When a person lives in a rental property, they may be living on another person’s property, but they do have rights. In order for a landlord to legally evict a tenant, there are certain rules that need to be followed. If a tenant has a bit of knowledge regarding landlord and tenant laws in Chicago, there is a chance that they can remain in their rented home.
Legal Reasons for Eviction
There are reasons why a landlord can legally evict a tenant from their home. These include:
* If the tenant is late paying their rent on several occasions, or if they stop paying their rent altogether.
* If the tenant constantly violates a term of the lease or if they refuse to correct the violation.
* If the tenant conducts illegal activity on the property, such as drug dealing or gang activity.
* If the tenant has purposely damaged the rental property.
Notifying the Tenant
Before the landlord can legally evict the tenant, they would need to have sent the tenant notice regarding the tenant’s violations. If the tenant does not respond to the warning, they can legally be evicted. If the landlord did not send any type of notice first, they would have broken the landlord and tenant laws in Chicago.
Illegal Reasons for Eviction
There are certain reasons why a landlord cannot evict a tenant, even if they want to. These include:
* If the landlord does not want the tenant living in their property due to their gender, race, or sexual orientation, they are breaking the landlord-tenant laws.
* If the landlord wants the tenant to move out immediately, before their lease expires so that a friend or family member can take over the unit, they are breaking the law.
* If the landlord evicts a tenant for reasons that cannot be proven and asks them to move right away, they are breaking the law.
Tenant Eviction Without Cause
If a landlord wants a tenant to move without cause, they must give the tenant 30 to 60 days to vacate. Asking the tenant to leave immediately is against the law.
If a tenant or a landlord feels that their rights have been violated, they should contact Starr Bejgiert Zink & Rowells.
