Real estate tax relief available for property damage in Aug. 6 storms

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CLEVELAND (WJW) — Real estate tax relief is available for owners of Ohio properties damaged by widespread storming on Aug. 6, which produced several confirmed tornadoes.

Property owners in Cuyahoga County can file an Application for Valuation of Damaged or Destroyed Property with the county fiscal office, according to a Friday news release. The deadline is Dec. 31.

Applicants will need the parcel numbers for damaged properties, which can be found on the county’s online property records. If the property is insured, they must also show how much the insurer has paid or will pay.

They must give an accounting of the damage on the application, and should try to take photographs. Only inspect a property if it’s safe and watch out for downed power wires.

Any deduction from the property’s value would apply to next year’s taxes, according to the application. The deduction for damage sustained in the Aug. 6 storms can only go up to 50%, since it occurred in the third quarter of the year.

In Cuyahoga County, applications must be printed and mailed to:

Cuyahoga County Fiscal Office Appraisal Department
2079 E. Ninth St., 3rd floor
Cleveland, OH 44115

The Cuyahoga County Office of Emergency Management continues to work with its state counterpart to assess damages from the Aug. 6 storms and offer assistance, according to the release.

The state earlier this month declared an emergency in eight Ohio counties: Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake, Lorain, Portage, Summit and Trumbull.

Cleveland residents are asked to report their storm damage in a survey, which is due on Aug. 23.

In the player below, watch previous FOX 8 News coverage on a state emergency declaration in eight Ohio counties following the Aug. 6 storms:

Beware of home repair scams

The fiscal office also warned of home repair scammers who take advantage of owners of storm-damaged houses.

“Be aware that fly-by-night repair companies often go door-to-door after storms,” reads the release. “Do not sign contracts for repairs until you fully read the contract and take time to check out the company’s reputation.”

The office recommends owners ask their insurer for recommendations when filing a claim and research the company online and through the Better Business Bureau. Run the name of the company through a search engine, alongside the words “scam” or “complaint.”

Contractors who solicit door-to-door must give property owners a written, three-day “right to cancel” with no penalty.

Consumer Affairs can be reached at 216-443-7035.

Get help with cleaning the yard

Cuyahoga County EMA worked with volunteers from Team Rubicon, Southern Baptist Convention Disaster Relief Ohio and Crisis Cleanup to set up a hotline for residents who need help clearing tree and yard debris.

The services are free. Crews can help with cutting up fallen trees and limbs and bundling and stacking debris for city pickup.

The hotline can be reached at 330-208-9761. Requests are prioritized based on residents’ capabilities and needs.

Helpful links

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Justin Dennis

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