The Delaware County Recorder, Melissa Jordan is notifying residents of a limited-time opportunity announced by the Ohio Attorney General that allows certain Ohio homeowners to cancel long-term real estate contracts with MV Realty of Ohio, LLC. The opportunity applies to homeowners who signed Homeowner Benefit Agreements (HBAs) with MV Realty and whose properties may have a related agreement recorded in the Recorder’s office. Eligible homeowners have until April 29, 2026, to exercise the cancellation option announced by the Ohio Attorney General without repaying the upfront funds they received when the contract was signed.

The cancellation process stems from an investigation and resolution between MV Realty and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. After the Ohio Recorders’ Association observed similar practices affecting land records in other states, it identified the same trend emerging in Ohio and raised concerns with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office. Specifically, concerns were raised that these agreements may impose long-term financial obligations that many homeowners may not have fully understood. Between approximately 2019 and 2023, MV Realty entered into agreements granting the company an exclusive right to list a home for up to 40 years and recorded memoranda of those agreements with county recorder offices.

In October 2023, Ohio enacted R.C. 5301.94, which identifies certain exclusive residential listing practices as unfair or deceptive and in violation of the Ohio Consumer Sales Practices Act, R.C. 1345.01. Although agreements signed prior to the law’s effective date were not automatically voided, the Attorney General’s resolution with MV Realty created a one-time cancellation window for affected homeowners statewide.

Under the cancellation offer, homeowners must notify MV Realty of their intent to cancel by April 29, 2026, and pay a one-time $75 fee. MV Realty is then required to record a termination document with the county recorder, releasing the previously recorded memorandum from the public record.

“The Recorder’s Office does not evaluate or enforce private contracts. However, considering the Ohio Attorney General’s cancellation offer, we want residents to be aware of the deadline and to watch for correspondence from the Attorney General if they believe they may have an agreement with MV Realty,” said Recorder Melissa Jordan. “Where applicable, our office is providing informational notice to property owners whose recorded documents may be affected, and residents may use our online document search to review records on file with the Recorder’s Office at the link below.”

Ohio Attorney General:  https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov/

Consumer inquiries: MVRInquiries@OhioAGO.gov

Delaware County Recorder document search: https://delaware.dts-central-oh.com/PaxWorld/