The Landlord's Legal Guide in Illinois Book

Using Self-Help Law Books
Introduction
Chapter 1: Laws That Govern Rental Property

Illinois Landlord/Tenant Law

Illinois State Laws

Illinois Discrimination Laws

Local Laws

Local Laws on Discrimination

Local Discrimination Laws-an Example

Federal Laws

Federal Discrimination Laws

Nursing Homes and Related Facilities

Hotels and Motels
Chapter 2: Assistance for Landlords

Research

Libraries

Internet

Working with Attorneys

When You Need an Attorney

Costs

Free Legal Help

Choosing an Attorney

Keeping Legal Costs Down

What to Bring to Your First Meeting with an Attorney

Problems with Your Attorney
Chapter 3: Creating the Landlord/Tenant Relationship

Screening Prospective Tenants

Avoiding Discrimination Lawsuits

Agreements to Lease

Leases and Rental Agreements

Lease Clauses

Oral Leases

Problem Clauses

Options

Forms

Signatures

Backing Out of a Lease
Chapter 4: Pets

Laws about Companion Animals

Pet Owners as Tenants

Interview for Tenant Pet Owners

Writing Pet Rules

Landlord Liability for Tenant’s Dog

Enforcing “No Pets” Clauses

Recent Problems with Tenant’s Dog
Chapter 5: Residential Security Deposits

Requirements

Amount

Bank Account

Receipt for Security Deposit

Interest

Returning the Security Deposit or Deducting for Damages

Applying the Security Deposit against Rent

Security Deposits and Sale of the RentalProperty

Home Rules
Chapter 6: Responsibility for Maintenance

Tenant Remedies

Warranty of Habitability

Common Areas

Code Violations

Landlord’s Liability for Utility Payments

Liability for Removing Snow

Tenant’s Responsibilities
Chapter 7: Landlord’s Liabilities

Injuries on the Premises

Protection from Liability for Injuries

Exculpatory Clauses

Liability for Crimes on the Premises

Drug Dealing by Tenants

Liability for Lead Paint Poisoning
Chapter 8: Changing the Terms of the Tenancy

Assignment or Sublease by Tenant

Sale of Property by Landlord

Raising the Rent

Modifying the Lease
Chapter 9: Problems During the Tenancy

Landlord’s Access to the Premises

Violations by the Tenant

Violations by the Landlord

Destruction of the Premises
Chapter 10: Problems at the End of the Tenancy

Tenant Holding Over

Damage to the Premises

Personal Property Abandoned by Tenant
Chapter 11: Terminating a Tenancy

Tenancies with No Specific Term

Expiration of Rental Term

Early Termination by Tenant

Early Termination by Landlord

Service of Notice

Mitigation of Damages

Death of a Tenant

Options to Cancel
Chapter 12: Evicting a Tenant

Self-Help by Landlord

Surrender or Abandonment

Settling with the Tenant

Grounds for Eviction

Terminating the Tenancy

Using an Attorney

Who Can Sue

Court Procedures

Tenant’s Possible Defenses

Abandonment after Dismissal

Tenant’s Bankruptcy

Appeals

Satisfaction of Judgment

Ejectment
Chapter 13: Money Damages and Back Rent

Making a Claim

Amount

Defenses

Enforcing a Judgment

Replevin
Chapter 14: Self-Service Storage Space

Illinois Law

Leases

Liens
Chapter 15: Mobile Home Parks

Qualifications

Mobile Home Leases

Department of Public Health Pamphlet

Security Deposits

Tenant’s Duties

Rules

Master Antenna Television Services

Other Restrictions on Mobile Home Park Owners

Tenant’s Remedies

Park Owner’s Remedies

Evictions
Chapter 16: Commercial Rentals

Laws

Before You Sign a Commercial Lease

Tenant Balance

Use Exclusives

Special Licenses

The Commercial Lease

Length

Build Outs

Other Items

Cases
Chapter 17: Section 8 and Low-Cost Housing

Responsibilities and Obligations

Landlords

Tenants

Research

Housing other than Section 8

Cases

Special Rules for Public Housing Terminations

Evictions due to Illegal Activity
Chapter 18: Tenant’s Rights

Being a Prospective Tenant

Pets

Rental Agreement

Repairs

Tenant’s Responsibilities

Injuries

Noise

Disputes

Insurance

Tenant’s Help
Glossary
Appendix A: Judicial Circuit Courts
Appendix B: Eviction Flowcharts
Appendix C: Statutes and Ordinances
Appendix D: Forms
Index