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Gene R. Abercrombie and Lindsay Rich Steinmetz Article on City of Maumee Real Estate Ordinance Cited in The Blade

7/25/24

The Blade published an article discussing the City of Maumee, Ohio’s June 17, 2024, ordinance regarding sewer line connections, citing the Eastman & Smith article “New Maumee Ordinance Will Have Profound Effects on Real Estate Transactions,” authored by real estate attorneys Gene R. Abercrombie and Lindsay Rich Steinmetz.

Both articles cover the topic of the Real Property Conveyance and Inspection Ordinance, which was enacted to comply with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency’s requirement for the City of Maumee to correct illegal discharges of surplus sewage flowing into the Maumee River by 2051.

The Blade article, “What do Maumee sewer woes mean for real estate market? Depends who you ask” notes that the ordinance “requires Maumee property owners to pass a sewer line inspection before their property can be sold or otherwise conveyed.” Those failing will have 90 days to remediate the problems or face fines and, according to The Blade, “Some Maumee property owners have already received some stunning five-figure remediation estimates from sewer companies.”

On the topic of the impact the Ordinance will have, The Blade cited Mr. Abercrombie and Ms. Rich Steinmetz, stating that it “will have profound effects on real estate transactions,” and further noting “If all violations are not corrected prior to closing, the seller and purchaser are required to establish an escrow account with the title company closing the transaction,” with the account maintaining 110% of the highest of repair estimates from at least two companies.

For questions regarding the requirements of the Ordinance, how to ensure compliance, or any other real estate matters, please contact Mr. Abercrombie or Ms. Rich Steinmetz.