If you are a landlord trying to find a good tenant for your property, or if you are a tenant trying to find a property for yourself, there are many things to check. Chicago landlord-tenant law will help both parties before they start a legal agreement.
What is Chicago Landlord-Tenant Law?
Chicago landlord–tenant laws are the laws that deal with the rights and duties of landlords and tenants. Landlord–tenant law contains elements from both contract law and property law. As per the law, both the landlord and tenant have to follow certain rules and regulations. Landlord–tenant law covers the following points:
Lease Agreement
The lease or rental agreement is a legal document that is created between the landlord and tenant. It contains the legal parameters for both parties. A lease agreement should contain information such as the names of both the parties, address and correct description of the property, details about rent and the date on which it should be paid every month, details about the security deposit, and information about whether you are allowed to have a pet or not. A lease agreement is made, usually, for a period of one year.
Security Deposit
Before signing the legal contract, the landlord often demands a security deposit from the tenant. In some areas the deposit amount is a month’s rent, while in other areas landlords ask for two month’s rent. The security deposit has to be refunded to the tenant after deducting any amount for repairs to the property once the tenant moves out. It is always recommended to sign the legal agreement with the landlord before paying the security deposit. The landlord has to repay the security deposit to tenant within 30 days of vacating the property.
Rights of Tenants as Per Chicago Landlord-Tenant Law
The rights of tenants include the right to be free from any discrimination on the basis of sex, color, religion, origin, disability, age, etc. Landlord also cannot refuse a service animal. Other common rights of tenants include the right to privacy, the right to habitable homes, and the right to have a home free of lead poisoning.
Rights of Landlords as per Chicago Landlord-Tenant Law
Landlord rights include protection of property. The landlord has the right to receive rent and other payments that are mentioned in the lease agreement. The main right that landlords have is the ability to vacate a tenant, but it must be based on a valid reason.
Whether you are a landlord looking to rent your property or a tenant looking for a property that suits your budget, you need to follow certain rules and regulations specified in Chicago landlord-tenant law.
At the law office of Starr, Bejgiert, Zink & Rowells, we provide expert landlord-tenant services for clients throughout the Chicago area.
