Renting is often a minefield. A person can never truly know how their landlord will act once a lease has been signed. Property owners don’t rent a residence to be generous. They do so to make a profit, and tenants may end up being shortchanged in the process. There are some laws in place that protect tenants many are unaware of. Following are a few of these landlord tenant laws in Chicago that every tenant should know.
Unlawful Entry
Imagine a knock on the door and it’s the landlord. Individuals often don’t realize a landlord is required to provide 48 hours notice before entering a rental. This must be done in writing or by phone. The only exception to this is when an emergency arises and repairs need to be made promptly. The landlord may then enter the residence without permission. However, the tenant must be notified within two days that this action was taken.
Security Deposit Receipts
Landlords require a security deposit from tenants. It is rare to find a landlord that doesn’t make these funds mandatory before a person can occupy a property. The landlord is required by law, however, to provide the tenant with a receipt for this deposit, and this receipt must be signed, show the owner’s name, the date the funds were received, and a description of the rental property. Furthermore, they must put the funds into an account that bears interest and provide information about the institution where the money is placed within 14 days.
The Withholding of Rent
Tenants may take action in the event a landlord fails to complete necessary repairs. Under current landlord tenant laws in Chicago, the renter is allowed to withhold $500 or half of the rent for one month (whichever is greater) to make the necessary repairs. In order to withhold the rent, the tenant must ensure the problem violates the City of Chicago code and they are not responsible for creating the issue. In the event the repairs aren’t made and the residence becomes uninhabitable, the tenant may break the lease after a 14-day period without being penalized for doing so.
Contact Starr, Bejgiert, Zink & Rowells to learn more about the rights of tenants in Chicago. No individual should have to live in an unsafe place. Laws have been put in place to protect tenants and all should be aware of these laws. Like us on Facebook.
