Cincinnati, Ohio – November 5, 2026 – Owners of empty houses in the City of Cincinnati now have a registration deadline to watch. Under the Vacant Building Registration program, which City Council created by ordinance in February 2025 and which took effect in 2026, a building that has been vacant for 180 days or more must be registered with the Department of Buildings and Inspections within 30 calendar days. As-Is Home Buyer, the cash home buying company that serves the area as As-Is Home Buyer | Sell My House Fast Cincinnati, is walking owners through the requirements as it begins listing a Cincinnati phone number, (513) 951-8385, and a street address at 101 Bacon St, Cincinnati, OH 45215.
According to the city’s program page, the owner of a qualifying building has to secure every door, window and other opening, and cover any that are missing or broken with at least half-inch CDX plywood fastened with screws or bolts. The owner must carry general liability insurance of at least $300,000 for a residential building of up to four units, keep the lot free of weeds, junk cars and litter, and name an authorized agent who lives within 100 miles of the building to handle emergencies and maintenance. Registration is filed through the city’s ezTrak system with a fee, certificates are good for six months, and registered buildings are inspected inside and out each year. The city says failure to register could result in fines.
The city describes the program as one of several tools it uses to watch more than 4,500 vacant buildings and to deal with them before they become blighted. The rules apply inside the City of Cincinnati. Norwood, Forest Park, Sharonville and Blue Ash are separate cities with their own codes, so owners there should check with their own building departments.
The 100-mile rule is the one most likely to catch owners by surprise. A family that inherited a house in Westwood or Price Hill but lives in another state, or an owner who moved for work and never sold, now needs a named person nearby who will answer for the property.
“Nobody plans on a house sitting empty for six months. It happens while people sort out a move or a family estate,” said Nick Hedberg, owner of As-Is Home Buyer. “The city’s page spells out what’s required. Some owners will register the house and keep it up, and some would rather sell it the way it is. Either way, they should know the rules before the clock runs out.”
The company buys houses in Cincinnati, Norwood, Forest Park, Sharonville and Blue Ash in their current condition, including houses with code violations, unfinished interiors, major repairs or problem tenants. Sellers pay no fees or commission. After an owner describes the house, the company makes a no-obligation cash offer within 24 hours, and a closing can happen in as little as 7 to 14 days or on a later date the seller picks.
A cash sale usually brings less than a retail listing of a house in good repair. An owner with the time and money to register, insure and maintain an empty house may do better by fixing it up and listing it with an agent.
Owners can call the company at (513) 951-8385 from 8 AM to midnight, seven days a week, or email hello@as-ishomebuyer.com. Questions about the registration program itself go to the city at CincyVBR@cincinnati-oh.gov. The company’s Cincinnati pages are at https://hamilton.as-ishomebuyer.com/cincinnati.
About As-Is Home Buyer
As-Is Home Buyer, founded in 2016, is a cash home buyer that purchases houses directly from their owners, so sellers can skip repairs, showings and agent commissions. It serves Cincinnati and nearby Hamilton County cities as As-Is Home Buyer | Sell My House Fast Cincinnati and also buys in several other U.S. markets. The company’s aim is a clear cash offer and a closing date built around the seller’s plans.
Media ContactCompany Name: As-Is Home Buyer | Sell My House Fast CincinnatiContact Person: Nick HedbergEmail: Send EmailPhone: (513) 951-8385Address:101 Bacon St City: CincinnatiState: OhioCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://hamilton.as-ishomebuyer.com/cincinnati
