Ohio Code 1312.04 – Notice to contractor of alleged defects prior to action
(A) No owner shall commence arbitration proceedings or file a dwelling action against a residential contractor unless, at least sixty days before commencing the proceedings or filing the action, the owner provides the contractor with written notice of the construction defect that would be the basis of the arbitration proceedings or the dwelling action. The notice shall be in writing and mailed, sent by telegram, delivered in person, or sent by any means the contractor has indicated communications may be sent, including facsimile transmission and electronic mail. The notice shall substantially comply with the requirements set forth in division (B) of this section.
Terms Used In Ohio Code 1312.04
- Construction defect: means a deficiency that arises directly or indirectly out of the construction or the substantial rehabilitation of a residential building. See Ohio Code 1312.01
- Counterclaim: A claim that a defendant makes against a plaintiff.
- Dwelling action: means any civil action in contract or tort for damages or indemnity brought against a residential contractor for damages or the loss of use of real property caused by a construction defect. See Ohio Code 1312.01
- in writing: includes any representation of words, letters, symbols, or figures; this provision does not affect any law relating to signatures. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Lien: A claim against real or personal property in satisfaction of a debt.
- Owner: means an owner or a prospective owner of a residential building or a dwelling unit in a residential building who enters into a contract with a residential contractor for the construction or substantial rehabilitation of that residential building or unit. See Ohio Code 1312.01
- Person: includes an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, and association. See Ohio Code 1.59
- Residential building: includes any structure that is used as a model to promote the sale of a similar dwelling house. See Ohio Code 1312.01
- Residential contractor: means a person or entity who, for pay, enters into a contract with an owner for the construction or the substantial rehabilitation of a residential building and who has primary responsibility for the construction or substantial rehabilitation of a residential building. See Ohio Code 1312.01
(B) Any notice that an owner provides to a contractor pursuant to this section shall substantially do all of the following:
(1) Assert a claim involving a construction defect by itemizing and describing those construction defects;
(2) Include or attach a copy of any documentation concerning the construction defects prepared by a person who inspected the residential building for the owner;
(3) Include the name, address, and telephone number of the owner and the contractor and the address of the building that is the subject of the claim.
(C) After receiving a notice of defects, a contractor may request an owner to provide a description of the cause of the defects and the nature and extent of repairs necessary to remedy the defects. An owner may provide this information if the owner has knowledge of the cause of the defects and the repairs necessary to remedy those defects.
(D) If a contractor files a mechanics lien or commences any type of arbitration proceedings or legal action against an owner, this chapter does not apply, and the owner immediately may counterclaim, commence arbitration proceedings, or file a dwelling action against the contractor.