(127th General Assembly)
(Substitute House Bill Number 56)



AN ACT
To amend sections 1923.01, 1923.02, 1923.04, 1923.06, 1923.081, 1923.12, 1923.13, 1923.14, and 3733.11 of the Revised Code to clarify the rights and duties of the parties to an action for a forcible entry and detainer at a manufactured home park.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio:

SECTION 1.  That sections 1923.01, 1923.02, 1923.04, 1923.06, 1923.081, 1923.12, 1923.13, 1923.14, and 3733.11 of the Revised Code be amended to read as follows:

Sec. 1923.01.  (A) As provided in this chapter, any judge of a county or municipal court or a court of common pleas, within the judge's proper area of jurisdiction, may inquire about persons who make unlawful and forcible entry into lands or tenements and detain them, and about persons who make a lawful and peaceable entry into lands or tenements and hold them unlawfully and by force. If, upon the inquiry, it is found that an unlawful and forcible entry has been made and the lands or tenements are detained, or that, after a lawful entry, lands or tenements are held unlawfully and by force, a judge shall cause the plaintiff in an action under this chapter to have restitution of the lands or tenements.

(B) An action shall be brought under this chapter within two years after the cause of action accrues.

(C) As used in this chapter:

(1) "Tenant" means a person who is entitled under a rental agreement to the use or occupancy of premises, other than premises located in a manufactured home park, to the exclusion of others, except that as used in division (A)(6) of section 1923.02 and section 1923.051 of the Revised Code, "tenant" includes a manufactured home park resident.

(2) "Landlord" means the owner, lessor, or sublessor of premises, or the agent or person the landlord authorizes to manage premises or to receive rent from a tenant under a rental agreement, except, if required by the facts of the action to which the term is applied, "landlord" means a park operator.

(3) "Park operator," "manufactured home," "mobile home," "manufactured home park," and "resident" have Resident" has the same meanings meaning as in section 3733.01 of the Revised Code.

(4) "Residential premises" has the same meaning as in section 5321.01 of the Revised Code, except, if required by the facts of the action to which the term is applied, "residential premises" has the same meaning as in section 3733.01 of the Revised Code.

(5) "Rental agreement" means any agreement or lease, written or oral, that establishes or modifies the terms, conditions, rules, or other provisions concerning the use or occupancy of premises by one of the parties to the agreement or lease, except that "rental agreement," as used in division (A)(13) of section 1923.02 of the Revised Code and where the context requires as used in this chapter, means a rental agreement as defined in division (D) of section 5322.01 of the Revised Code.

(6) "Controlled substance" has the same meaning as in section 3719.01 of the Revised Code.

(7) "School premises" has the same meaning as in section 2925.01 of the Revised Code.

(8) "Sexually oriented offense" and "child-victim oriented offense" have the same meanings as in section 2950.01 of the Revised Code.

(9) "Recreational vehicle" has and "mobile home" have the same meaning meanings as in section 4501.01 of the Revised Code.

(10) "Manufactured home" has the same meaning as in section 3781.06 of the Revised Code.

(11) "Manufactured home park" has the same meaning as in section 3733.01 of the Revised Code and also means any tract of land upon which one or two manufactured or mobile homes used for habitation are parked, either free of charge or for revenue purposes, pursuant to rental agreements between the owners of the manufactured or mobile homes and the owner of the tract of land.

(12) "Park operator" has the same meaning as in section 3733.01 of the Revised Code and also means a landlord of premises upon which one or two manufactured or mobile homes used for habitation are parked, either free of charge or for revenue purposes, pursuant to rental agreements between the owners of the manufactured or mobile homes and a landlord who is not licensed as a manufactured home park operator pursuant to Chapter 3733. of the Revised Code.

(13) "Personal property" means tangible personal property other than a manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle that is the subject of an action under this chapter.

Sec. 1923.02.  (A) Proceedings under this chapter may be had as follows:

(1) Against tenants or manufactured home park residents holding over their terms;

(2) Against tenants or manufactured home park residents in possession under an oral tenancy, who are in default in the payment of rent as provided in division (B) of this section;

(3) In sales of real estate, on executions, orders, or other judicial process, when the judgment debtor was in possession at the time of the rendition of the judgment or decree, by virtue of which the sale was made;

(4) In sales by executors, administrators, or guardians, and on partition, when any of the parties to the complaint were in possession at the commencement of the action, after the sales, so made on execution or otherwise, have been examined by the proper court and adjudged legal;

(5) When the defendant is an occupier of lands or tenements, without color of title, and the complainant has the right of possession to them;

(6) In any other case of the unlawful and forcible detention of lands or tenements. For purposes of this division, in addition to any other type of unlawful and forcible detention of lands or tenements, such a detention may be determined to exist when both of the following apply:

(a) A tenant fails to vacate residential premises within three days after both of the following occur:

(i) The tenant's landlord has actual knowledge of or has reasonable cause to believe that the tenant, any person in the tenant's household, or any person on the premises with the consent of the tenant previously has or presently is engaged in a violation of Chapter 2925. or 3719. of the Revised Code, or of a municipal ordinance that is substantially similar to any section in either of those chapters, which involves a controlled substance and which occurred in, is occurring in, or otherwise was or is connected with the premises, whether or not the tenant or other person has been charged with, has pleaded guilty to or been convicted of, or has been determined to be a delinquent child for an act that, if committed by an adult, would be a violation as described in this division. For purposes of this division, a landlord has "actual knowledge of or has reasonable cause to believe" that a tenant, any person in the tenant's household, or any person on the premises with the consent of the tenant previously has or presently is engaged in a violation as described in this division if a search warrant was issued pursuant to Criminal Rule 41 or Chapter 2933. of the Revised Code; the affidavit presented to obtain the warrant named or described the tenant or person as the individual to be searched and particularly described the tenant's premises as the place to be searched, named or described one or more controlled substances to be searched for and seized, stated substantially the offense under Chapter 2925. or 3719. of the Revised Code or the substantially similar municipal ordinance that occurred in, is occurring in, or otherwise was or is connected with the tenant's premises, and states the factual basis for the affiant's belief that the controlled substances are located on the tenant's premises; the warrant was properly executed by a law enforcement officer and any controlled substance described in the affidavit was found by that officer during the search and seizure; and, subsequent to the search and seizure, the landlord was informed by that or another law enforcement officer of the fact that the tenant or person has or presently is engaged in a violation as described in this division and it occurred in, is occurring in, or otherwise was or is connected with the tenant's premises.

(ii) The landlord gives the tenant the notice required by division (C) of section 5321.17 of the Revised Code.

(b) The court determines, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the tenant, any person in the tenant's household, or any person on the premises with the consent of the tenant previously has or presently is engaged in a violation as described in division (A)(6)(a)(i) of this section.

(7) In cases arising out of Chapter 5313. of the Revised Code. In those cases, the court has the authority to declare a forfeiture of the vendee's rights under a land installment contract and to grant any other claims arising out of the contract.

(8) Against tenants who have breached an obligation that is imposed by section 5321.05 of the Revised Code, other than the obligation specified in division (A)(9) of that section, and that materially affects health and safety. Prior to the commencement of an action under this division, notice shall be given to the tenant and compliance secured with section 5321.11 of the Revised Code.

(9) Against tenants who have breached an obligation imposed upon them by a written rental agreement;

(10) Against manufactured home park residents who have defaulted in the payment of rent or breached the terms of a rental agreement with a manufactured home park operator. Nothing in this division precludes the commencement of an action under division (A)(12) of this section when the additional circumstances described in that division apply.

(11) Against manufactured home park residents who have committed two material violations of the rules of the manufactured home park, of the public health council, or of applicable state and local health and safety codes and who have been notified of the violations in compliance with section 3733.13 of the Revised Code;

(12) Against a manufactured home park resident, or the estate of a manufactured home park resident, who as a result of death or otherwise has been absent from the manufactured home park for a period of thirty consecutive days prior to the commencement of an action under this division and whose manufactured home or mobile home, or recreational vehicle that is parked in the manufactured home park, has been left unoccupied for that thirty-day period, without notice to the park operator and without payment of rent due under the rental agreement with the park operator;

(13) Against occupants of self-service storage facilities, as defined in division (A) of section 5322.01 of the Revised Code, who have breached the terms of a rental agreement or violated section 5322.04 of the Revised Code;

(14) Against any resident or occupant who, pursuant to a rental agreement, resides in or occupies residential premises located within one thousand feet of any school premises and to whom both of the following apply:

(a) The resident's or occupant's name appears on the state registry of sex offenders and child-victim offenders maintained under section 2950.13 of the Revised Code.

(b) The state registry of sex offenders and child-victim offenders indicates that the resident or occupant was convicted of or pleaded guilty to either a sexually oriented offense that is not a registration-exempt sexually oriented offense or a child-victim oriented offense in a criminal prosecution and was not sentenced to a serious youthful offender dispositional sentence for that offense.

(15) Against any tenant who permits any person to occupy residential premises located within one thousand feet of any school premises if both of the following apply to the person:

(a) The person's name appears on the state registry of sex offenders and child-victim offenders maintained under section 2950.13 of the Revised Code.

(b) The state registry of sex offenders and child-victim offenders indicates that the person was convicted of or pleaded guilty to either a sexually oriented offense that is not a registration-exempt sexually oriented offense or a child-victim oriented offense in a criminal prosecution and was not sentenced to a serious youthful offender dispositional sentence for that offense.

(B) If a tenant or manufactured home park resident holding under an oral tenancy is in default in the payment of rent, the tenant or resident forfeits the right of occupancy, and the landlord may, at the landlord's option, terminate the tenancy by notifying the tenant or resident, as provided in section 1923.04 of the Revised Code, to leave the premises, for the restitution of which an action may then be brought under this chapter.

(C)(1) If a tenant or any other person with the tenant's permission resides in or occupies residential premises that are located within one thousand feet of any school premises and is a resident or occupant of the type described in division (A)(14) of this section or a person of the type described in division (A)(15) of this section, the landlord for those residential premises, upon discovery that the tenant or other person is a resident, occupant, or person of that nature, may terminate the rental agreement or tenancy for those residential premises by notifying the tenant and all other occupants, as provided in section 1923.04 of the Revised Code, to leave the premises.

(2) If a landlord is authorized to terminate a rental agreement or tenancy pursuant to division (C)(1) of this section but does not so terminate the rental agreement or tenancy, the landlord is not liable in a tort or other civil action in damages for any injury, death, or loss to person or property that allegedly result from that decision.

(D) This chapter does not apply to a student tenant as defined by division (H) of section 5321.01 of the Revised Code when the college or university proceeds to terminate a rental agreement pursuant to section 5321.031 of the Revised Code.

Sec. 1923.04.  (A) Except as provided in division (B) or (C) of this section, a party desiring to commence an action under this chapter shall notify the adverse party to leave the premises, for the possession of which the action is about to be brought, three or more days before beginning the action, by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by handing a written copy of the notice to the defendant in person, or by leaving it at his the defendant's usual place of abode or at the premises from which the defendant is sought to be evicted.

Every notice given under this section by a landlord to recover residential premises shall contain the following language printed or written in a conspicuous manner: "You are being asked to leave the premises. If you do not leave, an eviction action may be initiated against you. If you are in doubt regarding your legal rights and obligations as a tenant, it is recommended that you seek legal assistance."

(B) The service of notice pursuant to section 5313.06 of the Revised Code constitutes compliance with the notice requirement of division (A) of this section. The service of the notice required by division (C) of section 5321.17 of the Revised Code constitutes compliance with the notice requirement of division (A) of this section.

(C) If the adverse party in an action under this chapter is a deceased resident of a manufactured home park, the notice required by division (A) of this section shall be left at the premises from which the defendant is sought to be evicted and also shall be sent by ordinary mail to the following persons if their names and addresses are known to the park operator:

(1) If a probate court has granted letters testamentary or of administration for the estate of the adverse party in accordance with Title XXI of the Revised Code, the executor or administrator appointed by the probate court;

(2) The deceased resident's spouse and any other members of the deceased resident's immediate family.

Sec. 1923.06.  (A) Any summons in an action, including a claim for possession, pursuant to this chapter shall be issued, be in the form specified, and be served and returned as provided in this section. Such service shall be at least seven days before the day set for trial.

(B) Every summons issued under this section to recover residential premises shall contain the following language printed in a conspicuous manner: "A complaint to evict you has been filed with this court. No person shall be evicted unless the person's right to possession has ended and no person shall be evicted in retaliation for the exercise of the person's lawful rights. If you are depositing rent with the clerk of this court you shall continue to deposit such rent until the time of the court hearing. The failure to continue to deposit such rent may result in your eviction. You may request a trial by jury. You have the right to seek legal assistance. If you cannot afford a lawyer, you may contact your local legal aid or legal service office. If none is available, you may contact your local bar association."

(C) The clerk of the court in which a complaint to evict is filed shall mail any summons by ordinary mail, along with a copy of the complaint, document, or other process to be served, to the defendant at the address set forth in the caption of the summons and to any address set forth in any written instructions furnished to the clerk. The mailing shall be evidenced by a certificate of mailing which the clerk shall complete and file.

In addition to this ordinary mail service, the clerk also shall cause service of that process to be completed under division either of the following:

(1) Division (D) or (E) of this section or both, depending upon which of those two methods of service is requested by the plaintiff upon filing the complaint to evict;

(2) Division (F) of this section if the action relates to a deceased manufactured home park resident.

(D)(1) If requested, the clerk shall deliver sufficient copies of the summons, complaint, document, or other process to be served to, and service shall be made by, one of the following persons:

(a) The sheriff of the county in which the premises are located when the process issues from a court of common pleas or county court;

(b) The bailiff of the court for service when process issues from a municipal court;

(c) Any person who is eighteen years of age or older, who is not a party, and who has been designated by order of the court to make service of process when process issues from any of the courts referred to in divisions (D)(1)(a) and (b) of this section.

(2) The person serving process shall effect service at the premises that are the subject of the forcible entry and detainer action by one of the following means:

(a) By locating the person to be served at the premises to tender a copy of the process and accompanying documents to that person;

(b) By leaving a copy of the summons, complaint, document, or other process with a person of suitable age and discretion found at the premises if the person to be served cannot be found at the time the person making service attempts to serve the summons pursuant to division (D)(2)(a) of this section;

(c) By posting a copy in a conspicuous place on the subject premises if service cannot be made pursuant to divisions (D)(2)(a) and (b) of this section.

(3) Within five days after receiving the summons, complaint, document, or other process from the clerk for service, the person making service shall return the process to the clerk. The person shall indicate on the process which method described in division (D)(2) of this section was used to serve the summons. The clerk shall make the appropriate entry on the appearance docket.

(E) If requested, the clerk shall mail by certified mail, return receipt requested, a copy of the summons, complaint, document, or other process to be served to the address set forth in the caption of the summons and to any address set forth in any written instructions furnished to the clerk.

(F)(1) If the person to be evicted in an action pursuant to this chapter is a deceased manufactured home park resident, the plaintiff shall provide to the clerk the following information:

(a) If the plaintiff knows that a probate court has granted letters testamentary or of administration for the estate of the deceased resident, the name and address of the probate court, the case number of the estate, and the name and address of the executor or administrator appointed by the probate court;

(b) If the plaintiff knows that a probate court has not granted letters testamentary or of administration for the estate of the deceased resident or does not know whether or not a probate court has granted letters testamentary or of administration for the estate, the names and addresses of the deceased resident's spouse and any other members of the deceased resident's immediate family that are known to the plaintiff;

(c) If the plaintiff does not possess the information set forth in division (F)(1)(a) or (b) of this section, an affidavit from the plaintiff stating that the plaintiff does not possess the information.

(2)(a) Upon receipt from the plaintiff of the information set forth in division (F)(1)(a) of this section, the clerk shall mail by certified mail, return receipt requested, a copy of the summons, complaint, document, or other process to be served to the address of the executor or administrator appointed by the probate court.

(b) Upon receipt from the plaintiff of the information set forth in division (F)(1)(b) or (c) of this section, the clerk shall do both of the following:

(i) Mail by ordinary mail and by certified mail, return receipt requested, a copy of the summons, complaint, document, or other process to be served to the persons and addresses provided by the plaintiff, if any. The ordinary mail mailing shall be evidenced by a certificate of mailing that the clerk shall complete and file.

(ii) Cause service of notice to be made by publication in a newspaper of general circulation in the county in which the complaint is filed. The publication shall set forth the name and address of the court, the case number, the name and address of the plaintiff or the plaintiff's attorney, and the name and address of the deceased manufactured home park resident. The publication shall describe the premises entered upon and detained, shall contain a summary statement of the object of the eviction complaint against the deceased resident, and shall state that the claim for restitution of the premises shall be scheduled for a hearing in accordance with local court rules, but in no event sooner than the seventh day from the date service is complete. The clerk shall cause the publication to be published at least once a week for two weeks.

(G) Service of process shall be deemed complete on the date that any of the following has occurred:

(1) Service is made pursuant to division (D)(2)(a) or (b) of this section.

(2) Both ordinary mail service under division (C) and service by posting pursuant to division (D)(2)(c) of this section have been made.

(3) For service performed pursuant to division (E) or (F)(2)(a) of this section, on the date of mailing, if on the date of the hearing either of the following applies:

(a) The certified mail has not been returned for any reason other than refused or unclaimed.

(b) The certified mail has not been endorsed, and the ordinary mail has not been returned.

(G)(4) For service performed under division (F)(2)(b) of this section, on the date of mailing under division (F)(2)(b)(i) of this section or on the date of the last publication under division (F)(2)(b)(ii) of this section, whichever is later, if on the date of the hearing, either of the following applies:

(a) The certified mail has not been returned for any reason other than refused or unclaimed.

(b) The certified mail has not been endorsed, and the ordinary mail has not been returned.

(H)(1) The claim for restitution of the premises shall be scheduled for hearing in accordance with local court rules, but in no event sooner than the seventh day from the date service is complete.

(2) Answer day for any other claims filed with the claim for possession shall be twenty-eight days from the date service is deemed complete under this section.

(I) As used in this section, "immediate family" means a person's spouse, brothers and sisters of the whole or half blood, children, including adopted children and stepchildren, parents, and grandparents.

Sec. 1923.081.  A trial in an action for forcible entry and detainer for residential premises, other than an action against a deceased resident of a manufactured home park, or for a storage space at a self-service storage facility, as defined in division (A) of section 5322.01 of the Revised Code, pursuant to this chapter may also include a trial on claims of the plaintiff for past due rent and other damages under a rental agreement, unless for good cause shown the court continues the trial on those claims. For purposes of this section, good cause includes the request of the defendant to file an answer or counterclaim to the claims of the plaintiff or for discovery, in which case the proceedings shall be the same in all respects as in other civil cases. If, at the time of the trial, the defendant has filed an answer or counterclaim, the trial may proceed on the claims of the plaintiff and the defendant. A plaintiff who is a park operator may seek a judgment for past due rent and other damages under a rental agreement against a deceased manufactured home park resident in a separate civil action for damages.

Sec. 1923.12. (A) If a resident or a resident's estate has been evicted from a manufactured home park pursuant to a judgment entered under section 1923.09 or 1923.11 of the Revised Code and if the resident or estate has abandoned or otherwise left unoccupied the resident's manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle on the residential premises of the manufactured home park for a period of three days following the entry of the judgment, the operator of the manufactured home park may provide to the titled owner of the home or vehicle a written notice to remove the home or vehicle from the manufactured home park within fourteen days from the date of the delivery of the notice. The park operator shall deliver or cause the delivery of the notice by personal delivery to the owner or by ordinary mail sent to the last known address of the owner. Except as provided in divisions (D) and (E) of this section, if the owner of the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle does not remove it or cause it to be removed from the manufactured home park within fourteen days from the date of the delivery of the notice, the park operator may follow the procedures of division (B) of section 1923.13 and division (B) of section 1923.14 of the Revised Code to permit the removal of the home or vehicle from the manufactured home park, and the potential sale, destruction, or transfer of ownership of the home or vehicle.

(B) Every notice provided to the titled owner of a manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle under this section shall contain the following language printed in a conspicuous manner: "You are being asked to remove your manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle from the residential premises of .........., a manufactured home park, in accordance with a judgment of eviction entered in .......... court on .......... against ........... If the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle is not removed from the manufactured home park within fourteen days from the date of delivery of this notice, the home or vehicle may be sold or destroyed, or its title may be transferred to .........., pursuant to division (B) of both sections 1923.13 and 1923.14 of the Revised Code. If you are in doubt regarding your legal rights, it is recommended that you seek legal assistance."

(C) Before requesting a writ of execution under division (B) of section 1923.13 of the Revised Code, the park operator shall conduct or cause to be conducted a search of the appropriate public records that relate to the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle, and make or cause to be made reasonably diligent inquiries, for the purpose of identifying any persons who have an outstanding right, title, or interest in the home or vehicle. If the search or inquiries reveal any person who has an outstanding right, title, or interest in the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle, the park operator shall list the name and last known address of each person with a right, title, or interest of that nature on its request for the writ of execution. In addition, if personal property has been abandoned on the residential premises and the park operator has knowledge of any person who has an outstanding right, title, or interest in any of the personal property, the park operator shall list the item or items of personal property and the name and last known address of each person with the outstanding right, title, or interest on the request for the writ of execution. The park operator also shall certify on the request that the park operator provided the written notice required by this section. The clerk of the municipal court, county court, or court of common pleas may require the park operator to pay an advance deposit sufficient to secure payment of the appraisal of the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle and the advertisement of the sale of the home or vehicle.

(D) When a deceased resident or a resident's estate has been evicted from a manufactured home park pursuant to a judgment entered under section 1923.09 or 1923.11 of the Revised Code, the removal from the park and potential sale, destruction, or transfer of ownership of the resident's manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle and any personal property abandoned on the residential premises shall be conducted in the manner prescribed by the probate court in which letters testamentary or of administration have been granted for the estate in accordance with Title XXI of the Revised Code. The park operator may store the resident's manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle at a storage facility or at another location within the manufactured home park during the administration of the estate. The park operator shall notify the executor or administrator of the resident's estate where the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle will be stored during the administration of the estate. The costs for the removal and storage of the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle shall be a claim against the resident's estate without further presentation of the claim to the executor or administrator.

(E)(1) When the resident who has been evicted from a manufactured home park pursuant to a judgment entered under section 1923.09 or 1923.11 of the Revised Code is the titled owner of a manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle and is or becomes deceased prior to the removal of the home or vehicle from the manufactured home park, and no probate court has granted letters testamentary or of administration with respect to the resident's estate, the park operator may store the home or vehicle at a storage facility or at another location within the manufactured home park before and after a probate court grants letters testamentary or of administration with respect to the resident's estate pursuant to Title XXI of the Revised Code.

(2) If no probate court grants letters testamentary or of administration with respect to the resident's estate within one year of the date of the eviction of the resident from the manufactured home park pursuant to a judgment entered under section 1923.09 or 1923.11 of the Revised Code, the park operator may follow the procedures of division (B) of section 1923.13 and division (B) of section 1923.14 of the Revised Code to permit the removal of the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle from the park and potential sale, destruction, or transfer of ownership of the home or vehicle.

(3) If a probate court grants letters testamentary or of administration with respect to the resident's estate within one year of the date of the eviction of the resident from the park, the removal of the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle from the park and potential sale, destruction, or transfer of ownership of the home or vehicle shall be conducted pursuant to division (D) of this section.

Sec. 1923.13. (A) When a judgment of restitution is entered by a court in an action under this chapter, unless the plaintiff or the plaintiff's agent or attorney proceeds under division (B) of this section, at the request of the plaintiff or the plaintiff's agent or attorney, that court shall issue a writ of execution on the judgment, in the following form, as near as practicable:

"The state of Ohio, ........................ county: To any constable or police officer of ................... township, city, or village; or To the sheriff of ............................... county; or To any authorized bailiff of the ............ (name of court):

Whereas, in a certain action for the forcible entry and detention (or the forcible detention, as the case may be), of the following described premises, to wit: ............, lately tried before this court, wherein ............... was plaintiff, and .......... was defendant, .............. judgment was rendered on the ........ day of ............, ............, that the plaintiff have restitution of those premises; and also that the plaintiff recover costs in the sum of .............. You therefore are hereby commanded to cause the defendant to be forthwith removed from those premises, and the plaintiff to have restitution of them; also, that you levy of the goods and chattels of the defendant, and make the costs previously mentioned and all accruing costs, and of this writ make legal service and due return.

Witness my hand, this ....... day of ....., ......... .......................... Judge, .......... (Name of court)"

(B) When a judgment of restitution is entered by a court in any action under this chapter against a manufactured home park resident or the estate of a manufactured home park resident, at the request of the plaintiff or the plaintiff's agent or attorney, that court shall issue a writ of execution on the judgment, in the following form, as near as practicable:

"The state of Ohio, .......... county; To any constable or police officer of .......... township, city, or village; or To the sheriff of .......... county; or To any authorized bailiff of the .......... (name of court):

Whereas, in a certain action for eviction of a resident or a resident's estate from the following described residential premises of a manufactured home park on which the following described manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle is located, to wit: .........., lately tried before this court, wherein .......... was plaintiff, and .......... was defendant, .......... judgment was rendered on the .......... day of .........., .........., that the plaintiff have restitution of the premises and also that the plaintiff recover costs in the sum of ........... You therefore are hereby authorized to cause the defendant to be removed from the residential premises, if necessary. Also, you are to levy of the goods and chattels of the defendant, and make the costs previously mentioned and all accruing costs, and of this writ make legal service and due return.

Further, you are authorized to cause the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle, and all personal property and vehicles of the defendant on the residential premises, to be, at your option, either (1) removed from the manufactured home park and, if necessary, moved to a storage facility of your choice, or (2) retained at their current location on the residential premises, until they are disposed of in a manner authorized by this writ or the law of this state.

If the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle has been abandoned by the defendant and the requirements of section 1923.12 of the Revised Code have been satisfied, you are hereby authorized to cause the sale of the home or vehicle and personal property in the home or vehicle in accordance with division (B)(3) of section 1923.14 of the Revised Code. A search of appropriate public records or other reasonably diligent inquiries reveals the following persons, whose last known addresses are listed next to their names, may continue to have an outstanding right, title, or interest in the home or vehicle: .......... In addition, the following persons, whose last known addresses are listed next to their names, may continue to have an outstanding right, title, or interest in certain personal property left in the home and listed next to their names: ............ If you are unable to sell the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle due to a want of bidders, after it is offered for sale on two occasions, you are hereby commanded to cause the presentation of this writ to the a clerk of this the court of common pleas for the issuance of a certificate of title transferring the title of the home or vehicle to the plaintiff, free and clear of all security interests, liens, and encumbrances, in accordance with division (B)(3) of section 1923.14 of the Revised Code.

If the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle has been so abandoned and has a value of less than three thousand dollars and if the requirements of section 1923.12 of the Revised Code have been satisfied, you are hereby authorized either to cause the sale or destruction of the home or vehicle, or to cause the presentation of this writ to the a clerk of this the court of common pleas for the issuance of a certificate of title transferring the title of the home or vehicle to the plaintiff, free and clear of all security interests, liens, and encumbrances, in accordance with division (B)(4) of section 1923.14 of the Revised Code.

Upon this writ's presentation by the levying officer to the a clerk of this the court of common pleas under the circumstances described in either of the two preceding paragraphs and in accordance with division (B)(3) or (4) of section 1923.14 of the Revised Code, as applicable, the clerk is hereby commanded to issue a certificate of title transferring the title of the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle to the plaintiff, free and clear of all security interests, liens, and encumbrances, in the manner prescribed in section 4505.10 of the Revised Code.

Witness my hand, this .......... day of .........., .......... , .......... Judge, .......... (Name of court)."

Sec. 1923.14. (A) Except as otherwise provided in this section, within ten days after receiving a writ of execution described in division (A) or (B) of section 1923.13 of the Revised Code, the sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff shall execute it by restoring the plaintiff to the possession of the premises, and shall levy and collect the costs and make return, as upon other executions. If an appeal from the judgment of restitution is filed and if, following the filing of the appeal, a stay of execution is obtained and any required bond is filed with the court of common pleas, municipal court, or county court, the judge of that court immediately shall issue an order to the sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff commanding the delay of all further proceedings upon the execution. If the premises have been restored to the plaintiff, the sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff shall forthwith place the defendant in possession of them, and return the writ with the sheriff's, police officer's, constable's, or bailiff's proceedings and the costs taxed on it.

(B)(1) After a court of common pleas, municipal court, or county court issues a writ of execution described in division (B) of section 1923.13 of the Revised Code, the clerk of the court shall send by regular mail, to the last known address of the titled owner of the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle that is the subject of the writ and to the last known address of each other person who is listed on the writ as having any outstanding right, title, or interest in the home or, vehicle, or personal property and to the auditor and treasurer of the county in which the court is located, a written notice that the home or vehicle potentially may be sold, destroyed, or have its title transferred under the circumstances described in division (B)(3) or (4) of this section.

(2) After Except as otherwise provided in this division, after receiving a writ of execution described in division (B) of section 1923.13 of the Revised Code, and after causing the defendant to be removed from the residential premises of the manufactured home park, if necessary, in accordance with the writ, the sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff may cause the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle that is the subject of the writ, and all personal property and vehicles of the defendant on the residential premises, at the sheriff's, police officer's, constable's, or bailiff's option, either to be removed from the manufactured home park and, if necessary, moved to a storage facility of the sheriff's, police officer's, constable's, or bailiff's choice, or to be retained at their current location on the residential premises, until they are claimed by the defendant or they are disposed of in a manner authorized by division (B)(3) or, (4), or (6) of this section or by another section of the Revised Code. The sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff shall not cause the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle that is the subject of the writ, or the personal property, to be removed from the manufactured home park or moved to a storage facility if the holder of any outstanding lien, right, title, or interest in the home or vehicle, other than the titled owner of the home or vehicle, meets the conditions set forth in division (B)(6) or (7) of this section.

The sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff who removes the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle, or the abandoned personal property and vehicles of the defendant, from the residential premises shall be immune from civil liability pursuant to section 2744.03 of the Revised Code for any damage caused to the home, any vehicle, or any personal property during the removal. The park operator shall not be liable for any damage caused by the park operator's removal of the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle, or, the removal of the personal property or vehicles of the defendant, from the residential premises, or for any damage to the home, vehicle, or personal property and vehicles of the defendant during the time the home, vehicle, or property remains abandoned or stored in the manufactured home park, unless the damage is the result of acts that the park operator or the park operator's agents or employees performed with malicious purpose, in bad faith, or in a wanton or reckless manner. The reasonable costs for a removal of the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle and personal property and, as applicable, the reasonable costs for its storage shall constitute a lien upon the home or vehicle payable by its the titled owner of the home or vehicle or payable pursuant to division (B)(3) of this section.

(3) Except as provided in divisions (B)(4) and, (5), and (6) of this section and division (D) of section 1923.12 of the Revised Code, within sixty days after receiving a writ of execution described in division (B) of section 1923.13 of the Revised Code, the sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff shall commence proceedings for the sale of the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle that is the subject of the writ, and the abandoned personal property on the residential premises, if it the home or vehicle is determined to be abandoned in accordance with the procedures for the sale of goods on execution under Chapter 2329. of the Revised Code. In addition to all notices required to be given under section 2329.13 of the Revised Code, the sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff shall serve at their respective last known addresses a written notice of the date, time, and place of the sale upon all persons who are listed on the writ of execution as having any outstanding right, title, or interest in the abandoned manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle and the personal property and shall provide written notice to the auditor and the treasurer of the county in which the court issuing the writ is located.

Notwithstanding Unless the proceedings are governed by division (D) of section 1923.12 of the Revised Code, notwithstanding any statutory provision to the contrary, including, but not limited to, section 2329.66 of the Revised Code, there shall be no stay of execution or exemption from levy or sale on execution available to the titled owner of the abandoned manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle in relation to a sale under this division. The Except as otherwise provided in sections 2113.031, 2117.25, and 5111.11 of the Revised Code in a case involving a deceased resident or resident's estate, the sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff shall distribute the proceeds from the sale of an abandoned manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle and any personal property under this division in the following manner:

(a) The sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff shall first pay the costs for any moving of and any storage outside the manufactured home park of the home or vehicle and any personal property pursuant to division (B)(2) of this section, the costs of the sale, including reimbursing the park operator for the deposit that the park operator paid to the clerk of court under division (C) of section 1923.12 of the Revised Code, and any unpaid court costs assessed against the defendant in the underlying action.

(b) Following the payment required by division (B)(3)(a) of this section, the sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff shall pay all outstanding tax liens on the home or vehicle.

(c) Following the payment required by division (B)(3)(b) of this section, the sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff shall pay all other outstanding security interests, liens, or encumbrances on the home or vehicle by priority of filing or other priority.

(d) Following the payment required by division (B)(3)(c) of this section, the sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff shall pay any outstanding monetary judgment rendered under section 1923.09 or 1923.11 of the Revised Code in favor of the plaintiff and any costs associated with retaining the home or vehicle prior to the sale at its location on the residential premises within the manufactured home park pursuant to division (B)(2) of this section.

(e) After complying with divisions (B)(3)(a) to (d) of this section, the sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff shall report any remaining money as unclaimed funds pursuant to Chapter 169. of the Revised Code.

Upon the return of any writ of execution for the satisfaction of which an abandoned manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle has been sold under this division, on careful examination of the proceedings of the sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff conducting the sale, if the court that issued the writ finds that the sale was made, in all respects, in conformity with the relevant provisions of Chapter 2329. of the Revised Code and with this division, it shall direct the clerk of the court to make an entry on the journal that the court is satisfied with the legality of the sale and the court shall direct the clerk of the court of common pleas of the county in which the writ was issued to issue a certificate of title, free and clear of all security interests, liens, and encumbrances, to the purchaser of the home or vehicle. The clerk of the court of common pleas shall issue the new certificate of title to the purchaser of the home or vehicle regardless of whether the writ was issued by the court of common pleas or another court duly authorized to issue the writ. If the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle sold under this division is located in a manufactured home park, the purchaser of the home or vehicle shall have no right to maintain the home or vehicle in the manufactured home park without the park operator's consent and the sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff conducting the sale shall notify all prospective purchasers of this fact prior to the commencement of the sale.

If, after it is offered for sale on two occasions under this division, the abandoned manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle cannot be sold due to a want of bidders, the sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff shall present the writ of execution unsatisfied to the clerk of the court that issued of common pleas of the county in which the writ was issued for the issuance by the clerk in the manner prescribed in section 4505.10 of the Revised Code of a certificate of title transferring the title of the home or vehicle to the plaintiff, free and clear of all security interests, liens, and encumbrances. The clerk of the court of common pleas shall issue the new certificate of title transferring the title of the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle to the plaintiff regardless of whether the writ was issued by the court of common pleas or another court duly authorized to issue the writ. If any taxes are owed on the home or vehicle at this time, the county auditor shall remove the delinquent taxes from the manufactured home tax list and the delinquent manufactured home tax list and remit any penalties for late payment of manufactured home taxes. Acceptance of the certificate of title by the plaintiff terminates all further proceedings under this section.

(4) Except as provided in division (B)(5) or (6) of this section and division (D) of section 1923.12 of the Revised Code, within sixty days after receiving a writ of execution described in division (B) of section 1923.13 of the Revised Code, if the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle is determined to be abandoned and to have a value of less than three thousand dollars, the sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff shall serve at their respective last known addresses a written notice of potential action as described in this division upon all persons who are listed on the writ as having any outstanding right, title, or interest in the home or vehicle. This notice shall be in addition to all notices required to be given under section 2329.13 of the Revised Code. Subject to the fulfillment of these notice requirements, the sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff shall take one of the following actions with respect to the abandoned manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle:

(a) Cause its destruction if there is no person having an outstanding right, title, or interest in it the home or vehicle, other than the titled owner of the home or vehicle;

(b) Proceed with its sale under division (B)(3) of this section;

(c) If there is no person having an outstanding right, title, or interest in the home or vehicle other than the titled owner of the home or vehicle, or if there is an outstanding right, title, or interest in the home or vehicle and the lienholder consents in writing, present the writ of execution to the clerk of the court that issued of common pleas of the county in which the writ was issued for the issuance by the clerk in the manner prescribed in section 4505.10 of the Revised Code of a certificate of title transferring the title of the home or vehicle to the plaintiff, free and clear of all security interests, liens, and encumbrances. The clerk of the court of common pleas shall issue the new certificate of title transferring the title of the home or vehicle regardless of whether the writ was issued by the court of common pleas or another court duly authorized to issue the writ. If any taxes are owed on the home or vehicle at this time, the county auditor shall remove the delinquent taxes from the manufactured home tax list and the delinquent manufactured home tax list and remit any penalties for late payment of manufactured home taxes. Acceptance of the certificate of title by the plaintiff terminates all further proceedings under this section.

(5) At any time prior to the issuance of the writ of execution described in division (B) of section 1923.13 of the Revised Code, the titled owner of the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle that would be the subject of the writ may remove the abandoned home or vehicle from the manufactured home park or other place of storage upon payment to the county auditor of all outstanding tax liens on the home or vehicle and, unless the owner is indigent, payment to the clerk of court of all unpaid court costs assessed against the defendant in the underlying action. After the issuance of the writ of execution, the titled owner of the home or vehicle may remove the abandoned home or vehicle from the manufactured home park or other place of storage at any time up to the day before the scheduled sale, destruction, or transfer of the home or vehicle pursuant to division (B)(3) or (4) of this section upon payment of all of the following:

(a) All costs for moving and storage of the home or vehicle pursuant to division (B)(2) of this section and all costs incurred by the sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff up to and including the date of the removal of the home or vehicle;

(b) All outstanding tax liens on the home or vehicle;

(c) Unless the owner is indigent, all unpaid court costs assessed against the defendant in the underlying action.

(6) At any time after the issuance of the writ of execution described in division (B) of section 1923.13 of the Revised Code, the holder of any outstanding lien, right, title, or interest in the manufactured home, mobile home, or recreational vehicle, other than the titled owner of the home or vehicle, may stop the sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff from proceeding with the sale under this division by doing both of the following:

(a) Commencing a proceeding to repossess the home or vehicle pursuant to Chapters 1309. and 1317. of the Revised Code;

(b) Paying to the park operator all monthly rental payments for the lot on which the home or vehicle is located from the time of the issuance of the writ of execution until the time that the home or vehicle is sold pursuant to Chapters 1309. and 1317. of the Revised Code.

(7)(a) At any time prior to the day before the scheduled sale of the property pursuant to division (B) (3) of this section, the defendant may remove any personal property of the defendant from the abandoned home or vehicle or other place of storage.

(b) If personal property owned by a person other than the defendant is abandoned on the residential premises and has not previously been removed, the owner of the personal property may remove the personal property from the abandoned home or vehicle or other place of storage up to the day before the scheduled sale of the property pursuant to division (B)(3) of this section upon presentation of proof of ownership of the property that is satisfactory to the sheriff, police officer, constable, or bailiff conducting the sale.

Sec. 3733.11.  (A)(1) The park operator shall offer each home owner a written rental agreement for a manufactured home park lot for a term of one year or more that contains terms essentially the same as any alternative month-to-month rental agreement offered to current and prospective tenants and owners. The park operator shall offer the minimum one-year rental agreement to the owner prior to installation of the home in the manufactured home park or, if the home is in the manufactured home park, prior to the expiration of the owner's existing rental agreement.

(2) The park operator shall deliver the offer to the owner by certified mail, return receipt requested, or in person. If the park operator delivers the offer to the owner in person, the owner shall complete a return showing receipt of the offer. If the owner does not accept the offer, the park operator is discharged from any obligation to make any further such offers. If the owner accepts the offer, the park operator shall, at the expiration of each successive rental agreement, offer the owner another rental agreement, for a term that is mutually agreed upon, and that contains terms essentially the same as the alternative month-to-month agreement. The park operator shall deliver subsequent rental offers in the same manner as the first rental offer by ordinary mail or personal delivery. If the park operator sells the manufactured home park to another manufactured home park operator, the purchaser is bound by the rental agreements entered into by his the purchaser's predecessor.

(3) If the park operator sells the manufactured home park for a use other than as a manufactured home park, the park operator shall give each tenant and owner a written notification by certified mail, return receipt requested, or by handing it to the tenant or owner in person. If the park operator delivers the notification in person, the recipient shall complete a return showing receipt of the notification. This notification shall contain notice of the sale of the manufactured home park, and notice of the date by which the tenant or owner shall vacate. The date by which the tenant shall vacate shall be at least one hundred twenty days after receipt of the written notification, and the date by which the owner shall vacate shall be at least one hundred eighty days after receipt of the written notification.

(B) A park operator shall fully disclose in writing all fees, charges, assessments, including rental fees, and rules prior to a tenant or owner executing a rental agreement and assuming occupancy in the manufactured home park. No fees, charges, assessments, or rental fees so disclosed may be increased nor rules changed by a park operator without specifying the date of implementation of the changed fees, charges, assessments, rental fees, or rules, which date shall be not less than thirty days after written notice of the change and its effective date to all tenants or owners in the manufactured home park, and no fee, charge, assessment, or rental fee shall be increased during the term of any tenant's or owner's rental agreement. Failure on the part of the park operator to fully disclose all fees, charges, or assessments shall prevent the park operator from collecting the undisclosed fees, charges, or assessments. If a tenant or owner refuses to pay any undisclosed fees, charges, or assessments, the refusal shall not be used by the park operator as a cause for eviction in any court.

(C) A park operator shall promulgate rules governing the rental or occupancy of a lot in the manufactured home park. The rules shall not be unreasonable, arbitrary, or capricious. A copy of the rules and any amendments to them shall be delivered by the park operator to the tenant or owner prior to signing the rental agreement. A copy of the rules and any amendments to them shall be posted in a conspicuous place upon the manufactured home park grounds.

(D) No park operator shall require an owner to purchase from the park operator any personal property. The park operator may determine by rule the style or quality of skirting, equipment for tying down homes, manufactured or mobile home accessories, or other equipment to be purchased by an owner from a vendor of the owner's choosing, provided that the equipment is readily available to the owner. Any such equipment shall be installed in accordance with the manufactured home park rules.

(E) No park operator shall charge any owner who chooses to install an electric or gas appliance in a home an additional fee solely on the basis of the installation, unless the installation is performed by the park operator at the request of the owner, nor shall the park operator restrict the installation, service, or maintenance of the appliance, restrict the ingress or egress of repairpersons to the manufactured home park for the purpose of installation, service, or maintenance of the appliance, nor restrict the making of any interior improvement in a home, if the installation or improvement is in compliance with applicable building codes and other provisions of law and if adequate utility services are available for the installation or improvement.

(F) No park operator shall require a tenant to lease or an owner to purchase a manufactured or mobile home from the park operator or any specific person as a condition of or prerequisite to entering into a rental agreement.

(G) No park operator shall require an owner to use the services of the park operator or any other specific person for installation of the manufactured or mobile home on the residential premises or for the performance of any service.

(H) No park operator shall:

(1) Deny any owner the right to sell the owner's manufactured home within the manufactured home park if the owner gives the park operator ten days' notice of the intention to sell the home;

(2) Require the owner to remove the home from the manufactured home park solely on the basis of the sale of the home;

(3) Unreasonably refuse to enter into a rental agreement with a purchaser of a home located within the operator's manufactured home park;

(4) Charge any tenant or owner any fee, charge, or assessment, including a rental fee, that is not set forth in the rental agreement or, if the rental agreement is oral, is not set forth in a written disclosure given to the tenant or owner prior to the tenant or owner entering into a rental agreement;

(5) Charge any owner any fee, charge, or assessment because of the transfer of ownership of a home or because a home is moved out of or into the manufactured home park, except a charge for the actual costs and expenses that are incurred by the park operator in moving the home out of or into the manufactured home park, or in installing the home in the manufactured home park and that have not been reimbursed by another tenant or owner.

(I) If the park operator violates any provision of divisions (A) to (H) of this section, the tenant or owner may recover actual damages resulting from the violation, and, if the tenant or owner obtains a judgment, reasonable attorneys' fees, or terminate the rental agreement.

(J) No rental agreement shall require a tenant or owner to sell, lease, or sublet the tenant's or owner's interest in the rental agreement or the manufactured or mobile home that is or will be located on the lot that is the subject of the rental agreement to any specific person or through any specific person as the person's agent.

(K) No park operator shall enter into a rental agreement with the owner of a manufactured or mobile home for the use of residential premises, if the rental agreement requires the owner of the home, as a condition to the owner's renting, occupying, or remaining on the residential premises, to pay the park operator or any other person specified in the rental agreement a fee or any sum of money based on the sale of the home, unless the owner of the home uses the park operator or other person as the owner's agent in the sale of the home.

(L) A park operator and a tenant or owner may include in a rental agreement any terms and conditions, including any term relating to rent, the duration of an agreement, and any other provisions governing the rights and obligations of the parties that are not inconsistent with or prohibited by sections 3733.09 to 3733.20 of the Revised Code or any other rule of law.

(M) Notwithstanding any other provision of the Revised Code, the owner of a manufactured or mobile home that was previously titled by a dealer may utilize the services of a manufactured home dealer licensed under Chapter 4517. of the Revised Code or a person properly licensed under Chapter 4735. of the Revised Code to sell or lease the home.

SECTION 2.  That existing sections 1923.01, 1923.02, 1923.04, 1923.06, 1923.081, 1923.12, 1923.13, 1923.14, and 3733.11 of the Revised Code are hereby repealed.