lien of the mortgage but also all interest in the land described in the mortgage. An assignment of a mortgage shall contain the then current mailing address of the assignee. The signature of a person on the assignment or partial release may be a facsimile of that person's signature. A facsimile of a signature on an assignment or partial release is equivalent to and constitutes the written signature of the person for all requirements regarding mortgage assignments or partial releases.

For entering an assignment or partial release of a mortgage upon the margin of the record of the original mortgage or for attesting it, the recorder shall be entitled to the fee provided by section 317.32 of the Revised Code for recording the assignment and satisfaction of mortgages.

Section 5301.32 | Assignment or partial release by separate instrument.

• Effective: January 30, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 72 - 130th General Assembly

A mortgage may be assigned or partially released by a separate instrument of assignment or partial release, acknowledged as provided by section 5301.01 of the Revised Code. The separate instrument of assignment or partial release shall be recorded in the county recorder's official records. The county recorder shall be entitled to charge the fee for that recording as provided by section 317.32 of the Revised Code for recording deeds. The signature of a person on the assignment or partial release may be a facsimile of that person's signature. A facsimile of a signature on an assignment or partial release is equivalent to and constitutes the written signature of the person for all requirements regarding mortgage assignments or partial releases.

In a county in which the county recorder has determined to use the microfilm process as provided by section 9.01 of the Revised Code, the county recorder may require that all assignments and partial releases of mortgages be by separate instruments. The original instrument bearing the proper endorsement may be used as the separate instrument.

An assignment of a mortgage shall contain the then current mailing address of the assignee.

Section 5301.33 | Cancellation, release, and assignment of leases.

• Effective: January 30, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 72 - 130th General Assembly

Except in counties where deeds or other separate instruments are required as provided in this section, a lease, whether or not renewable forever, that is recorded in any county recorder's office, may be canceled or partially released by the lessor and lessee, or assigned by either of them, by writing the cancellation, partial release, or assignment on the original lease, or upon the margin of the record of the original lease, and by signing it. That cancellation, partial release, or assignment need not be acknowledged, but if written on the margin of the record, the signing shall be attested to by the county recorder. The assignment by the lessee, whether it is upon the lease, or upon the margin of the record of the lease, or by separate instrument, shall transfer all interest held by the lessee under the lease in the premises described in the lease, unless otherwise stated in the lease or in the assignment. For copying the cancellation, partial release, or assignment upon the margin of the record, if written upon the original instrument, or for attesting it, if written upon the margin of the record, the county recorder shall charge the fee provided by section 317.32 of the Revised Code for recording the assignment and satisfaction of mortgages.

A lease, whether or not renewable forever, that is recorded in any county recorder's office, also may be canceled, partially released, or assigned by deed or by other separate instrument acknowledged as provided in section 5301.01 of the Revised Code. Unless in the form of a deed, a separate instrument of cancellation, partial release, or assignment shall be recorded in the official records provided for by section 317.08 of the Revised Code. The county recorder shall charge the fee for that recording as provided in section 317.32 of the Revised Code for recording deeds.

If a lease has been canceled, partially released, or assigned by deed or by other separate instrument and that deed or other separate instrument recites the county recorder's file number of the original lease or the volume and page of the record in which the original lease is recorded, the county recorder shall note on the margin of the record of the original lease the county recorder's file number of the deed or other separate instrument or the volume and page of the record in which the same is recorded.

"Lessor" and "lessee" as used in this section include an assignee of the interest of either. "Lease" as used in this section includes a memorandum of lease provided for by section 5301.251 of the Revised Code. This section does not permit the assignment of any lease if the assignment is prohibited by the terms of the lease.

In a county in which the county recorder has determined to use the microfilm process as provided by section 9.01 of the Revised Code, the county recorder may require that all cancellations, partial releases, and assignments of leases be by deed or other separate instrument. The original instrument bearing the proper endorsement may be used as such separate instrument.

Section 5301.331 | Land contract cancellation, partial release, or assignment.

• Effective: January 30, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 72 - 130th General Assembly

Except in counties where deeds or other instruments are required as provided in this section, a land contract that is recorded in the office of the county recorder may be cancelled, partially released by the vendor and vendee, or assigned by either of them by writing the cancellation, partial release, or assignment on the original land contract or upon the margin of the record of the original land contract, and by signing it. That cancellation, partial release, or assignment need not be acknowledged, but if written on the margin of the record, the signing shall be attested to by the county recorder. The assignment by the vendee, whether it is on the land contract or upon the margin of the record of that contract, or by separate instrument, shall transfer the right held by the vendee under the land contract in the premises described in the contract unless otherwise stated in the land contract or in the assignment. For copying the cancellation, partial release, or assignment upon the margin of the record, or for attesting it, if written upon the margin of the record, the county recorder shall charge the fee provided by section 317.32 of the Revised Code for recording the assignment and satisfaction of mortgages.

A land contract that is recorded in the office of the county recorder may also be cancelled, partially released, or assigned by deed or by other separate instrument, acknowledged as provided in section 5301.01 of the Revised Code. Unless in the form of a deed, a separate instrument of cancellation, partial release, or assignment shall be recorded in the county recorder's official records. The county recorder shall charge the fee for that record as provided for in section 317.32 of the Revised Code for record fees.

If a land contract has been cancelled, partially released, or assigned by deed or other separate instrument, and that deed or other separate instrument recites the county recorder's file number of the original land contract or the volume and page of the record in which the original land contract is recorded, the county recorder shall note on the margin of the original land contract the county recorder's file number of the deed or other separate instrument or the volume and page of the record in which the same is recorded.

"Vendor" and "vendee" as used in this section include an assignee of the interest of either. This section does not permit the assignment of any land contract if the assignment is prohibited by the terms of the land contract.

In a county where the county recorder has determined to use the microfilm process as provided by section 9.01 of the Revised Code, the county recorder may require that all cancellations, partial releases, and assignments of land contracts be by deed or other separate instrument. The original instrument bearing the proper endorsement may be used as such separate instrument.

Section 5301.332 | Forfeiture for failure of lessee, successors or assigns to abide by specifically described covenants.

• Effective: January 30, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 72 - 130th General Assembly

(A)(1) Whenever leases of natural gas and oil lands recorded under section 5301.09 of the Revised Code concerning lands upon which there are no producing or drilling oil or gas wells become forfeited for failure of the lessee or the lessee's successors or assigns to abide by specifically described covenants provided for in the lease, or because the term of the lease has expired, the lessor or the lessor's successors or assigns may file for record an affidavit of forfeiture with the county recorder after serving notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the lessee or the lessee's successors or assigns, at the lessee's or the lessee's successors' or assigns' last known address, or if service is not obtained by certified mail, by giving notice by publication at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the land is located of the lessor's intent to declare the lease forfeited.

(2) The notice or publication shall be addressed to the lessee or the lessee's successors or assigns, and shall contain the name of the lessee; a general description of the land; the number of acres; the date of the lease; the volume and page of the lease record where the lease is recorded; the cause of the forfeiture; and shall state the intention of the lessor to file for record an affidavit of forfeiture with the county recorder if the lessee does not have the lease released of record within thirty days from the date of receipt of the notice or of publication.

(B) After thirty days and not more than sixty days from the date of proof of mailing or publication of the notice, the lessor or the lessor's successors or assigns may file with the county recorder an affidavit of forfeiture setting forth that such person is the lessor of an oil or gas lease; the file number or volume and page of the lease record where the oil or gas lease is recorded; that the lessee or the lessee's successors or assigns, have failed and neglected to comply with specifically described covenants provided for in the lease, reciting the facts constituting such failure, or that the term of the lease has expired; that there are no producing or drilling oil or gas wells on the leased premises; that the lease has been forfeited and is void; and that notice was served on the lessee or the lessee's successors or assigns, or that publication was made, and the manner and time thereof.

(C) If the lessee or the lessee's successors or assigns claims that the lease is in full force and effect, the lessee or the lessee's successors or assigns shall, within sixty days after the mailing or publication of the notice of the lessor of the lessor's intention to declare the lease forfeited, notify the person who filed the affidavit of forfeiture of the claim, and file for record an affidavit with the office of the county recorder of the county in which the land is situated stating that the lease has not been forfeited and that the lessee or the lessee's successors or assigns still claim that the lease is in full force and effect.

(D) If the lessee or the lessee's successors or assigns do not give such notice in writing to the lessor at any time prior to the sixtieth day after the mailing or publication of the notice of the lessor of the lessor's intention to declare the lease forfeited, then the lessor shall file for record with the county recorder a notice of failure to file. The notice shall contain all of the following:

(1) A statement that the person filing the notice is the lessor or the lessor's successors or assigns;

(2) The document number or volume and page of the lease record where the oil or gas lease is recorded;

(3) A general description of the land;

(4) The statement: "This lease cancelled pursuant to affidavit of forfeiture recorded as Document Number _____, or Official Record/Lease Vol. _____, Page _____"

Thereafter, the record of the lease shall not be notice to the public of the existence of the lease or of any interest therein or rights thereunder and the record shall not be received in evidence in any court of the state on behalf of the lessee or the lessee's successors or assigns, or against the lessor or the lessor's successors or assigns.

(E) For recording the affidavit of forfeiture, the affidavit giving notice that the lease has not been forfeited, and the notice of failure to file, the county recorder shall charge the fees provided by section 317.32 of the Revised Code.

Section 5301.34 | Release of mortgage on certificate of mortgagee or assignee.

• Effective: January 30, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 72 - 130th General Assembly

A mortgage shall be discharged upon the record of the mortgage by the county recorder when there is presented to the county recorder a certificate executed by the mortgagee or the mortgagee's assigns, acknowledged as provided in section 5301.01 of the Revised Code, or when there is presented to the recorder a deed of release executed by the governor as provided in section 5301.19 of the Revised Code, certifying that the mortgage has been fully paid and satisfied. In addition to the discharge on the records by the county recorder, such certificate shall be recorded in the official records kept by the county recorder. The county recorder is entitled to the fees for such recording as provided by section 317.32 of the Revised Code for recording deeds.

Section 5301.35 | Waiver of priority of mortgages - execution and recording - fees.

• Effective: January 30, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 72 - 130th General Assembly

The priority of the lien of a mortgage may be waived to the extent specified by the holder of the lien in favor of any lien, mortgage, lease, easement, or other interest in the property covered by the mortgage, by writing the waiver of priority on the original mortgage and signing it, by writing the waiver of priority upon the margin of the record of that mortgage and signing it, or by a separate instrument acknowledged as provided by section 5301.01 of the Revised Code. That waiver, when recorded upon the margin of the record of the mortgage, or when recorded as a separate instrument, is constructive notice to all persons dealing with either the property described in that mortgage or the mortgage itself from the date of filing the waiver for record. The waiver, if written upon the mortgage or upon the margin of the record of the mortgage, need not be acknowledged, but if written upon the margin of the record, the signing shall be attested by the county recorder.

If the waiver of priority is by separate instrument, it shall be recorded in the official records of the county recorder. For the recording, the county recorder may charge the fee as provided by section 317.32 of the Revised Code for recording deeds. For entering any waiver of priority upon the margin of the record of the mortgage, or for attesting it, the county recorder is entitled to the fees for recording those waivers of priority that are charged for assignments or satisfactions of mortgages under section 317.32 of the Revised Code.

In a county in which the county recorder has determined to use the microfilm process as provided by section 9.01 of the Revised Code, the county recorder may require that all waivers of priority of mortgages be made by separate instrument. The original instrument bearing the proper endorsement may be used as such separate instrument.

Section 5301.36 | Entry of satisfaction.

• Effective: April 7, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 45 - 134th General Assembly

(A) Except in a county in which the county recorder has elected to require that all satisfactions of mortgages be recorded by separate instrument as allowed under section 5301.28 of the Revised Code, when recording a mortgage, county recorders shall leave space on the margin of the record for the entry of satisfaction, and record therein the satisfaction made on the mortgage, or permit the owner of the claim secured by the mortgage to enter such satisfaction. Such record shall have the same effect as the record of a release of the mortgage.

(B) Within ninety days from the date of the satisfaction of a mortgage, the mortgagee shall record a release of the mortgage evidencing the fact of its satisfaction in the appropriate county recorder's office and pay any fees required for the recording. The mortgagee may, by contract with the mortgagor, recover the cost of the fees required for the recording of the satisfaction by the county recorder.

(C)(1) Except as provided in division (C)(2) of this section, if the mortgagee fails to comply with division (B) of this section, the mortgagor of the unrecorded satisfaction and the current owner of the real property to which the mortgage pertains may recover, in a civil action, damages of two hundred fifty dollars. This division does not preclude or affect any other legal remedies or damages that may be available to the mortgagor.

(2) A mortgagor or current owner of the real property shall not be eligible to collect the damages described in division (C)(1) of this section via a class action for violations of division (B) of this section that occurred in calendar year 2020. This division does not preclude or affect any other legal remedies or damages that may be available to the mortgagor or current owner.

(D)(1) If upon the expiration of the ninety-day period described in division (B) of this section, the satisfaction of mortgage remains unrecorded, the current owner of the real property shall provide the mortgagee written notice, in accordance with the Rules of Civil Procedure, of the failure to enter the release of the mortgage of record. The notice shall be in substantially the following form:

"OHIO LAW REQUIRES A MORTGAGEE, WHETHER THE ORIGINAL MORTGAGEE OR ANY SUCCESSOR TO THE INTEREST OF THE ORIGINAL MORTGAGEE, TO RECORD A RELEASE OF A MORTGAGE EVIDENCING ITS SATISFACTION IN THE APPROPRIATE COUNTY RECORDER'S OFFICE AND TO PAY ANY FEES REQUIRED FOR THE RECORDING WITHIN A CERTAIN TIME PERIOD. (Name of mortgagor)'S MORTGAGE LOAN, (loan number or other loan identification), FOR PROPERTY LOCATED AT (property address), WAS SATISFIED ON (date of satisfaction). IT APPEARS YOU HAVE YET TO RECORD A RELEASE OF THIS MORTGAGE. FAILURE TO RECORD THE RELEASE WITHIN 15 DAYS OF RECEIVING THIS NOTICE MAY RESULT IN A CIVIL ACTION FILED AGAINST YOU TO RECOVER REASONABLE ATTORNEYS' FEES AND COSTS INCURRED IN SUCH AN ACTION OR OTHERWISE TO OBTAIN THE RECORDING, PLUS DAMAGES OF $100 FOR EACH DAY OF NONCOMPLIANCE NOT TO EXCEED $5,000 IN TOTAL DAMAGES."

(2) Within fifteen days after delivery of the notice described in division (D)(1) of this section, the mortgagee shall record a release of the mortgage evidencing the fact of its satisfaction in the appropriate county recorder's office and pay any fees required for the recording. The mortgagee may, by contract with the mortgagor or current owner of the real property, recover the cost of the fees required for the recording of the satisfaction by the county recorder.

(E) If the mortgagee fails to comply with division (D)(2) of this section after receiving the notice in accordance with division (D)(1) of this section, the current owner of the real property may recover, in a civil action, reasonable attorneys' fees and costs incurred in such an action or otherwise to obtain the recording of a satisfaction of mortgage plus damages of one hundred dollars for each day of noncompliance, not to exceed five thousand dollars in total damages.

This division does not preclude or affect any other legal remedies or damages that may be available to the current owner.

(F) A mortgagee that records a release of a mortgage evidencing the fact of its satisfaction within the time periods required by this section shall not be in violation of this section, or subject to damages or fees, due to the failure of a county recorder to timely process that release of mortgage.

(G) A current owner may combine the civil actions described in divisions (C) and (E) of this section by bringing one action to collect for both damages, or may bring separate actions.

(H) As used in this section:

(1) "Mortgagee" includes the original mortgagee or any successor to or assignee of the original mortgagee.

(2) "Satisfaction" means that the obligation secured by a mortgage has been paid in full and the underlying obligation terminated, with no opportunities for future advancements.

Last updated February 28, 2023 at 10:54 AM

Section 5301.361 | Unreleased mortgages; liability for damages for failure to record.

• Effective: March 23, 2015
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 201 - 130th General Assembly

(A)(1) With respect to an unreleased commercial mortgage that has been satisfied more than ninety days prior to the effective date of this section, but not recorded, the mortgagee shall not be subject to a civil action or damages as described in division (C) of section 5301.36 of the Revised Code.

(2) The current owner of the real property to which such a mortgage pertains shall provide the mortgagee the written notice described in division (D)(1) of section 5301.36 of the Revised Code not sooner than on the effective date of this section and may recover damages in a civil action for failure to comply with division (D)(2) of that section pursuant to division (E) of that section.

(B)(1) With respect to an unreleased commercial mortgage that has been satisfied less than ninety days prior to the effective date of this section , but not recorded, the mortgagee shall not be subject to a civil action or damages as described in division (C) of section 5301.36 of the Revised Code.

(2) The current owner of the real property to which such a mortgage pertains shall provide the mortgagee the written notice described in division (D)(1) of section 5301.36 of the Revised Code not sooner than on the ninetieth day after the mortgage was satisfied and may recover damages in a civil action for failure to comply with division (D)(2) of that section pursuant to division (E) of that section.

(C)(1) With respect to an unreleased residential mortgage that has been satisfied, but not recorded, prior to the effective date of this section , the mortgagee shall be subject to a civil action or damages as described in division (C) of section 5301.36 of the Revised Code for failure to comply with division (B) of that section.

(2) If such a mortgage was satisfied more than ninety days prior to the effective date of this section , the current owner of the real property to which the mortgage pertains shall provide the mortgagee the written notice described in division (D)(1) of section 5301.36 of the Revised Code not sooner than on the effective date of this section and may recover damages in a civil action for failure to comply with division (D)(2) of that section pursuant to division (E) of that section. If such a mortgage was satisfied less than ninety days prior to the effective date of the section , the current owner shall provide the mortgagee the written notice described in division (D)(1) of section 5301.36 of the Revised Code not sooner than on the ninetieth day after the mortgage was satisfied and may recover damages in a civil action for failure to comply with division (D)(2) of that section pursuant to division (E) of that section.

(D) As used in this section, "mortgagee" has the same meaning as in section 5301.36 of the Revised Code.

Last updated November 23, 2021 at 4:02 PM

Section 5301.37 | Recording of separate instruments.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Whenever the county recorder in making photostatic or photographic records leaves no margin suitable for the entering or recording of assignments, cancellations, or further transactions relating to the instruments so recorded, or whenever such margin is completely filled with assignments, cancellations, or further transactions relating to the instruments so recorded, such transactions shall be effected by separate instruments executed and recorded according to law.

Section 5301.38 | Record of patents, copies, and exemplifications.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Patents for lands lying within this state, granted to any person by the president of the United States, and copies of such patents, certified under the official seal of the commissioner of the general land office of the United States, and exemplifications of the record of the general land office of any patent recorded there, may be recorded in the office of the county recorder of the county in which such lands, or a part thereof, are situated.

The recorder shall be paid the fees for recording such patents as provided in section 317.32 of the Revised Code for recording deeds.

Section 5301.39 | When court to order clerk to make entry on record of mortgage.

• Effective: December 17, 1973
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 341 - 110th General Assembly

The court in which proceedings are commenced, relative to a mortgage or other lien, change of title, or partition of lands, the final judgment, order, or decree in which is to release or declare such mortgage or other lien void, in whole or in part, or require the judicial sale of property included in the mortgage or other lien, in case of failure to pay the amount secured thereby, or when the title has been changed by judgment or decree, or partition made and confirmed between tenants in common, at the rendition of such final judgment, order, or decree, shall make the necessary order for the proper entry of a memorandum, release, or satisfaction, by the clerk of such court, on the record of such mortgage or other lien, and in cases of change of title or partition, for the record of so much of the decree in the records in the office of the county recorder, as is necessary to show such change of title or partition.

In a county in which the county recorder has determined to use the microfilm process as provided by section 9.01 of the Revised Code and has elected to require a separate instrument for satisfactions and other actions affecting mortgages and other liens on real property, the court order for proper entry as referred to in this section, or certified copy thereof, may constitute the separate instrument and shall be recorded according to the type of action involved.

Section 5301.40 | Mortgage or lien satisfied by suit.

• Effective: January 1, 1993
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 405 - 119th General Assembly

When a mortgage or other lien is satisfied or declared void, in whole or in part, by a judgment, final order, or decree, the clerk of the court in which the proceedings are had shall enter upon the record of the mortgage or other lien, in the county recorder's office where it is recorded, a memorandum of the character of the proceedings, giving also the volume and page of the record where they are recorded.

The clerk may tax in the bill of costs the fees of the recorder provided by law for the entry of the memorandum, release, satisfaction, or record, including a fee to himself for making the entry as provided for in division (K) of section 2303.20 of the Revised Code, and the fees provided by law for official copies of records.

In a county in which the county recorder has determined to use the microfilm process as provided by section 9.01 of the Revised Code and has elected to require a separate instrument for satisfactions of mortgages and other liens, the judgment, final order, or decree may constitute the separate instrument and shall be recorded as appropriate for the type of action involved.

Section 5301.41 | Effect of reversal of judgment.

• Effective: January 9, 1961
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 104th General Assembly

If the final judgment, order, or decree referred to in section 5301.39 of the Revised Code, upon which the entry of release, satisfaction, change of title, or partition is based, or in which the order for release, satisfaction, or record is included, is reversed, vacated, or modified, such reversal, vacation, or modification, so far as it applies to such memorandum, release, or satisfaction of such mortgage or other lien, record of change of title, or partition, will vacate or modify the entry and record.

Section 5301.42 | Effect of entry by clerk.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

Sections 5301.39 to 5301.41, inclusive, of the Revised Code do not give to any judgment, order, or decree an effect, by reason of the entry thereof in the county recorder's office, other than that which it would have had without such entry.

Section 5301.43 | Certified copy of record of instrument as evidence.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

A copy of the record of a deed or other instrument of writing, certified by the county recorder with his official seal affixed thereto, shall be received in all courts and places within this state, as prima-facie evidence of the existence of such instrument, and as conclusive evidence of the existence of such record.

Section 5301.44 | Certified copy of record in action to cure defects.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

When a conveyance of real estate has been executed in which there is a mistake, defect, or omission in the description of the lands, execution, acknowledgment, or otherwise, and it has been recorded in the county recorder's office of the county where the lands are or were situated at the time of such record, the record or a certified copy thereof in an action to cure or supply such defect, mistake, or omission, or to compel the execution of a valid conveyance of such real estate, may be read in evidence, and shall be prima-facie evidence that such instrument was executed and existed as shown by such record.

Section 5301.45 | Instrument executed and acknowledged upon different sheets.

• Effective: October 1, 1953
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 100th General Assembly

When a deed, mortgage, lease, or other instrument of writing intended to convey or encumber an interest in real estate is not printed or written on a single sheet, or when the certificate of acknowledgment thereof is not printed or written on the same sheet with the instrument, and such defective conveyance is corrected by the judgment of a court, or by the voluntary act of the parties thereto, such judgment or act shall relate back so as to be operative from the time of filing the original conveyance in the county recorder's office.

Section 5301.46 | Assignment, release, or cancellation of interest made by separate instrument to contain description.

• Effective: October 10, 1991
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 237 - 119th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "separate instrument" means an instrument other than the writing in which was created the interest in real property that is being assigned, released, or canceled.

(B) In any county that maintains sectional indexes pursuant to section 317.20 of the Revised Code, each assignment, release, or cancellation of an interest in real property that is made by a separate instrument shall contain a description of the real property that is subject to the interest sufficient to enable the county recorder to index the assignment, release, or cancellation correctly, and the description shall include all of the following:

(1) The permanent parcel number, if there is one, for the real property;

(2) The section, range, tract, subdivision, addition, lot, quarter, and municipal corporation, town, or township associated with the real property.

(C) If division (B) of this section requires a description of the subject real property to be contained in an assignment, release, or cancellation of an interest in real property that is made by a separate instrument, the omission in the assignment, release, or cancellation of any part of the description does not invalidate that instrument.

Section 5301.47 | Marketable title definitions.

• Effective: September 29, 1961
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 81 - 104th General Assembly

As used in sections 5301.47 to 5301.56, inclusive, of the Revised Code:

(A) "Marketable record title" means a title of record, as indicated in section 5301.48 of the Revised Code, which operates to extinguish such interests and claims, existing prior to the effective date of the root of title, as are stated in section 5301.50 of the Revised Code.

(B) "Records" includes probate and other official public records, as well as records in the office of the recorder of the county in which all or part of the land is situate.

(C) "Recording," when applied to the official public records of the probate or other court, includes filing.

(D) "Person dealing with land" includes a purchaser of any estate or interest therein, a mortgagee, a levying or attaching creditor, a land contract vendee, or any other person seeking to acquire an estate or interest therein, or impose a lien thereon.

(E) "Root of title" means that conveyance or other title transaction in the chain of title of a person, purporting to create the interest claimed by such person, upon which he relies as a basis for the marketability of his title, and which was the most recent to be recorded as of a date forty years prior to the time when marketability is being determined. The effective date of the "root of title" is the date on which it is recorded.

(F) "Title transaction" means any transaction affecting title to any interest in land, including title by will or descent, title by tax deed, or by trustee's, assignee's, guardian's, executor's, administrator's, or sheriff's deed, or decree of any court, as well as warranty deed, quit claim deed, or mortgage.

Section 5301.48 | Unbroken chain of title of record.

• Effective: September 29, 1961
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 81 - 104th General Assembly

Any person having the legal capacity to own land in this state, who has an unbroken chain of title of record to any interest in land for forty years or more, has a marketable record title to such interest as defined in section 5301.47 of the Revised Code, subject to the matters stated in section 5301.49 of the Revised Code.

A person has such an unbroken chain of title when the official public records disclose a conveyance or other title transaction, of record not less than forty years at the time the marketability is to be determined, which said conveyance or other title transaction purports to create such interest, either in:

(A) The person claiming such interest; or

(B) Some other person from whom, by one or more conveyances or other title transactions of record, such purported interest has become vested in the person claiming such interest; with nothing appearing of record, in either case, purporting to divest such claimant of such purported interest.

Section 5301.49 | Record marketable title.

• Effective: January 23, 1963
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 1 - 105th General Assembly

Such record marketable title shall be subject to:

(A) All interests and defects which are inherent in the muniments of which such chain of record title is formed; provided that a general reference in such muniments, or any of them, to easements, use restrictions, or other interests created prior to the root of title shall not be sufficient to preserve them, unless specific identification be made therein of a recorded title transaction which creates such easement, use restriction, or other interest; and provided that possibilities of reverter, and rights of entry or powers of termination for breach of condition subsequent, which interests are inherent in the muniments of which such chain of record title is formed and which have existed for forty years or more, shall be preserved and kept effective only in the manner provided in section 5301.51 of the Revised Code;

(B) All interests preserved by the filing of proper notice or by possession by the same owner continuously for a period of forty years or more, in accordance with section 5301.51 of the Revised Code;

(C) The rights of any person arising from a period of adverse possession or user, which was in whole or in part subsequent to the effective date of the root of title;

(D) Any interest arising out of a title transaction which has been recorded subsequent to the effective date of the root of title from which the unbroken chain of title or record is started; provided that such recording shall not revive or give validity to any interest which has been extinguished prior to the time of the recording by the operation of section 5301.50 of the Revised Code;

(E) The exceptions stated in section 5301.53 of the Revised Code.

Section 5301.50 | Interests prior to effective date of root of title.

• Effective: September 29, 1961
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 81 - 104th General Assembly

Subject to the matters stated in section 5301.49 of the Revised Code, such record marketable title shall be held by its owner and shall be taken by any person dealing with the land free and clear of all interests, claims, or charges whatsoever, the existence of which depends upon any act, transaction, event, or omission that occurred prior to the effective date of the root of title. All such interests, claims, or charges, however denominated, whether legal or equitable, present or future, whether such interests, claims, or charges are asserted by a person sui juris or under a disability, whether such person is within or without the state, whether such person is natural or corporate, or is private or governmental, are hereby declared to be null and void.

Section 5301.51 | Preservation of interest in land.

• Effective: May 31, 1988
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 502 - 117th General Assembly

(A) Any person claiming an interest in land may preserve and keep effective the interest by filing for record during the forty-year period immediately following the effective date of the root of title of the person whose record title would otherwise be marketable, a notice in compliance with section 5301.52 of the Revised Code. No disability or lack of knowledge of any kind on the part of anyone suspends the running of the forty-year period. The notice may be filed for record by the claimant or by any other person acting on behalf of any claimant who is:

(1) Under a disability;

(2) Unable to assert a claim on his own behalf; or

(3) One of a class, but whose identity cannot be established or is uncertain at the time of filing the notice of claim for record.

(B) If the same record owner of any possessory interest in land has been in possession of the land continuously for a period of forty years or more, during which period no title transaction with respect to such interest appears of record in his chain of title, and no notice has been filed by him on his behalf as provided in division (A) of this section, and such possession continues to the time when marketability is being determined, the period of possession is equivalent to the filing of the notice immediately preceding the termination of the forty-year period described in division (A) of this section.

Section 5301.52 | Notice and filing of claim of interest in land.

• Effective: January 30, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 72 - 130th General Assembly

(A) To be effective and entitled to recording, the notice referred to in section 5301.51 of the Revised Code shall satisfy all of the following:

(1) Be in the form of an affidavit;

(2) State the nature of the claim to be preserved and the names and addresses of the persons for whose benefit the notice is being filed;

(3) Contain an accurate and full description of all land affected by the notice, which description shall be set forth in particular terms and not by general inclusions, except that if the claim is founded upon a recorded instrument, the description in the notice may be the same as that contained in such recorded instrument;

(4) State the name of each record owner of the land affected by the notice, at the time of its recording, together with the recording information of the instrument by which each record owner acquired title to the land;

(5) Be made by any person who has knowledge of the relevant facts or is competent to testify concerning them in court.

(B) The notice shall be filed for record in the office of the county recorder of the county or counties where the land described in it is situated. The county recorder of each county shall accept all such notices presented that describe land situated within the county, and shall enter and record them in the official records of that county, and shall index each notice in the direct index under the names of the claimants appearing in that notice and in the reverse index under the names of the record owners appearing in that notice. If the county recorder maintains indexes under section 317.20 of the Revised Code, the notices also shall be indexed under the description of the real estate involved. The county recorder shall charge the same fees for the recording of such notices as are charged for recording deeds.

(C) A notice prepared, executed, and recorded in conformity with the requirements of this section, or a certified copy of it, shall be accepted as evidence of the facts stated insofar as they affect title to the land affected by that notice.

(D) Any person who knowingly makes any false statement in a notice executed under this section is guilty of perjury under section 2921.11 of the Revised Code.

Section 5301.53 | Certain rights not barred or extinguished.

• Effective: March 23, 1989
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 223 - 117th General Assembly

The provisions of sections 5301.47 to 5301.56 of the Revised Code shall not be applied to bar or extinguish any of the following:

(A) Any lessor or his successor as reversioner of his right to possession on the expiration of any lease, or any lessee or his successor of his rights in and to any lease, except as may be permitted under section 5301.56 of the Revised Code;

(B) Any easement or interest in the nature of an easement created or held for any railroad or public utility purpose;

(C) Any easement or interest in the nature of an easement, the existence of which is clearly observable by physical evidence of its use;

(D) Any easement or interest in the nature of an easement, or any rights granted, excepted, or reserved by the instrument creating such easement or interest, including any rights for future use, if the existence of such easement or interest is evidenced by the location beneath, upon, or above any part of the land described in such instrument of any pipe, valve, road, wire, cable, conduit, duct, sewer, track, pole, tower, or other physical facility and whether or not the existence of such facility is observable;

(E) Any right, title, estate, or interest in coal, and any mining or other rights pertinent to or exercisable in connection with any right, title, estate, or interest in coal;

(F) Any mortgage recorded in conformity with section 1701.66 of the Revised Code;

(G) Any right, title, or interest of the United States, of this state, or of any political subdivision, body politic, or agency of the United States or this state.

Section 5301.54 | Effect of changes.

• Effective: September 29, 1961
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 81 - 104th General Assembly

Nothing contained in sections 5301.47 to 5301.56, inclusive, of the Revised Code, shall be construed to extend the period for the bringing of an action or for the doing of any other required act under any statutes of limitations, nor, except as provided in sections 5301.47 to 5301.56, inclusive, of the Revised Code, to affect the operation of any statutes governing the effect of the recording or the failure to record any instrument affecting land.

Section 5301.55 | Liberal construction of statutes.

• Effective: September 29, 1961
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 81 - 104th General Assembly

Sections 5301.47 to 5301.56, inclusive, of the Revised Code, shall be liberally construed to effect the legislative purpose of simplifying and facilitating land title transactions by allowing persons to rely on a record chain of title as described in section 5301.48 of the Revised Code, subject only to such limitations as appear in section 5301.49 of the Revised Code.

Section 5301.56 | Mineral interests - vesting in surface owner.

• Effective: January 30, 2014
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 72 - 130th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Holder" means the record holder of a mineral interest, and any person who derives the person's rights from, or has a common source with, the record holder and whose claim does not indicate, expressly or by clear implication, that it is adverse to the interest of the record holder.

(2) "Drilling or mining permit" means a permit issued under Chapter 1509., 1513., or 1514. of the Revised Code to the holder to drill an oil or gas well or to mine other minerals.

(3) "Mineral interest" means a fee interest in at least one mineral regardless of how the interest is created and of the form of the interest, which may be absolute or fractional or divided or undivided.

(4) "Mineral" means gas, oil, coal, coalbed methane gas, other gaseous, liquid, and solid hydrocarbons, sand, gravel, clay, shale, gypsum, halite, limestone, dolomite, sandstone, other stone, metalliferous or nonmetalliferous ore, or another material or substance of commercial value that is excavated in a solid state from natural deposits on or in the earth.

(5) "Owner of the surface of the lands subject to the interest" includes the owner's successors and assignees.

(B) Any mineral interest held by any person, other than the owner of the surface of the lands subject to the interest, shall be deemed abandoned and vested in the owner of the surface of the lands subject to the interest if the requirements established in division (E) of this section are satisfied and none of the following applies:

(1) The mineral interest is in coal, or in mining or other rights pertinent to or exercisable in connection with an interest in coal, as described in division (E) of section 5301.53 of the Revised Code. However, if a mineral interest includes both coal and other minerals that are not coal, the mineral interests that are not in coal may be deemed abandoned and vest in the owner of the surface of the lands subject to the interest.

(2) The mineral interest is held by the United States, this state, or any political subdivision, body politic, or agency of the United States or this state, as described in division (G) of section 5301.53 of the Revised Code.

(3) Within the twenty years immediately preceding the date on which notice is served or published under division (E) of this section, one or more of the following has occurred:

(a) The mineral interest has been the subject of a title transaction that has been filed or recorded in the office of the county recorder of the county in which the lands are located.

(b) There has been actual production or withdrawal of minerals by the holder from the lands, from lands covered by a lease to which the mineral interest is subject, from a mine a portion of which is located beneath the lands, or, in the case of oil or gas, from lands pooled, unitized, or included in unit operations, under sections 1509.26 to 1509.28 of the Revised Code, in which the mineral interest is participating, provided that the instrument or order creating or providing for the pooling or unitization of oil or gas interests has been filed or recorded in the office of the county recorder of the county in which the lands that are subject to the pooling or unitization are located.

(c) The mineral interest has been used in underground gas storage operations by the holder.

(d) A drilling or mining permit has been issued to the holder, provided that an affidavit that states the name of the permit holder, the permit number, the type of permit, and a legal description of the lands affected by the permit has been filed or recorded, in accordance with section 5301.252 of the Revised Code, in the office of the county recorder of the county in which the lands are located.

(e) A claim to preserve the mineral interest has been filed in accordance with division (C) of this section.

(f) In the case of a separated mineral interest, a separately listed tax parcel number has been created for the mineral interest in the county auditor's tax list and the county treasurer's duplicate tax list in the county in which the lands are located.

(C)(1) A claim to preserve a mineral interest from being deemed abandoned under division (B) of this section may be filed for record by its holder. Subject to division (C)(3) of this section, the claim shall be recorded in accordance with division (H) of this section and sections 317.18 to 317.20 and 5301.52 of the Revised Code, and shall consist of a notice that does all of the following:

(a) States the nature of the mineral interest claimed and any recording information upon which the claim is based;

(b) Otherwise complies with section 5301.52 of the Revised Code;

(c) States that the holder does not intend to abandon, but instead to preserve, the holder's rights in the mineral interest.

(2) A claim that complies with division (C)(1) of this section or, if applicable, divisions (C)(1) and (3) of this section preserves the rights of all holders of a mineral interest in the same lands.

(3) Any holder of an interest for use in underground gas storage operations may preserve the holder's interest, and those of any lessor of the interest, by a single claim, that defines the boundaries of the storage field or pool and its formations, without describing each separate interest claimed. The claim is prima-facie evidence of the use of each separate interest in underground gas storage operations.

(D)(1) A mineral interest may be preserved indefinitely from being deemed abandoned under division (B) of this section by the occurrence of any of the circumstances described in division (B)(3) of this section, including, but not limited to, successive filings of claims to preserve mineral interests under division (C) of this section.

(2) The filing of a claim to preserve a mineral interest under division (C) of this section does not affect the right of a lessor of an oil or gas lease to obtain its forfeiture under section 5301.332 of the Revised Code.

(E) Before a mineral interest becomes vested under division (B) of this section in the owner of the surface of the lands subject to the interest, the owner of the surface of the lands subject to the interest shall do both of the following:

(1) Serve notice by certified mail, return receipt requested, to each holder or each holder's successors or assignees, at the last known address of each, of the owner's intent to declare the mineral interest abandoned. If service of notice cannot be completed to any holder, the owner shall publish notice of the owner's intent to declare the mineral interest abandoned at least once in a newspaper of general circulation in each county in which the land that is subject to the interest is located. The notice shall contain all of the information specified in division (F) of this section.

(2) At least thirty, but not later than sixty days after the date on which the notice required under division (E)(1) of this section is served or published, as applicable, file in the office of the county recorder of each county in which the surface of the land that is subject to the interest is located an affidavit of abandonment that contains all of the information specified in division (G) of this section.

(F) The notice required under division (E)(1) of this section shall contain all of the following:

(1) The name of each holder and the holder's successors and assignees, as applicable;

(2) A description of the surface of the land that is subject to the mineral interest. The description shall include the volume and page number of the recorded deed or other recorded instrument under which the owner of the surface of the lands claims title or otherwise satisfies the requirements established in division (A)(3) of section 5301.52 of the Revised Code.

(3) A description of the mineral interest to be abandoned. The description shall include the volume and page number of the recorded instrument on which the mineral interest is based.

(4) A statement attesting that nothing specified in division (B)(3) of this section has occurred within the twenty years immediately preceding the date on which notice is served or published under division (E) of this section;

(5) A statement of the intent of the owner of the surface of the lands subject to the mineral interest to file in the office of the county recorder an affidavit of abandonment at least thirty, but not later than sixty days after the date on which notice is served or published, as applicable.

(G) An affidavit of abandonment shall contain all of the following:

(1) A statement that the person filing the affidavit is the owner of the surface of the lands subject to the interest;

(2) The volume and page number of the recorded instrument on which the mineral interest is based;

(3) A statement that the mineral interest has been abandoned pursuant to division (B) of this section;

(4) A recitation of the facts constituting the abandonment;

(5) A statement that notice was served on each holder or each holder's successors or assignees or published in accordance with division (E) of this section.

(H)(1) If a holder or a holder's successors or assignees claim that the mineral interest that is the subject of a notice under division (E) of this section has not been abandoned, the holder or the holder's successors or assignees, not later than sixty days after the date on which the notice was served or published, as applicable, shall file in the office of the county recorder of each county where the land that is subject to the mineral interest is located one of the following:

(a) A claim to preserve the mineral interest in accordance with division (C) of this section;

(b) An affidavit that identifies an event described in division (B)(3) of this section that has occurred within the twenty years immediately preceding the date on which the notice was served or published under division (E) of this section.

The holder or the holder's successors or assignees shall notify the person who served or published the notice under division (E) of this section of the filing under this division.

(2) If a holder or a holder's successors or assignees who claim that the mineral interest that is the subject of a notice under division (E) of this section has not been abandoned fails to file a claim to preserve the mineral interest, files such a claim more than sixty days after the date on which the notice was served or published under division (E) of this section, fails to file an affidavit that identifies an event described in division (B)(3) of this section that has occurred within the twenty years immediately preceding the date on which the notice was served or published under division (E) of this section, or files such an affidavit more than sixty days after the date on which the notice was served or published under that division, the owner of the surface of the lands subject to the interest who is seeking to have the interest deemed abandoned and vested in the owner shall file in the office of the county recorder of each county where the land that is subject to the mineral interest is located a notice of failure to file. The notice shall contain all of the following:

(a) A statement that the person filing the notice is the owner of the surface of the lands subject to the mineral interest;

(b) A description of the surface of the land that is subject to the mineral interest;

(c) The statement: "This mineral interest abandoned pursuant to affidavit of abandonment recorded in volume ____, page _____"

Immediately after the notice of failure to file a mineral interest is recorded, the mineral interest shall vest in the owner of the surface of the lands formerly subject to the interest, and the record of the mineral interest shall cease to be notice to the public of the existence of the mineral interest or of any rights under it. In addition, the record shall not be received as evidence in any court in this state on behalf of the former holder or the former holder's successors or assignees against the owner of the surface of the lands formerly subject to the interest. However, the abandonment and vesting of a mineral interest pursuant to divisions (E) to (I) of this section only shall be effective as to the property of the owner that filed the affidavit of abandonment under division (E) of this section.

(I) For purposes of a recording under this section, a county recorder shall charge the fee established under section 317.32 of the Revised Code.

Section 5301.61 | Removal of fixtures or improvements from mortgaged realty.

• Effective: January 1, 1974
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 511 - 109th General Assembly

No person having an interest in real property, buyer, lessee, tenant, or occupant of real property, knowing that such real property is mortgaged or the subject of a land contract, shall remove, or cause or permit the removal of any improvement or fixture from such real property without the consent of the mortgagee, vendor under the land contract, or other person authorized to give such consent.

Section 5301.63 | Solar access easement requirements.

• Effective: August 14, 1979
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 154 - 113th General Assembly

For the purpose of ensuring adequate access of solar energy collection devices to sunlight, any person may grant a solar access easement. Such easements shall be in writing and shall be subject to the same conveyance and recording requirements as other easements.

Any instrument that grants a solar access easement shall include:

(A) A description of the real property burdened and benefited by the solar access easement;

(B) A description of the limits in heights, locations, or both, of permissible development on the burdened land in terms of structures, vegetation, or both, for the purpose of providing solar access for the benefited land;

(C) Any terms or conditions under which the solar access easement is granted or may be terminated;

(D) A term stating that the solar access easement runs with the land, unless terminated in accordance with the terms of the easement regarding termination, or unless otherwise agreed by the parties;

(E) Any other provisions necessary or desirable to execute the instrument.

The owner of the benefited land may prevent any obstruction of the solar access described in the solar access easement by any equitable remedy, and may maintain any action at law for any damages caused by any such obstruction.

Nothing in this section shall affect the status of any recorded easement to protect or ensure adequate access of solar energy collection devices to sunlight conveyed prior to the effective date of this section.

Section 5301.67 | Conservation, agricultural easement definitions.

• Effective: July 26, 2001
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 3 - 124th General Assembly

As used in sections 5301.67 to 5301.70 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Conservation easement" means an incorporeal right or interest in land that is held for the public purpose of retaining land, water, or wetland areas predominantly in their natural, scenic, open, or wooded condition, including, without limitation, the use of land in agriculture when consistent with and in furtherance of the purpose of retaining those areas in such a condition, or retaining their use predominantly as suitable habitat for fish, plants, or wildlife; that imposes any limitations on the use or development of the areas that are appropriate at the time of creation of the conservation easement to achieve one or more of those purposes; and that includes appropriate provisions for the holder to enter the property subject to the easement at reasonable times to ensure compliance with its provisions.

(B) "Agriculture" means those activities occurring on land devoted exclusively to agricultural use, as defined in section 5713.30 of the Revised Code, or on land that constitutes a homestead.

(C) "Agricultural easement" means an incorporeal right or interest in land that is held for the public purpose of retaining the use of land predominantly in agriculture; that imposes any limitations on the use or development of the land that are appropriate at the time of creation of the easement to achieve that purpose; that is in the form of articles of dedication, easement, covenant, restriction, or condition; and that includes appropriate provisions for the holder to enter the property subject to the easement at reasonable times to ensure compliance with its provisions.

(D) "Homestead" means the portion of a farm on which is located a dwelling house, yard, or outbuildings such as a barn or garage.

Section 5301.68 | Granting conservation or agricultural easement.

• Effective: January 1, 2016
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly

An owner of land may grant a conservation easement to the department of natural resources, a park district created under Chapter 1545. of the Revised Code, a township park district created under section 511.18 of the Revised Code, a conservancy district created under Chapter 6101. of the Revised Code, a soil and water conservation district created under Chapter 940. of the Revised Code, a regional water and sewer district created under Chapter 6119. of the Revised Code, a county, a township, a municipal corporation, or a charitable organization that is authorized to hold conservation easements by division (B) of section 5301.69 of the Revised Code, in the form of articles of dedication, easement, covenant, restriction, or condition. An owner of land also may grant an agricultural easement to the director of agriculture; to a municipal corporation, county, township, or soil and water conservation district; or to a charitable organization described in division (B) of section 5301.69 of the Revised Code. An owner of land may grant an agricultural easement only on land that is valued for purposes of real property taxation at its current value for agricultural use under section 5713.31 of the Revised Code or that constitutes a homestead when the easement is granted.

All conservation easements and agricultural easements shall be executed and recorded in the same manner as other instruments conveying interests in land.

Section 5301.69 | Who may acquire conservation or agricultural easement.

• Effective: January 1, 2016
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 64 - 131st General Assembly

(A) The director of natural resources, the board of park commissioners of a park district created under Chapter 1545. of the Revised Code, the board of park commissioners of a township park district created under section 511.18 of the Revised Code, the board of directors of a conservancy district created under Chapter 6101. of the Revised Code, the board of supervisors of a soil and water conservation district created under Chapter 940. of the Revised Code, the board of trustees of a regional water and sewer district created under Chapter 6119. of the Revised Code, the board of county commissioners of a county, the board of township trustees of a township, or the legislative authority of a municipal corporation may acquire conservation easements in the name of the state, the district, or the county, township, or municipal corporation in the same manner as other interests in land may be acquired under section 307.02, 307.18, 505.10, 505.261, 511.23, 717.01, 940.06, 1501.01, 1545.11, 6101.15, or 6119.111 of the Revised Code. Each officer, board, or authority acquiring a conservation easement shall name an appropriate administrative officer, department, or division to supervise and enforce the easement.

(B) A charitable organization may acquire and hold conservation easements if it is exempt from federal taxation under subsection 501(a) and is described in subsection 501(c) of the "Internal Revenue Code of 1954," 68A Stat. 3, 26 U.S.C. 1, as amended, and organized for any of the following purposes: the preservation of land areas for public outdoor recreation or education, or scenic enjoyment; the preservation of historically important land areas or structures; or the protection of natural environmental systems. Such a charitable organization also may acquire and hold agricultural easements subject to the limitation that it may do so only on land that is valued for purposes of real property taxation at its current value for agricultural use under section 5713.31 of the Revised Code or that constitutes a homestead when the easement is granted.

Section 5301.691 | Director of agriculture purchase of agricultural easements.

• Effective: April 15, 2005
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 202 - 125th General Assembly

(A)(1) Subject to divisions (A)(2) and (F) of this section, the director of agriculture, with moneys credited to the agricultural easement purchase fund created in section 901.21 of the Revised Code, may purchase agricultural easements in the name of the state.

(2) Not less than thirty days prior to the acquisition of an agricultural easement under division (A)(1) of this section or the extinguishment of such an easement purchased under that division, the director shall provide written notice of the intention to do so to the board of county commissioners of the county in which the land that is or is proposed to be subject to the easement or extinguishment is located, and either to the legislative authority of the municipal corporation in which the land is located, if it is located in an incorporated area, or to the board of township trustees of the township in which the land is located, if it is located in an unincorporated area. If, within thirty days after the director provides the notice, the board of county commissioners, legislative authority, or board of township trustees requests an informational meeting with the director regarding the proposed acquisition or extinguishment, the director shall meet with the legislative authority or board to respond to the board's or authority's questions and concerns. If a meeting is timely requested under division (A)(2) of this section, the director shall not undertake the proposed acquisition or extinguishment until after the meeting has been concluded.

The director, upon the director's own initiative and prior to the purchase of an agricultural easement under division (A)(1) of this section or the extinguishment of such an easement, may hold an informational meeting with the board of county commissioners and the legislative authority of the municipal corporation or board of township trustees in which land that would be affected by the proposed acquisition or extinguishment is located, to respond to any questions and concerns of the board or authority regarding the proposed acquisition or extinguishment.

(B)(1) Subject to division (F) of this section, the legislative authority of a municipal corporation, board of county commissioners of a county, or board of trustees of a township, with moneys in the political subdivision's general fund not required by law or charter to be used for other specified purposes or with moneys in a special fund of the political subdivision to be used for the purchase of agricultural easements, may purchase agricultural easements in the name of the municipal corporation, county, or township.

(2) Subject to division (F) of this section, the legislative authority of a municipal corporation, board of county commissioners of a county, or board of township trustees of a township may acquire agricultural easements by gift, devise, or bequest. Any terms may be included in an agricultural easement so acquired that are necessary or appropriate to preserve on behalf of the grantor of the easement the favorable tax consequences of the gift, devise, or bequest under the "Internal Revenue Act of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 1, as amended.

(C)(1) Subject to division (F) of this section, the board of supervisors of a soil and water conservation district, with moneys in any fund not required by law to be used for other specified purposes or with moneys provided to the board through matching grants made under section 901.22 of the Revised Code for the purchase of agricultural easements, may purchase agricultural easements in the name of the board.

(2) Subject to division (F) of this section, the board of supervisors of a soil and water conservation district may acquire agricultural easements by gift, devise, or bequest. Any terms may be included in an agricultural easement so acquired that are necessary or appropriate to preserve on behalf of the grantor of the easement the favorable tax consequences of the gift, devise, or bequest under the "Internal Revenue Act of 1986," 100 Stat. 2085, 26 U.S.C.A. 1, as amended.

(D)(1) The term of an agricultural easement purchased wholly or in part with money from the agricultural easement purchase fund shall be perpetual and shall run with the land.

(2) The term of an agricultural easement purchased by the legislative authority of a municipal corporation, board of county commissioners of a county, board of township trustees of a township, or board of supervisors of a soil and water conservation district without the use of any money from the agricultural easement purchase fund may be perpetual or for a specified period. The agricultural easement shall run with the land. The instrument conveying an agricultural easement for a specified period shall include provisions specifying, at a minimum, all of the following:

(a) The consideration to be paid for the easement and manner of payment;

(b) Whether the easement is renewable and, if so, procedures for its renewal;

(c) The circumstances under which the easement may be extinguished;

(d) The method for determining the amount of money, if any, due the holder of the easement upon extinguishment and for payment of that amount to the holder.

(E)(1) The director and each legislative authority of a municipal corporation, board of county commissioners, board of township trustees, or board of supervisors of a soil and water conservation district, upon acquiring an agricultural easement by purchase, gift, devise, or bequest under this section or section 901.21 of the Revised Code, shall name an appropriate administrative officer, department, or division to supervise and enforce the easement. A legislative authority of a municipal corporation, board of county commissioners, or board of township trustees may enter into a contract with the board of park commissioners of a park district established under Chapter 1545. of the Revised Code, the board of park commissioners of a township park district established under section 511.18 of the Revised Code, or the board of supervisors of a soil and water conservation district having territorial jurisdiction within the municipal corporation, county, or township, or with a charitable organization described in division (B) of section 5301.69 of the Revised Code, to supervise on behalf of the legislative authority or board an agricultural easement so acquired. A board of supervisors of a soil and water conservation district may enter into a contract with the board of park commissioners of a park district established under Chapter 1545. of the Revised Code or the board of park commissioners of a township park district established under section 511.18 of the Revised Code having territorial jurisdiction within the soil and water conservation district, or with a charitable organization described in division (B) of section 5301.69 of the Revised Code, to supervise on behalf of the board an agricultural easement so acquired. The contract may be entered into on such terms as are agreeable to the parties and shall specify or prescribe a method for determining the amounts of any payments to be made by the legislative authority, board of county commissioners, board of township trustees, or board of supervisors for the performance of the contract.

(2) With respect to an agricultural easement purchased with a matching grant that is made under division (D) of section 901.22 of the Revised Code and that consists in whole or in part of moneys from the clean Ohio agricultural easement fund created in section 901.21 of the Revised Code, the recipient of the matching grant shall make an annual monitoring visit to the land that is the subject of the easement. The purpose of the visit is to ensure that no development that is prohibited by the terms of the easement has occurred or is occurring. In accordance with rules adopted under division (A)(1)(d) of section 901.22 of the Revised Code, the grant recipient shall prepare a written annual monitoring report and submit it to the office of farmland preservation in the department of agriculture. If necessary to enforce the terms of the easement, the grant recipient shall take corrective action in accordance with those rules. The director may agree to share these monitoring and enforcement responsibilities with the grant recipient.

(F) The director; a municipal corporation, county, township, or soil and water conservation district; or a charitable organization may acquire agricultural easements by purchase, gift, devise, or bequest only on land that is valued for purposes of real property taxation at its current value for agricultural use under section 5713.31 of the Revised Code or that constitutes a homestead when the easement is granted.

(G) An agricultural easement acquired by the director under division (A) of this section may be extinguished if an unexpected change in the conditions of or surrounding the land that is subject to the easement makes impossible or impractical the continued use of the land for the purposes described in the agricultural easement, or if the requirements of the easement are extinguished by judicial proceedings. Upon the sale, exchange, or involuntary conversion of the land subject to the easement, the director shall be paid an amount of money that is at least equal to the proportionate value of the easement compared to the total value of the land at the time the easement was acquired. Moneys so received shall be credited to the agricultural easement purchase fund.

An agricultural easement acquired by a municipal corporation, county, or township under division (B) of this section or by a soil and water conservation district under division (C) of this section may be extinguished under the circumstances prescribed, and in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth, in the instrument conveying the agricultural easement. An agricultural easement acquired by a charitable organization described in division (B) of section 5301.69 of the Revised Code may be extinguished under the circumstances prescribed, and in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth, in the instrument conveying the agricultural easement.

Any instrument extinguishing an agricultural easement shall be executed and recorded in the same manner as other instruments conveying or terminating interests in real property.

(H) Promptly after the recording and indexing of an instrument conveying an agricultural easement to any person or to a municipal corporation, county, township, or soil and water conservation district or of an instrument extinguishing an agricultural easement held by any person or such a political subdivision, the county recorder shall mail, by regular mail, a photocopy of the instrument to the office of farmland preservation in the department of agriculture. The photocopy shall be accompanied by an invoice for the applicable fee established in section 317.32 of the Revised Code. Promptly after receiving the photocopy and invoice, the office of farmland preservation shall remit the fee to the county recorder.

(I) The director, the legislative authority of a municipal corporation, a board of county commissioners, a board of township trustees, or a board of supervisors of a soil and water conservation district may receive and expend grants from any public or private source for the purpose of purchasing agricultural easements and supervising and enforcing them.

Section 5301.692 | Holding land or interests in land for purpose of retaining use of land predominantly in agriculture.

• Effective: April 5, 1999
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 223 - 122nd General Assembly

The legislative authority of a municipal corporation, board of county commissioners of a county, or board of township trustees of a township, in addition to the legislative authority's or board's other powers, may hold land or interests in land for the purpose of retaining the use of the land predominantly in agriculture. The authority and boards may do all things necessary or appropriate to achieve that purpose, including, without limitation, performing any of the activities described in division (A)(1) or (2) of section 5713.30 of the Revised Code or entering into contracts to lease or rent the land or interests in land so held to persons or governmental entities who will use the land predominantly in agriculture.

Section 5301.70 | Enforcement of conservation easement.

• Effective: March 14, 1980
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 504 - 113th General Assembly

Conservation easements are not unenforceable for lack of privity of contract or estate or lack of benefit to a particular dominant estate. Conservation easements are assignable to another entity authorized to hold conservation easements. Nothing in sections 5301.67 to 5301.70 of the Revised Code affects the enforceability of any article of dedication, restriction, easement, covenant, or condition that does not meet the requirements of those sections.

The terms of a conservation easement may be enforced by injunction or in any other civil action by the holder of the easement.

Section 5301.71 | Termination of agricultural leases.

• Effective: July 21, 2022
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 397 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "Agricultural lease agreement" means an agreement or lease, written or oral, that establishes or modifies the terms, conditions, rules, or any other provisions between a landlord and tenant concerning the use and occupancy of real property by one of the parties for agricultural purposes.

(2) "Agricultural purposes" means the use and occupancy of real property for the planting, growing, and harvesting of crops and all practices necessary for that planting, growing, and harvesting. It does not mean the use and occupancy of real property for pasture, timber, farm buildings, horticultural buildings, or leases solely for equipment.

(3) "Landlord" means the owner or lessor of real property used for agricultural purposes that is authorized to receive remuneration from a tenant under an agricultural lease agreement, and has entered into, or has actual or constructive knowledge of, an agricultural lease agreement.

(4) "Tenant" means the person entitled under an agricultural lease agreement to use real property for agricultural purposes to the exclusion of all others.

(B)(1) Notwithstanding anything in Chapter 1335. of the Revised Code, if an agricultural lease agreement does not provide for a termination date or method for notice of termination of the agricultural lease agreement, the landlord shall provide the tenant with written notice of termination. The written notice shall be delivered on or before the first day of September, in the year the termination is to be effective, by personal delivery, facsimile, or electronic mail.

(2) If notice of termination of an agricultural lease agreement is given pursuant to division (B)(1) of this section, the termination date for the agricultural lease agreement shall be the earlier of the following, unless otherwise agreed to, in writing, by the landlord and tenant:

(a) The date harvesting or removal of crops is complete;

(b) The thirty-first day of December in the year in which the notice was given.

(C) This section does not affect the requirements of section 5301.01 of the Revised Code.

Last updated April 29, 2022 at 4:12 PM

Section 5301.80 | Environmental covenants - definitions.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

As used in sections 5301.80 to 5301.92 of the Revised Code:

(A) "Activity and use limitations" means restrictions or obligations created under sections 5301.80 to 5301.92 of the Revised Code with respect to real property.

(B) "Agency" means the environmental protection agency or any other state or federal agency that determines or approves the environmental response project pursuant to which an environmental covenant is created.

(C) "Common interest community" means a condominium, a cooperative, or other real property with respect to which a person, by virtue of the person's ownership of a parcel of real property, is obligated to pay property taxes or insurance premiums or to pay for maintenance or improvement of other real property described in a recorded covenant that creates the common interest community.

(D) "Environmental covenant" means a servitude arising under an environmental response project that imposes activity and use limitations and that meets the requirements established in section 5301.82 of the Revised Code.

(E) "Environmental response project" means a plan or work performed for environmental remediation of real property or for protection of ecological features associated with real property and conducted as follows:

(1) Under a federal or state program governing environmental remediation of real property that is subject to agency review or approval, including property that is the subject of any of the following:

(a) A corrective action, closure, or post-closure pursuant to the "Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976," 90 Stat. 2806, 42 U.S.C.A. 6921, et seq., as amended, or any regulation adopted under that act, or Chapter 3714. or 3734. of the Revised Code or any rule adopted under those chapters, including the use or reservation of soil to be used in the performance of the corrective action, closure, or post-closure care;

(b) A removal or remedial action pursuant to the "Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980," 94 Stat. 2767, 42 U.S.C.A. 9601, et seq., as amended, or any regulation adopted under that act, or Chapter 3734. or 6111. of the Revised Code or any rule adopted under those chapters;

(c) A no further action letter submitted with a request for a covenant not to sue pursuant to section 3746.11 of the Revised Code;

(d) A corrective action pursuant to section 3737.88, 3737.882, or 3737.89 of the Revised Code or any rule adopted under those sections.

(2) Pursuant to a mitigation requirement associated with the section 401 water quality certification program or the isolated wetland program as required by Chapter 6111. of the Revised Code;

(3) Pursuant to a grant commitment or loan agreement entered into pursuant to section 6111.036 or 6111.037 of the Revised Code;

(4) Pursuant to a supplemental environmental project embodied in orders issued by the director of environmental protection pursuant to Chapter 6111. of the Revised Code.

(F) "Holder" means a grantee of an environmental covenant as specified in division (A) of section 5301.81 of the Revised Code.

(G) "Person" includes the state, a political subdivision, another state or local entity, the United States and any agency or instrumentality of it, and any legal entity defined as a person under section 1.59 of the Revised Code.

(H) "Record," when used as a noun, means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

Last updated September 5, 2023 at 3:44 PM

Section 5301.81 | Holder of environmental covenant.

• Effective: December 30, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 516 - 125th General Assembly

(A) Any person, including a person that owns an interest in the real property that is the subject of an environmental covenant, may be a holder. An environmental covenant may identify more than one holder.

(B) The interest of a holder is an interest in real property. However, a right of an agency under sections 5301.80 to 5301.92 of the Revised Code or under an environmental covenant, other than a right as a holder, is not an interest in real property.

Section 5301.82 | Contents of environmental covenant - required signatures.

• Effective: December 30, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 516 - 125th General Assembly

(A) An environmental covenant shall contain all of the following:

(1) A statement that the instrument is an environmental covenant executed pursuant to sections 5301.80 to 5301.92 of the Revised Code;

(2) A legally sufficient description of the real property that is subject to the environmental covenant;

(3) A description of the activity and use limitations on the real property;

(4) Requirements for notice following transfer of a specified interest in, or concerning proposed changes in the use of, applications for building permits for, or proposals for any site work affecting contamination on, the property that is subject to the environmental covenant;

(5) The name or identity of every holder;

(6) Rights of access to the property granted in connection with implementation or enforcement of the environmental covenant;

(7) The signatures of the applicable agency, every holder, and, unless waived by the agency, every owner of the fee simple of the real property that is subject to the environmental covenant;

(8) An identification of the name and location of any administrative record for the environmental response project pursuant to which the environmental covenant is created.

(B) In addition to the information required by division (A) of this section, an environmental covenant may contain other information, restrictions, and requirements agreed to by the persons who signed the environmental covenant, including any of the following:

(1) Requirements for periodic reporting describing compliance with the environmental covenant;

(2) A brief narrative description of contamination on the property and its remedy, including the contaminants of concern, the pathways of exposure, limits on exposure, and the location and extent of the contamination;

(3) Limitations on amendment or termination of the environmental covenant in addition to those established in sections 5301.89 and 5301.90 of the Revised Code;

(4) Rights of the holder in addition to the right to enforce the environmental covenant pursuant to section 5301.91 of the Revised Code.

(C) In addition to other conditions for an agency's approval of an environmental covenant, the agency may require those persons specified by the agency who have interests in the real property that is the subject of the environmental covenant to sign the covenant.

Section 5301.83 | Copies of environmental covenant to be provided.

• Effective: December 30, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 516 - 125th General Assembly

(A) A copy of an environmental covenant shall be provided to all of the following in a manner required by the applicable agency:

(1) Each person that signed the environmental covenant;

(2) Each person holding a recorded interest in the real property that is subject to the environmental covenant;

(3) Each person in possession of the real property that is subject to the environmental covenant;

(4) Each unit of local government in which the real property that is subject to the environmental covenant is located;

(5) Any other person that the agency requires.

(B) The validity of an environmental covenant is not affected by failure to provide a copy of the environmental covenant as required under this section.

Section 5301.84 | Obligations under environmental covenant.

• Effective: December 30, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 516 - 125th General Assembly

An agency is bound by any obligation that it expressly assumes in an environmental covenant, but an agency does not assume obligations merely by signing an environmental covenant. Any other person that signs an environmental covenant is bound by the obligations that the person assumes in the environmental covenant, but signing the environmental covenant does not change obligations, rights, or protections that are granted or imposed under law other than sections 5301.80 to 5301.92 of the Revised Code, except as provided in the environmental covenant.

Section 5301.85 | Environmental covenant runs with land - enforceability.

• Effective: December 30, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 516 - 125th General Assembly

(A) An environmental covenant that complies with sections 5301.80 to 5301.92 of the Revised Code runs with the land.

(B) An environmental covenant that is otherwise effective is valid and enforceable even if any of the following limitations on enforcement of interests applies:

(1) It is not appurtenant to an interest in real property.

(2) It can be or has been assigned to a person other than the original holder.

(3) It is not of a character that has been recognized traditionally at common law.

(4) It imposes a negative burden.

(5) It imposes an affirmative obligation on a person having an interest in the real property or on the holder.

(6) The benefit or burden of the environmental covenant does not touch or concern real property.

(7) There is no privity of estate or contract.

(8) The holder dies, ceases to exist, resigns, or is replaced.

(9) The owner of an interest that is subject to the environmental covenant and the holder are the same person.

(C) An instrument that creates restrictions or obligations with respect to real property that would qualify as activity and use limitations except for the fact that the instrument was recorded before the effective date of sections 5301.80 to 5301.92 of the Revised Code is not invalid or unenforceable because of any of the limitations on enforcement of interests described in division (B) of this section or because it was identified as an easement, servitude, deed restriction, or other interest. Sections 5301.80 to 5301.92 of the Revised Code do not apply in any other respect to such an instrument.

(D) Sections 5301.80 to 5301.92 of the Revised Code do not invalidate or render unenforceable any interest, whether designated as an environmental covenant or other interest, that is otherwise enforceable under the laws of this state.

(E) Nothing in sections 5301.80 to 5301.92 of the Revised Code shall be construed to restrict, affect, or impair the rights of any person under the Revised Code or common law to enter into or record a restrictive covenant, institutional control, easement, servitude, or other restriction on the use of property that does not satisfy the requirements of division (A) of section 5301.82 of the Revised Code and does not have the permission, approval, or consent of an agency, political subdivision, regulatory body, or other unit of government. However, a restrictive covenant, institutional control, easement, servitude, or other restriction on the use of property entered into or recorded without such permission, approval, or consent is not an environmental covenant and is not binding on an agency, political subdivision, regulatory body, or other unit of government.

Section 5301.86 | Antecedent interests in real property - subordination agreement.

• Effective: December 30, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 516 - 125th General Assembly

With respect to interests in real property in existence at the time that an environmental covenant is created or amended, all of the following apply:

(A) An interest that has priority under other law is not affected by an environmental covenant unless the person that owns the interest agrees to subordinate that interest to the environmental covenant.

(B) Sections 5301.80 to 5301.92 of the Revised Code do not require a person that owns a prior interest to subordinate that interest to an environmental covenant or to agree to be bound by the covenant.

(C) A subordination agreement may be contained in an environmental covenant or in a separate record. If the environmental covenant covers commonly owned property in a common interest community, the record may be signed by any person who is authorized by the common interest community.

(D) An agreement by a person to subordinate a prior interest to an environmental covenant affects the priority of that persons's interest, but does not by itself impose any affirmative obligation on the person with respect to the environmental covenant.

Section 5301.87 | Zoning regulations and prior instruments.

• Effective: December 30, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 516 - 125th General Assembly

Sections 5301.80 to 5301.92 of the Revised Code do not authorize a use of real property that is otherwise prohibited by zoning, by law other than sections 5301.80 to 5301.92 of the Revised Code regulating use of real property, or by a recorded instrument that has priority over an environmental covenant. An environmental covenant may prohibit or restrict uses of real property that are authorized by zoning or by law other than sections 5301.80 to 5301.92 of the Revised Code.

Section 5301.88 | Filing and recording of environmental covenants.

• Effective: December 30, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 516 - 125th General Assembly

(A) Except as otherwise provided in division (B) of this section, an environmental covenant and any amendment or termination of the environmental covenant shall be filed in the office of the county recorder of each county in which the real property that is subject to the environmental covenant is located and shall be recorded in the same manner as a deed to the property. For purposes of indexing, a holder shall be treated as a grantee.

(B) Pursuant to Chapter 5309. of the Revised Code, an environmental covenant and any amendment or termination of the environmental covenant in connection with registered land, as defined in section 5309.01 of the Revised Code, shall be entered as a memorial on the page of the register where the title of the owner is registered.

(C) Except as otherwise provided in division (C) of section 5301.89 of the Revised Code, an environmental covenant is subject to the laws of this state governing recording and priority of interest in real property.

Section 5301.89 | Environmental covenant perpetual - exceptions - judicial termination - limitation.

• Effective: December 30, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 516 - 125th General Assembly

(A) An environmental covenant is perpetual unless any of the following applies:

(1) The environmental covenant is limited by its terms to a specific duration or is terminated by its terms by the occurrence of a specific event.

(2) The environmental covenant is terminated by consent pursuant to section 5301.90 of the Revised Code.

(3) The environmental covenant is terminated pursuant to division (B) of this section.

(4) The environmental covenant is terminated by foreclosure of an interest that has priority over the environmental covenant.

(5) The environmental covenant is terminated or modified in an eminent domain proceeding, but only if all of the following apply:

(a) The agency that signed the environmental covenant is a party to the proceeding.

(b) All persons identified in divisions (A) and (B) of section 5301.90 of the Revised code are given notice of the pendency of the proceeding.

(c) The court determines, after a hearing, that the termination or modification will not adversely affect human health or safety or the environment.

(B) If the agency that signed an environmental covenant has determined that the intended benefits of the environmental covenant can no longer be realized, a court, under the doctrine of changed circumstances, in an action in which all persons identified in divisions (A) and (B) of section 5301.90 of the Revised Code have been given notice, may terminate the environmental covenant or reduce its burden on the real property that is subject to the environmental covenant.

(C) Except as otherwise provided in divisions (A) and (B) of this section, an environmental covenant may not be extinguished, limited, or impaired through issuance of a tax deed, foreclosure of a tax lien, or application of the doctrine of adverse possession, prescription, abandonment, waiver, lack of enforcement, or acquiescence or a similar doctrine.

(D) An environmental covenant may not be extinguished, limited, or impaired by application of sections 5301.47 to 5301.56 of the Revised Code.

Section 5301.90 | Amendment or termination of environmental covenant by consent - assignment.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) An environmental covenant may be amended or terminated by consent only if the amendment or termination is signed by all of the following:

(1) The applicable agency;

(2) Unless waived by that agency, the current owner of the fee simple of the real property that is subject to the environmental covenant;

(3) Each person that originally signed the environmental covenant unless one or more of the following apply:

(a) The person waived in a signed record the right to consent;

(b) A court finds that the person no longer exists or cannot be located or identified with the exercise of reasonable diligence;

(c) The applicable agency finds that the signature of the person is not necessary.

(4) Except as otherwise provided in division (D)(2) of this section, each holder.

(B) If an interest in real property is subject to an environmental covenant, the interest is not affected by an amendment of the environmental covenant unless the current owner of the interest consents in writing to the amendment or has waived in a signed record the right to consent to amendments.

(C) Except for an assignment undertaken pursuant to a governmental reorganization, assignment of an environmental covenant to a new holder is an amendment of the environmental covenant.

(D) Except as otherwise provided in an environmental covenant, both of the following apply:

(1) A holder may not assign its interest without consent of the other parties to the environmental covenant specified in division (A) of this section.

(2) A holder may be removed and replaced by agreement of the other parties specified in division (A) of this section.

(E) A court of competent jurisdiction may fill a vacancy in the position of holder.

Last updated September 5, 2023 at 3:46 PM

Section 5301.91 | Civil action for violation - regulatory authority - liability.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) A civil action for injunctive or other equitable relief for violation of an environmental covenant may be maintained by any of the following:

(1) A party to the environmental covenant specified in division (A) of section 5301.90 of the Revised Code that is not otherwise specified in divisions (A)(2) to (7) of this section;

(2) The environmental protection agency;

(3) The applicable agency if it is other than the environmental protection agency;

(4) Any person to whom the environmental covenant expressly grants the authority to maintain such an action;

(5) A person whose interest in the real property or whose collateral or liability may be affected by the alleged violation of the environmental covenant;

(6) A unit of local government in which the real property that is subject to the environmental covenant is located;

(7) An original signatory of the environmental covenant who is no longer an owner of the real property that is subject to the environmental covenant in fee simple.

(B) Sections 5301.80 to 5301.92 of the Revised Code do not limit the regulatory authority of the applicable agency or the environmental protection agency if it is not the applicable agency under any law other than sections 5301.80 to 5301.92 of the Revised Code with respect to an environmental response project.

(C) A person is not responsible for or subject to liability for environmental remediation solely because it has the right to enforce an environmental covenant.

Last updated September 5, 2023 at 3:51 PM

Section 5301.92 | Preemption of federal electronic signatures statute.

• Effective: December 30, 2004
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 516 - 125th General Assembly

Sections 5301.80 to 5301.92 of the Revised Code modify, limit, or supersede the "Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act," 114 Stat. 464 (2000), 15 U.S.C. 7001 et seq., as amended, except that sections 5301.80 to 5301.92 of the Revised Code do not modify, limit, or supersede section 101 of that act, 15 U.S.C. 7001(a), as amended, or authorize electronic delivery of any of the notices described in section 103 of that act, 15 U.S.C. 7003(b), as amended.

Section 5301.93 | Residential PACE lien priority.

• Effective: April 4, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 364 - 134th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section:

(1) "PACE" means property assessed clean energy.

(2) "Qualifying residential real property" means a single family residential dwelling, or other residential dwelling of three or fewer units.

(3) "Residential PACE lien" means the encumbrance on the qualifying residential real property created by the special assessment for a residential PACE loan.

(4) "Residential PACE loan" means the extension of financing that is offered to pay for the installation of cost effective energy improvements on a homeowner's qualifying residential real property and is repayable by the homeowner through a special assessment under section 717.25 or Chapter 1710. of the Revised Code.

(B) Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, a residential PACE lien shall be all of the following:

(1) Subordinate to all liens on the qualifying residential real property recorded prior to the time the residential PACE lien is recorded;

(2) Subordinate to a first mortgage on the qualifying property recorded after the residential PACE lien is recorded;

(3) Subject to division (B)(2) of this section, superior to any other lien on the qualifying residential real property recorded after the residential PACE lien is recorded.

(C) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, in the event of a foreclosure sale of a qualifying residential real property, the holders of any mortgages or other liens, including delinquent special assessments secured by residential PACE liens, shall receive proceeds in accordance with the priorities established under division (B) of this section.

Last updated February 24, 2023 at 1:57 PM

Section 5301.94 | Right-to-list home sale agreements.

• Effective: October 3, 2023
• Latest Legislation: House Bill 33 - 135th General Assembly

(A) As used in this section, "right-to-list home sale agreement" has the same meaning as in section 4735.01 of the Revised Code.

(B) A right-to-list home sale agreement executed, modified, or extended after the effective date of this section is void ab initio and unenforceable.

(C) A right-to-list home sale agreement described in division (B) of this section is an unfair or deceptive act or practice in violation of section 1345.02 of the Revised Code. A residential real estate owner that enters into such a right-to-list home sale agreement has a cause of action against any other party to that agreement and is entitled to the same relief available to a consumer under section 1345.09 of the Revised Code. All powers and remedies available to the attorney general to enforce sections 1345.01 to 1345.13 of the Revised Code are available to the attorney general to enforce this section.

(D) No person shall present for recording, or cause to be presented for recording, by the county recorder in the official records under section 317.08 of the Revised Code a right-to-list home sale agreement described in division (B) of this section.

(E) An owner of residential real estate for which a right-to-list home sale agreement is recorded in violation of division (D) of this section may petition the court of common pleas of the county in which the right-to-list home sale agreement is recorded to declare the agreement void ab initio and unenforceable. If the court determines that the agreement is a right-to-list home sale agreement, a certified copy of the court order, with a complete legal description of the parcel, declaring the agreement void ab initio and unenforceable shall be recorded in the office of the county recorder. The county recorder shall record the order and charge and collect from the person filing the order the fees prescribed in section 317.32 of the Revised Code for the recorder's services. If the court grants the order, the owner may recover actual damages, costs, and attorney's fees from the person that recorded, or caused to be recorded, the right-to-list home sale agreement.

Last updated September 13, 2023 at 12:06 PM

Section 5301.99 | Penalty.

• Effective: March 19, 1979
• Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 508 - 112th General Assembly

(A) Any individual, corporation, or other business entity that violates section 5301.254 of the Revised Code shall be fined not less than five thousand dollars nor more than an amount equal to twenty-five percent of the market value of the real property or mineral or mining rights about which information must be filed with the secretary of state pursuant to section 5301.254 of the Revised Code.

(B) Whoever violates section 5301.61 of the Revised Code is guilty of a misdemeanor of the first degree.