News Bites

Spring Cleanup - Save the Date

The first COCLT Neighborhood Cleanup has been scheduled for May 14th on Mt. Vernon Avenue. Email Norman Deena with questions or to sign up. More information coming in the May newsletter.

Updated Community Resources

Additional community resources have been added to the Welcome Home Portal. Click HERE to check them out!

Simply Put - COCLT and You

COMMUNITY LAND TRUST REFRESHER

You sat through orientation and land lease classes. You signed the Land Lease at your closing. You have been living in your house for months - maybe years. But if you had to explain your relationship with the COCLT, could you do it? Easily? Without searching for the right words?

Let's see if we can help explain it simply.

You are a homeowner but not a landowner. The Franklin County Auditor lists the COCLT because they track the property owner. Verification of your ownership of the structure can be found on the Franklin County Recorder's Office website where your mortgage and the Memorandum of Lease signed at closing are recorded.

You lease the land your home is built on from the COCLT for 99 years and pay an ongoing monthly lease fee of $25.00 for the use of the land.

You enjoy all the benefits of homeownership - equity building, tax incentives, stable housing costs from year to year, strong credit history, privacy, and you can paint your walls whatever color you want!

As a homeowner, you are responsible for all utility bills, property taxes, maintenance and improvements - the same as any other homeowner would be.

We are glad you decided to participate in COCLT's affordable housing program and hope you have many happy years in your home!

Homeowner Tips

The Necessary Evil ~ Lawn Care Part 1

Be a good neighbor. Try to mow between 9:00 a.m. and 8 p.m. when possible. Grass grows faster in the spring, and it can be difficult to find time to mow between rain events. Keep in mind the city of Columbus considers grass to be a nuisance when it exceeds 12 inches in height. At that point, Code Enforcement will issue a violation notice. You can read through Code Enforcement FAQs for more information.

Resist the Urge

It is so tempting after the first few days of 70° weather to run out to the garden store and buy lots of flower and vegetable plants. But don't forget - we live in Ohio with ever-changing weather. The last frost date for our area is around April 29th. For a planting guide specific to your zip code, check out this 2022 Planting Calendar.

Look for Low Spots

After a spring rain, it is a good idea to check your yard for low spots. Low spots can become a breeding ground for lawn fungus, can kill your grass, and can attract mosquitos. Here are some tips to fix low spots in your yard .