Taking the kicks, protecting your bricks.
Introduction to the Local Agent in Charge Program
Here’s a rewrite that keeps it professional and clear while leaning into a sharp, funny tone at the end:
If you are currently a Cleveland landlord or considering acquiring property in the city, you’ve likely heard of the Cleveland Local Agent in Charge (LAiC) Program. This initiative is designed to ensure local accountability for rental properties within city limits.
The program requires that a real person—not a corporation, LLC, or out-of-town entity—who resides in Cuyahoga County be designated as the LAiC. That individual assumes civil, criminal, and administrative responsibility for the property.
If the city cites the property for an infraction, whether civil, criminal, or administrative, both the titled owner and the LAiC are jointly liable.
The most common violations we see include:
- Missing or expired Lead-Safe Certificate
- Invalid rental registry
- Exterior code issues (high grass, trash, graffiti, abandoned vehicles, etc.)
In short: serving as a Local Agent in Charge is a bit like walking around with a giant “KICK ME” sign taped to your back—only the kicks come in the form of fines, violations, and court summons and city headaches.
Benefits of the Program
For the owner: The benefit is that you have a reliable partner, different than a property manager, who reports to you and the city.
For the City: The city has a local person they can reach out to and potenentially fine and incarcerate should housing code issues not be resolved in a timely manner.
Why Choose CLE Local Agent?
For Owners
Don’t want to wear the “Kick Me” sign yourself? That’s where we come in.
At CLE Local Agent, we serve as your designated Local Agent in Charge (LAiC)—a requirement in Cleveland if you live outside Cuyahoga County or simply don’t want the liability on your shoulders.
Unlike a property manager, we don’t collect rent or handle day-to-day tenant issues. Instead, we provide something more valuable: local accountability and compliance oversight. We report directly to you and to the City, making sure your property avoids costly fines and keeps its paperwork in order.
For the City
The City of Cleveland gets what it wants: a real person on the ground—not a corporation, not a P.O. Box—someone they can contact immediately if code issues pop up. And if violations aren’t resolved quickly? The City has someone local they can fine or prosecute.
For You
That “someone” doesn’t have to be you.
With CLE Local Agent in your corner, you gain peace of mind, protect your investment, and keep the City satisfied—all without stepping into the crosshairs yourself.
CLE Local Agent: We wear the sign, so you don’t have to.
