Owning rental property can be very rewarding. Property owners can create generational wealth by strategically purchasing property and renting it to the right tenants. However, some tenants, regardless of how well they’ve been screened, can cause problems for a landlord. Some tenants simply refuse to pay their rent on time and others cause property damage the landlord has to pay to repair. When this happens, landlords have rights. However, it’s essential that they follow the landlord and tenant laws in Chicago to ensure they are in compliance with the current regulations. Failure to follow the law could result in adverse actions for the landlord.
Tenants have rights as well. Even those that are behind on their rent or who don’t follow the rules of the lease have the right to due process. A landlord cannot simply change the locks on their property when they are unhappy with their tenant, regardless of what they did. An experienced attorney who focuses on landlord and tenant laws in Chicago could advise a property owner about the best course of action when their tenants violate the terms of their lease. Ideally, a landlord will consult an attorney before they have a problem so they will know what to do if they need to evict a tenant.
Every eviction doesn’t require a landlord to incur the expense of going to court. In fact, many tenants will move out after receiving an unofficial eviction notice from their landlord. Others will stay until the court orders them to leave. Following the process will ensure landlords are able to recover their property as well as compensation for any damage the tenant caused to the property. When a landlord has to go to court to enforce their right to recover their property, it could be helpful to have an attorney by their side. A law firm like Starr Bejgiert Zink & Rowells, that focuses on landlord and tenant law, could represent a landlord in an eviction action against their tenant, assisting them with presenting their case to the court and arguing against any defense presented by the tenant.