OREIA adopts Statement of Principles
In addition to our mission and vision, the OREIA board has adopted a Statement of Principles. Our positions on proposed legislation will be centered around these principles.
OREIA supports policies that:
- Protect and strengthen private property rights;
- Encourage investment in housing by removing unnecessary barriers;
- Ensure fairness, due process, and predictability for housing providers;
- Treat real estate entrepreneurs with the respect and legal protections they deserve.
Click HERE to see the full statement.
10% Property Tax credit eliminated by misguided legislature.
November 20, 2025- Thank you for your swift response to this week’s Call to Action. More than 750 of you sent over 2,000 messages to legislators opposing the last-minute amendment to HB186 that would phase out the 10 percent non-business tax credit housing providers depend on to keep rents stable.
How this unfolded
On Tuesday afternoon, OREIA received word from a trusted legislator that several new amendments were being discussed behind closed doors and were likely to be added to HB186. Our legislative team, Governmental Policy Group, and executive board immediately mobilized—working into the night to prepare language and launch the MUSTER alert.
You responded, and it made a difference in the conversations that followed. But by Wednesday morning, it was clear the Senate committee intended to adopt the amendment. Committee members voted it out at 9 a.m., and our team spent the rest of the day meeting with Senators who, we learned, had been told this change affected only large corporate owners. That argument was incorrect and convenient for their efforts.
Several legislators expressed concern once the real impact on independent housing providers became clear, but the full Senate advanced the bill, and the House voted to concur later that evening.
What happens now
The amendment phases out the rollback over four years beginning in 2027. Taxes will not rise immediately, but they will rise—and planning ahead is essential.
What OREIA is doing
OREIA's President, Scott Ellsworth, has given several interviews and reached out to a number of media outlets to express our displeasure. And our press release has been sent to dozens of news stations and reporters across the state. See it HERE.
We are asking the Governor to veto this provision and are continuing direct discussions with his office. We are also redoubling efforts to educate legislators about who actually owns and operates Ohio’s rental housing and how policy aimed at “corporate landlords” routinely harms small, local housing providers and the residents who rely on them.
What you can do
Your quick action mattered, and legislators have already approached us asking how they can help mitigate the impact going forward. Right now, the most effective step is to respond—politely and factually—to legislators’ public posts celebrating HB186.
Examples you can use:
“Corporate owners hold less than 3 percent of single-family rentals in Ohio. Eliminating the rollback hurts small, independent housing providers and will reduce affordability for residents.”
“Raising taxes on my rental properties means rents will have to increase. I work hard to keep them reasonable, but HB186 imposes a cost I cannot absorb.”
OREIA Secures Balanced Outcome in Ohio Wholesaling Legislation
Nov 6, 2026
OREIA is looking for real estate investors willing to share their stories with legislators. Our professional lobbyists do a great job, but we've found that personal narratives are much more impactful. You can be an expert in the field, or simply have a compelling story about the topic; be that a positive or negative experience, a reason for entering or leaving an investing strategy, or a barrier you've experienced. It's the personal stories that best sway legislators.