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HOUSING

TAKING CHARGE of
MY RIGHTS to a HOME

  • As a minor, do I have the right to work if I want a job?"
    No, Ohio requires all minors to obtain a work permit, which must be signed by your parent or guardian. Having a strong desire to work is admirable and you are encouraged to explore your social networks for options.
  • Can I start my own business, even if I’m a minor?"
    Yes. There is no minimum age to file an LLC and start a business in Ohio. The Secretary of State welcomes entrepreneurs and you can learn more at http://business.ohio.gov/starting
  • Do I get overtime pay if I worked more hours than I was scheduled to work?
    No. Ohio has specific rules regarding what companies are required to pay overtime to employees. Also, companies and organizations have pay period set ups. There could also be vacation pay policies that impact overtime pay. You will want to see your employee handbook to ensure that you understand your pay and anything that could potentially impact it.
  • As a tipped employee, can my employer make me pay a portion of my tips to “the house”?"
    Unless your employer informed you at your hire that a portion of your tips would be pooled, this is an illegal practice known as tip skimming. If you don't think that a conversation with your employer will be helpful, you may want to contact the Attorney General’s office for further guidance on how to handle this matter.
  • Can I opt out of a criminal background check?
    Yes, but you may not receive a call back for an interview or job offer. Employers who do criminal background checks typically do these for applicants that they are interested in hiring. If you go into interview prepared, you can prepare an interviewer for what they may find on a background check.
  • My criminal past is behind me; do I still have to report it on my application?
    If a job application specifically asks you about criminal history or convictions, then yes still need to report this information.
  • Do I have to pay for the criminal background check and/or employee screening?
    Possibly. Some employers require that you pay for the check while others may cover the expense. There are others who have you pay it upfront and reimburse you the cost upon hire. This is something that you will want to ask during your interview.
  • Is my juvenile justice record included in a consumer or criminal background check?
    No. Information from your involvement with the system as a minor should not be included. If you find that this information is being included in a company’s report, you are encouraged to follow the process for filing a dispute and having the information removed.
  • Can I see what information is in a consumer or criminal background check requested that has been completed on me?
    Yes. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) affords you the right to a copy of any background or consumer check completed on your behalf. It also states that if an employer is going to complete a consumer/background check on you, they must inform you and tell you the scope of the check (i.e., what it’s for, how far back it will go, if it’s criminal or consumer, etc.).
  • Is it okay to write “gift” on the bill of sale for something that I am selling?
    No. It is never to okay for you or someone that you are buying an item from to write “gift” or “$0” on the bill of sale or ownership title. This is often done to avoid payment of taxes that are due. You will want to make sure that all documents are completed correctly so that when you must pay taxes, you have been properly compensated.

TAKING CHARGE OF MY RESPONSIBILITIES at HOME

  • As a minor, do I have the right to work if I want a job?"
    No, Ohio requires all minors to obtain a work permit, which must be signed by your parent or guardian. Having a strong desire to work is admirable and you are encouraged to explore your social networks for options.
  • Can I start my own business, even if I’m a minor?"
    Yes. There is no minimum age to file an LLC and start a business in Ohio. The Secretary of State welcomes entrepreneurs and you can learn more at http://business.ohio.gov/starting
  • Do I get overtime pay if I worked more hours than I was scheduled to work?
    No. Ohio has specific rules regarding what companies are required to pay overtime to employees. Also, companies and organizations have pay period set ups. There could also be vacation pay policies that impact overtime pay. You will want to see your employee handbook to ensure that you understand your pay and anything that could potentially impact it.
  • As a tipped employee, can my employer make me pay a portion of my tips to “the house”?"
    Unless your employer informed you at your hire that a portion of your tips would be pooled, this is an illegal practice known as tip skimming. If you don't think that a conversation with your employer will be helpful, you may want to contact the Attorney General’s office for further guidance on how to handle this matter.
  • Can I opt out of a criminal background check?
    Yes, but you may not receive a call back for an interview or job offer. Employers who do criminal background checks typically do these for applicants that they are interested in hiring. If you go into interview prepared, you can prepare an interviewer for what they may find on a background check.
  • My criminal past is behind me; do I still have to report it on my application?
    If a job application specifically asks you about criminal history or convictions, then yes still need to report this information.
  • Do I have to pay for the criminal background check and/or employee screening?
    Possibly. Some employers require that you pay for the check while others may cover the expense. There are others who have you pay it upfront and reimburse you the cost upon hire. This is something that you will want to ask during your interview.
  • Is my juvenile justice record included in a consumer or criminal background check?
    No. Information from your involvement with the system as a minor should not be included. If you find that this information is being included in a company’s report, you are encouraged to follow the process for filing a dispute and having the information removed.
  • Can I see what information is in a consumer or criminal background check requested that has been completed on me?
    Yes. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) affords you the right to a copy of any background or consumer check completed on your behalf. It also states that if an employer is going to complete a consumer/background check on you, they must inform you and tell you the scope of the check (i.e., what it’s for, how far back it will go, if it’s criminal or consumer, etc.).
  • Is it okay to write “gift” on the bill of sale for something that I am selling?
    No. It is never to okay for you or someone that you are buying an item from to write “gift” or “$0” on the bill of sale or ownership title. This is often done to avoid payment of taxes that are due. You will want to make sure that all documents are completed correctly so that when you must pay taxes, you have been properly compensated.
Housing_Emergency

EMERGENCY HOUSING OPTIONS

  • As a minor, do I have the right to work if I want a job?"
    No, Ohio requires all minors to obtain a work permit, which must be signed by your parent or guardian. Having a strong desire to work is admirable and you are encouraged to explore your social networks for options.
  • Can I start my own business, even if I’m a minor?"
    Yes. There is no minimum age to file an LLC and start a business in Ohio. The Secretary of State welcomes entrepreneurs and you can learn more at http://business.ohio.gov/starting
  • Do I get overtime pay if I worked more hours than I was scheduled to work?
    No. Ohio has specific rules regarding what companies are required to pay overtime to employees. Also, companies and organizations have pay period set ups. There could also be vacation pay policies that impact overtime pay. You will want to see your employee handbook to ensure that you understand your pay and anything that could potentially impact it.
  • As a tipped employee, can my employer make me pay a portion of my tips to “the house”?"
    Unless your employer informed you at your hire that a portion of your tips would be pooled, this is an illegal practice known as tip skimming. If you don't think that a conversation with your employer will be helpful, you may want to contact the Attorney General’s office for further guidance on how to handle this matter.
  • Can I opt out of a criminal background check?
    Yes, but you may not receive a call back for an interview or job offer. Employers who do criminal background checks typically do these for applicants that they are interested in hiring. If you go into interview prepared, you can prepare an interviewer for what they may find on a background check.
  • My criminal past is behind me; do I still have to report it on my application?
    If a job application specifically asks you about criminal history or convictions, then yes still need to report this information.
  • Do I have to pay for the criminal background check and/or employee screening?
    Possibly. Some employers require that you pay for the check while others may cover the expense. There are others who have you pay it upfront and reimburse you the cost upon hire. This is something that you will want to ask during your interview.
  • Is my juvenile justice record included in a consumer or criminal background check?
    No. Information from your involvement with the system as a minor should not be included. If you find that this information is being included in a company’s report, you are encouraged to follow the process for filing a dispute and having the information removed.
  • Can I see what information is in a consumer or criminal background check requested that has been completed on me?
    Yes. The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) affords you the right to a copy of any background or consumer check completed on your behalf. It also states that if an employer is going to complete a consumer/background check on you, they must inform you and tell you the scope of the check (i.e., what it’s for, how far back it will go, if it’s criminal or consumer, etc.).
  • Is it okay to write “gift” on the bill of sale for something that I am selling?
    No. It is never to okay for you or someone that you are buying an item from to write “gift” or “$0” on the bill of sale or ownership title. This is often done to avoid payment of taxes that are due. You will want to make sure that all documents are completed correctly so that when you must pay taxes, you have been properly compensated.

GLOSSARY:

Escrow - when a tenant deposits rent money on time to the Clerk of Courts instead of the landlord until the landlord shows proof of repairs and applies for release of money

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Lease - a contract which gives the right of possession of property from one to another for a length of time and usually for a specific amount of money

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Tenant - the one(s) with possession of the property listed in the lease

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Security deposit - money given to the landlord by the tenant to ensure that the tenant follows the terms of the lease

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Forwarding Address - The address given to the landlord upon vacating the unit. You must provide your landlord with a forwarding address (the next address where you will receive mail) if you want to receive your security deposit. This must be done in writing

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Arrears - past due rent

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Amenities - “extra” features and services offered by an apartment community, such as on-site laundry, pool, fitness center, free bus passes, etc.

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Damages - money paid to someone who has suffered a loss

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Default (rent) - failure to pay; fall behind on payments

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Notice - an oral or written warning of a legal event

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Term - the period of time that the lease is valid

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Retaliation - when a landlord tries to evict a tenant because a complaint is made to the landlord or an agency about a tenancy issue

 

Eviction - A court process for a landlord to remove a tenant from rental property. The eviction process is also called "unlawful detainer" in some states

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Landlord - An owner of real property who, through a lease or rental agreement, promises to rent all or a portion of the property to another person (a "tenant") for -- usually for a set period of time and in exchange for an agreed-upon amount of money

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Lease -  A written agreement between a landlord and tenant, through which the tenant has the right to use and occupy the landlord's residential property for a specified amount of time in exchange for rent. Also called a "rental agreement"

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Quiet Enjoyment -  the right to the enjoyment and use of rental property without obstruction or interruption from other building residents, the landlord, or other persons

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Renewal -  at the end of the rental period, completing another rental agreement to continue residing on the property

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Rent -  the agreed upon amount of money paid to the landlord by the tenant, according to the lease agreement

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Right of entry - A landlord's (very limited) right to enter premises that have been leased to a tenant, usually: in emergency situations, to show the unit to a prospective tenant, or make repairs (in the final two situations proper notice to the tenant is required)

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Security deposit - Refundable money paid by a new tenant to the landlord at or before the move-in date, to guarantee the tenant's performance of lease obligations, i.e. no damage to the property beyond wear and tear, and payment of rent. Most states have set limits on the amount of money a landlord may demand for a security deposit. A lease or rental agreement should state the amount of the security deposit, and should also state what the security deposit will be used for, where it will be held, and whether it will earn interest.

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Tenant - A person who has been given the right to use and occupy rental property owned by another person, usually through a lease or rental agreement.

Glossary_Housing
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