September 2023

ISSUE 23

News Bites

New Development Projects

We are pleased to announce we will be adding new development projects in Franklinton, Hilltop, Linden, and the South Side of Columbus. More information on each development area can be found HERE.

Reminder - Save the Date!

Homeowner Appreciation Event

The COCLT is having its annual Homeowner Appreciation event on October 19, 2023, 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm at the YMCA located at 130 Woodland Ave. We will have great food, community resources, and much more! The October newsletter will have sign up information for you and your family.

Welcome Home

Please join COCLT in welcoming homeowners who have recently closed

on their new homes.

Property Taxes & Your Home Value

New property value information for your home is now available. If needed, a request for a property value review can be done with the Franklin County Auditor's office.

For more information use this LINK.

Land Lease Refresher - Articles 5.1 & 5.4

Land Lease Fee. COCLT Homeowners lease the land that their home is built on and pays the COCLT $25.00 land lease fee. The continued implementation of the land lease fee keeps the home affordable for every homeowner who may opt to purchase through the COCLT. Listed below are the clauses in the land lease regarding the fee and late payment policy:

Article 5.1 Lease Fee. In consideration of the possession, continued use and occupancy of the Leased Land, Homeowner shall pay to the Land Trust a monthly Lease Fee (the “Lease Fee”) of twenty-five dollars ($25.00)

Article 5.4 Late Payment. If the Land Trust has not received any monthly installment of the Lease Fee on or before the date on which such installment first becomes payable under this Lease (the “Due Date”), the Land Trust may require Homeowner to pay a late fee not to exceed $15.00 per month. Such late fee shall be deemed additional Lease Fee and shall be paid by Homeowner to the Land Trust upon demand; provided, however, that the Land Trust shall waive any such late fee that would otherwise be payable to the Land Trust if such payment of the Lease Fee is received by the Land Trust on or before the thirtieth (30th) day after the Due Date.

We know life changes and things happen, and sometimes we are unable to process your monthly land lease fee as a result. In some cases, there may be issues with your bank being able to process the land lease fee because of incorrect bank account information, and/or the availability of funds to your account balance. We are here to support you in making sure we have the correct information to process your monthly land lease payment.

The land lease automatic withdraw occurs on or around the first five business days of each month. The link to change your banking information can be found HERE .

Homeowner Tips

Preparing for Fall

As summer begins to wind down, preparing your home for fall becomes priority. The steps taken to maintain your home during this time will show its benefits during the winter and spring seasons. Here are some great tips to help prepare your home for fall and beyond.

Tidy Up your Kitchen

Clean your exhaust fan using warm, soapy water and scrub brush

Check your exhaust fan to ensure the blades are not damaged or operating incorrectly

Clean under the sink and get rid of any expired cleaning products and wipe down the area

Check for any pipes leaking under the sink

Fix Up Bedrooms and Living Areas

Install or replace outlet covers as needed

· Clean your blinds to remove dust and other debris

Clean ceiling fans, light fixtures and vents

Replace any weather stripping around doors and windows that may be worn out

Outdoor Spaces

Drain and winterize your outside irrigation at the appropriate time in the season typically at the first frost

Refer back to your manufacturer's instructions on how to care for your AC during colder months

Fertilize your lawn once more before the summer ends to keep the grass healthy

Clean the gutters to maintain a clear space and avoid any ice damns that form during the winter and damage your exterior

To learn more check out this LINK.

Benefits of Recycling

Homeownership means more opportunities to help improve the health of a community through recycling. Many cities have created recycling programs that offers bi-weekly and even weekly pick up of properly disposed recycling materials. As a homeowner, participating in recycling not only helps your household, but fosters a cleaner environment for all people.

Conservation of Natural Resources

Recycling plastic means less need for new plastic materials

Recycling glass reduces the need to use new raw materials like sand

Protects ecosystems and wildlife

Recycling reduces the need to grow, harvest or extract new raw materials from the Earth

Because recycling means you need to use less energy on sourcing and processing new raw materials, it produces lower carbon emissions

Economic/Community Impact

Cheaper to dispose of recycled waste than general refuse

Sense of community to recycle items

List of commonly recycled items:

Cardboard
Paper
Food boxes
Mail

List of items that are not to be put in a recycling bin:

Garden hoses
Sewing needles
Bowling balls

To learn more check out this LINK.

How to Prevent Mold in your Home, Part 1

Owning a home means dealing with the impact of maintaining both dry and wet surfaces to keep your family safe and healthy. Here are some tips to prevent mold growth in your home.

Keep humidity levels in your home as low as you can, around 50% or less. An air conditioner or dehumidifier will help you keep the level low. You can buy a meter to check your home’s humidity at a home improvement store.

Be sure the air in your home flows freely and correctly to the outside of your home.

Hire a professional to fix any leaks in your home’s roof, walls, or plumbing so mold does not have moisture to grow.

Don't finish the walls of your basement with insulation and wallboard unless your basement is very dry. Also avoid putting wall-to-wall carpet on your basement floor.

if water enters your home, seek professional help immediately so remediation plan can be done for a quick clean up and drying exercise

Use mold-resistant products to equip your house with less opportunity for mold to form on items and other surfaces

Adding mold inhibitors to paint before painting helps keep mold from forming on walls

To learn more check out this LINK .

Community Resources

Local Resources Designed to help you connect with neighbors and save money!

Urban Farmers

The Urban Farmers Coalition is hosting a Fresh Life Festival that takes place every second Tuesday of the month. The September festival will be on September 12th. Community members will be able to get free, fresh produce, and even get connected to some resources!

More information can be found HERE.

Buy Nothing Project

An online community platform where you can give or find needed household items and much more. People give, receive, and share freely. There is no selling, buying, renting, trading, bartering, marketing, or advertising. Community guidelines can be found HERE.