Cowboys of Lorain- ARE THEY GONNA CALL? Q and A Part Four
January 29, 2013 at 7:22 pm 9 comments
Part One
http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/the-cowboys-of-lorain-building-standards-part-one/
Part Two
http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2013/01/25/the-cowboys-of-lorain-part-two-the-demo-men/
Part three
http://thatwoman.wordpress.com/2013/01/28/the-cowboys-of-lorain-the-process-q-and-a-part-three/
CONTINUING THE QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS: note the red flags 
EMPHASIS MINE
QUESTION – THAT WOMAN
If I have done some work (for example) rewiring – is it up to me as the property owner to request an inspection?
THE CITY ANSWERS:
The property owner MUST REQUEST AN INSPECTION.
The Building Department cannot enter private property without permission.
QuESTION- THAT WOMAN
If so,( REFERRING TO PREVIOUS QUESTION) is the responsibility put on the property owner to contact the Building Dept. Is there any follow up on the building permits pulled as to the condition/ quality of work being done and in a timely manner?
THE CITY ANSWERS:
Yes. At the bottom of the permit, several different job types are listed. When work is completed on these jobs,
“THE OWNERS ARE TO CALL the Building Department” for review. However, the Building Department may not know when work is completed until the owner calls.
QUESTION – THAT WOMAN
Can the property owner still refuse entry to the property for inspection even with a building permit ? Does that limit the inspections from the sidewalk only unless the house is open and unsecured?
THE CITY ANSWERS:
Property owners can refuse entry by our inspectors.
Inspectors are free to do inspections from the sidewalk as well as inspections from the view of a neighboring property, provided the neighbor grants permission to go onto their property to view concerns. If the house is unsecured, the inspector can obtain search warrants in order to enter the property.
PDF FILE – EXTERIOR INSPECTION LIST FOUND HERE :
Exterior Inspection Checklist
FOLLOW UP QUESTION – THAT WOMAN
Just to be clear – are you saying if the work is done on the inside of the property by the property owner unless they agree to let the inspectors in to inspect the work you cannot inspect the work done?
THE CITY ANSWERS:
I have attached “Entry to other structures” for your review. This document outlines the laws restricting access to private property by an inspector. But, to answer your question, the owner has to allow the inspector into his home.
The PDF file ‘ENTRY TO OTHER STRUCTURES ‘ FOUND HERE
Entry to other structures
FOLLOW UP -QUESTION – THAT WOMAN
In essence would I be correct in saying that “we in Lorain are going upon TRUST the property owner will call to have an inspection and if they don’t is there any recourse????
THE CITY ANSWERS:
In talking with Mr. Klinar, over 3800 permits were pulled this past year. With the number of employees we have, we cannot check up on all projects to see how much progress is being done.
Plus, being invited in to review the work also complicates items. Therefore, with the limited number of employees, we wait until the homeowner requests an inspection. As for recourse, unless we inspect it, the City cannot do much.
Note TW …Handcuffed AND STUFFED comes to mind …….
To Be Continued
Entry filed under: city of lorain, Safety, Ripped Off?, notorious opponents of exactitude, Charleston Village, Legal, hell is other people, a Cow -elle opinion, Lorain Multi Property Owners. Tags: trite and tripe, thick as a plank, waste not want not, Lorain, disgraceful, Charleston Village, City of Lorain, local politics, real-estate, Landlords the big business, search warrants, demo men.
1. TMason | January 29, 2013 at 9:59 pm
The tell me why we even need inspectors unless for new construction?
2. Loraine Ritchey | January 29, 2013 at 10:02 pm
Good question and there is more to come
3. Brian | January 30, 2013 at 12:41 am
Remember also, when they are not inspecting they are in court testifying, and when they aren’t doing that they are citing garbage and tall grass.
Question is do we need more certified inspectors or a department of folks to just handle housing so the inspectors can do their jobs more efficiently?
4. Brian | January 30, 2013 at 1:33 am
This is the story many times in Lorain. Homeowner pulls a twenty some dollar permit for something simple.and hangs it in the front window. Then goes and rips out load bearing walls, plumbing, and makes all kinds of flying splices with electrical tape because they are clueless what the electric does besides make the lights work. Everything is covered up with drywall or paneling and walla, it was always there!
5. Loraine Ritchey | January 30, 2013 at 2:13 am
“Then goes and rips out load bearing walls, “ does the old Ghoulardis ring a bell ???? and who got stuck with that Lorain????
There defintely has to be a rethinking of how things have been done in Lorain- Part 5 will cover Occupancy Permits??? another fine mess…..
6. Brian | January 30, 2013 at 2:29 am
Occupancy permits? Once a home is built and approved the first time, it is granted occupancy. The State of Ohio has maximum housing occupancy rates based on age and gender of occupants.
If you are talking about the piece of paper the city gives out for rentals, we are back to the honesty system unless it is a section 8 tenant that is also inspected yearly by Metropolitan Housing.
7. Loraine Ritchey | January 30, 2013 at 12:47 pm
New builds were not the question
and yes it was rental I never realized I was so naive ……..
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