Landlords have a duty to maintain rental properties in habitable condition. In most cases, landlords are diligent about maintaining the properties they manage. They understand that finding new tenants is more time-consuming than keeping the ones they have. The cost of marketing and renovating the unit for a new tenant is much more than providing routine maintenance for the people who currently live in the home. Unfortunately, some landlords do not invest the time or money it takes to keep their properties in good condition.
Tenant Rights
Tenant law in Chicago ensures tenants don’t have to continue to pay to live in a home that isn’t safe. Landlords are required to provide basic services to their tenants. They must maintain a safe unit, so if the heat isn’t working, the landlord is required to fix it. If the roof is leaking, the landlord has to make the repairs. If the property owner or manager doesn’t make repairs in a timely manner, tenants should consult with a lawyer who focuses on tenant law in Chicago before making another rent payment.
Tenants may be able to force the landlord to make repairs by depositing their rent into an escrow account. When they successfully set up escrow, landlords do not get the rent money until they prove to the court that they’ve made the home habitable. If they don’t repair the unit in a reasonable amount of time, the tenant may be able to break the lease and use the money to move to another home.
Landlord Rights
Landlords have rights as well. Tenants are not allowed to destroy property and then expect the landlord to pay for the repairs. When a landlord suspects the tenant might be responsible for damage, they may seek to have them evicted. Any tenant who is the subject of an eviction action could be represented by a law firm like Starr, Bejgiert, Zink & Rowells.
It’s important for every tenant to carefully read the lease agreement prior to signing. This ensures they know what is expected of them and allows them to ask questions to clarify anything that isn’t clearly stated in the lease. Follow us on Twitter.
