Disclosures Required of Ohio Sellers and Licensees

Sellers of most residential property in Ohio must complete the Residential Property Disclosure Form, disclosing known material defects in items such as the structure, roof, systems, and water conditions. Licensees must give the Ohio Agency Disclosure Statement to clarify representation and must disclose material facts they know about a property, since silence on a known defect can create liability. Ohio is a caveat-emptor state for latent defects the seller does not know about, but it does not excuse fraud, misrepresentation, or active concealment by a seller or licensee. Other disclosures, such as the federal lead-based paint disclosure for pre-1978 homes, also apply.