County Auditor warns about rental scams

By Amy HumphreyChief DeputyHamilton County Auditor Jessica Miranda is encouraging local citizens to use the Auditor’s website, www.hamiltoncountyauditor.org, to verify ownership of residential rental properties before committing to rent. “Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, often posing as property owners through online advertisements. They pressure potential renters to pay upfront to secure the property, only to disappear once they’ve received the money,” said Miranda. “It’s crucial to verify that the person you’re dealing with is the legitimate owner or authorized agent of the property.” Under Ohio Law (ORC 5323.01), all residential rental properties must be registered with the County Auditor. Before considering a rental property, Miranda advises citizens to perform a property search on the Auditor’s website. The property information page will not only identify the owner of record but also indicate whether the property is registered as a rental, as required by Ohio law. The registration form, which is scanned and viewable on the Auditor’s site, includes the contact name and phone number of the owner or their authorized agent. Miranda strongly urges citizens to proceed with caution if a rental property is not registered with her office or if the name of the person advertising the property does not...