METH HOUSE DISCLOSURE LAW OK'd

Stow -- Stow property owners now must disclose whether their homes
were former methamphetamine labs during property transactions or face
jail time.

Property owners have to disclose such information to potential
homebuyers and renters and anyone receiving property as a gift, per
legislation Council passed April 24.

Deputy Law Director Joe Haefner said property sellers are required to
specify in writing whether their properties were former meth houses.
Those who violate the ordinance would be charged with a first-degree
misdemeanor and could face a maximum sentence of 180 days in jail and
a maximum fine of $1,000.

Haefner said a listing of former meth houses would be available
through the Summit County Health District.

The city originally considered creating its own database of former
meth houses in Stow, but Haefner said the city does not want to
duplicate the county's efforts.

He said the city's legislation will take the county's effort a step
further by requiring property sellers to submit information about
their residences to homebuyers and renters, instead of putting the
burden of investigation entirely on buyers and renters.

Council President Janet D'Antonio said she believes the city's
ordinance will be effective in conjunction with the Health District's
registry.

"I think it needs to be done," she said.

Council initially proposed charging violators of the ordinance with a
minor misdemeanor and requiring them to pay a $150 fine.

But D'Antonio asked Council to consider a more severe penalty, because
she believed the original fine would not have been enough impetus to
prompt property owners to follow the ordinance. "If I wanted to sell a
house, what's a $150 fine?" she asked.

Methamphethamines are drugs manufactured through cooking ingredients.
The process creates chemical residue that can seep into walls and
carpeting where the drug is being manufactured. According to health
experts, exposure to such chemicals can cause headaches, chest pains,
nausea and dizziness.

Councilmember Ron Alexander said he proposed the legislation after
learning about a woman who took legal action against a man from whom
she claimed to have unknowingly purchased a former meth house in Stow.

According to Stow Police Chief Louis Dirker, there are six former meth
houses in Stow.

Alexander said all subsequent owners of former meth houses must
disclose the information during property transactions as part of the
city's ordinance.

Haefner said the city plans to provide information about the
ordinance's requirements to local real estate agents so property
sellers and home buyers and renters are aware of the information.