In the wake of the unexpected job losses and furloughs caused by COVID-19, Chicago renters are turning to landlords for rent reprieves. Their pleas are echoed by Mayor Lightfoot, who asked property owners on March 19, 2020 to “give tenants some grace, whenever possible during...
Social distancing is a term that all renters and landlords are getting familiar with in order to contain the spread of COVID-19. This novel approach to life has landlords and leasing agents reconsidering how to host apartment tours in the days ahead.
Many landlords and agents are asking...
Beware, Chicago Airbnb, HomeAway and VRBO tycoons, because the carefree days of operating an illegal Chicago vacation rental are over. In 2016 and 2017, Mayor Emanuel and the City Council amended the Municipal Code to better regulate and tax vacation rentals and shared housing units. Not only do...
Landlords are among the first parties to receive that angsty phone call from tenants who experience an accidental lock-out. The causes for unintentional lock-outs are multitudinous: a key has gone missing; the key has broken off in the lock; tenants went out to walk the dog and left the key...
All Cook County landlords should be aware of the Just Housing Amendment to the Human Rights Ordinance, which went into effect on January 1, 2020 and which seeks to remedy unfair housing discrimination against individuals with criminal records. We’ve written about the...
Becoming a landlord in Chicago is serious business. The question that weighs heavily on a landlord or prospective landlord’s mind is, “How much rent should I charge for my apartment?”
Let’s say that you’re ready to rent out your home or another property you own. You’ll need to consider...
Apartment landlords and property managers constantly find themselves asking, “How quickly should I follow up with renters who express interest in my listing?” Well, the short answer is immediately. According to an ROI study by Boston-based property management software company Buildium, the ideal...
Winter brings its share of challenges for Chicago landlords and property managers. Ensuring safety and comfort for tenants in your apartment buildings should be at the top of a landlord’s checklist in winter. It’s not always the easiest work for apartment managers, but it makes you appreciate...
No tenant wants to open their mail to find a rent increase letter telling them that the landlord intends to raise the rent at renewal, but landlords shouldn't procrastinate if they intend to do so. For legal and practical reasons, you should let your tenants know as soon as you have decided to...
