Conversion Condominium Development: An Issue of Tenants' Rights

It is against the backdrop of burgeoning condominium conversion activity, rental housing shortages and diverse legislative controls that this Note will examine the issue of tenant protection as it has developed in Ohio. The consideration given to conversion condominium development in the 1978 amendments to the Ohio Condominium Property Act creates minimal, if any, protection for either tenants or the rental housing market. This Note will critically examine the pertinent provision of the Ohio Act, outline the municipal tenant protection laws which have subsequently been enacted in metropolitan Cleveland communities and consider the issue of whether these local conversion regulations are a valid exercise of Home Rule power. Finally, the relative merits of state versus local legislation will be discussed.