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1. Is the City resuming in-person point of sale inspections?

Yes. New POS applications will be subject to the same point of sale procedures in place before the COVID-19 crisis, including an in-person interior inspection by a certified Shaker Heights Housing Inspector. In-person inspections will be subject to rigid social distancing protocols.

2. Will you still issue the Emergency and Limited Certificate of Compliance?

No, effective June 5, the City will no longer issue the Emergency and Limited Certificate of Compliance. Prior to June 5, this was issued on a temporary basis for the sole purpose of allowing properties to transfer during the COVID-19 crisis. Effective June 5, the City will resume its normal point of sale process in place before the COVID-19 crisis with rigid social distancing protocols in place for the inspections process.

3. What about properties that are currently on the market with an Emergency and Limited Certificate of Compliance?

Please note that properties that were issued an Emergency and Limited Certificate of Compliance on or before June 5 that have not yet transferred will be subject to the following:

• Properties that have a signed purchase agreement executed on or before June 15, 2020 with a closing date no later than September 13, 2020 will be allowed to transfer with the Emergency and Limited Certificate of Compliance. No inspection will be required, unless the seller specifically requests it.
• For properties that DO NOT have a signed purchase agreement executed on or before June 15, 2020 the Emergency and Limited Certificate of Compliance will no longer be valid.  A POS inspection will need to be scheduled and the application fee submitted to the city.  You do NOT need to submit a new POS application.  

4. I have a signed purchase agreement dated after June 15. Is my Emergency and Limited Certificate of Compliance still valid for the purpose of that transfer?

No.  You will need to schedule an inspection and either correct any outstanding violations prior to transfer or establish an escrow account to cover the cost of the repairs.

5. I have a signed purchase agreement dated prior to June 15, but neglected to apply for POS until after June 4. What are my options?

Shaker Heights Codified Ordinance 1415.01 requires that an application be submitted and an inspection performed PRIOR to entering into a purchase agreement.  Effective June 5, Emergency and Limited Certificates of Compliance are no longer being issued.  Therefore, an inspection will need to be scheduled.  This is the same policy and practice that existed prior to the temporary suspension of new POS inspections.

6. What are the social distancing protocols for in-person inspections?

Before entering a property, the City will ask several screening questions designed to determine whether anyone in the household has been or is currently ill; or if they have been recently exposed to someone who has tested positive to COVID-19.  Inspections will be rescheduled if necessary.

Housing Inspectors will wear masks at all times when outside their vehicles. In addition, when entering a property, inspectors will wear protective shoe coverings and gloves. Upon returning to their vehicles, inspectors will dispose of their gloves and use hand sanitizer.

During the inspection process, the City will only allow one individual to accompany the inspector. A minimum distance of six feet must be maintained between this individual and the inspector at all times.  We request that the individual wear a mask as well.

If you have specific concerns, please call us (216-491-1471) to discuss how the inspection can be further safely conducted.

7. What about reinspections of outstanding interior violations?

Resinpections of interior violations will also resume in-person on June 15. However, where there are no more than 15 total remaining violations, with at least one interior violation, the reinspection is required to be performed by Remote Video Inspection.

8. I obtained an Emergency and Limited Certificate of Compliance but no longer wish to sell my house. Do I still need to schedule an inspection now that inspections have resumed?

As has been our standard practice, you can withdraw a POS application at any point prior to an inspection occurring without consequence. Simply submit a request to the Building and Housing Department in writing or by email to Laura Lanovara. to withdraw your POS application. All application fees paid, if any, will be refunded within 30 days of a valid request.

9. I purchased a home where an Emergency and Limited Certificate of Compliance was issued during the COVID-19 crisis. Will I be subject to a City inspection now that restrictions are lifted?

If title transfers with a valid Emergency and Limited Certificate of Compliance (Purchase agreement signed prior to June 15, 2020, and the property transfers before September 13, 2020), no further inspections will be performed in connection with this POS. Therefore, buyers are encouraged to seek the services of a private home inspector to the extent such services are available during the COVID-19 crisis. Keep in mind, rental properties are subject to interior/exterior inspections every three years, and all owner occupied homes are subject to exterior inspections every 5 years by neighborhood.

10. What is the status of permitting during the coronavirus crisis?

The permitting process is proceeding with some modifications. Specifically, permits for minor corrections, smaller projects and/or housing reinspections will be done via the City’s new Remote Video Inspection (RVI) process.

Permits for additions and major renovations will proceed in person with adequate social distancing measures.

11. What’s the status of the City’s systematic exterior inspection program?

The program is temporarily suspended. Instead of receiving the systematic exterior inspection in 2020, residents of the Moreland and Boulevard neighborhoods will receive the inspection in 2021.