Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Palatine

Find the right Tenant attorney in Palatine, IL

Tenant Law in Illinois

The relationship between a landlord and tenant in Palatine, Illinois can occasionally be a touchy one. Landlords and tenants are not always clear on their respective rights and obligations.

Both parties to a landlord/tenant relationship are controlled by an extensive body of laws and regulations, defining their legal rights and obligations.

Landlord's Rights in Palatine, IL

Most obviously, landlords have a right to collect rent from their tenants. When a tenant agrees to pay a landlord a certain amount of money for the right to occupy the landlord's property, a contract is formed. Tenants have to hold up their end of the deal.

Furthermore, landlords can bill the tenant for any damage they cause to the unit, whether it was intentional or negligent. The costs of repairs for such damage can be deducted from a tenant's security deposit, but it should be noted that tenants aren't liable for ordinary wear and tear, over which they have little control.

Tenant's Rights in Palatine, IL

Much like landlords have a right to get paid for the service they provide, tenants have a right to get what they pay for: a suitable place to reside. In Palatine, Illinois, all residential rental agreements carry an "implied warranty of habitability." This means that a landlord implicitly guarantees that any residence he or she rents will be fit for human habitation. In general, an unit will be automatically deemed uninhabitable if it lacks running water, electricity, heat, and acceptable protection from the elements. There are various more factors that can be considered, as well, but those are some of the basics.

In addition to habitable living spaces, tenants also have a right to reasonably safe common areas. Common areas contain lobbies, hallways, and stairwells - essentially anything that everyone living in an apartment complex has access to. These common areas must fulfill the building standards of Palatine, Illinois, and must not contain any unnecessary safety hazards.

Under federal and Illinois law, tenants are also entitled to protection against discrimination in housing based on race, color, religion, marital status, or gender. Such discrimination can lead to grave civil penalties against the landlord. Landlords also cannot discriminate against tenants based on physical disability, and have to make reasonable accommodations for physically disabled tenants. For instance, they have to allow disabled tenants to make minor physical alterations to the unit (at the tenant's expense) to make it more accessible. Now, they don't need to allow the tenants to have the building remodeled. We're just talking about things like installing handrails in the bathroom, and similar things. The landlord can, however, require tenants to restore the apartment to its original condition, at the tenant's expense, once the tenant leaves.

Lastly, tenants in most states have a right to be free from unfair eviction. Generally, lease agreements last for a set period of time, and both parties are bound by that contract. Landlords cannot arbitrarily evict clients while the lease is still in effect.

Can a Palatine, Illinois Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

Landlords and tenants generally want to avoid conflict with one another. Nonetheless, conflicts are sometimes unavoidable. If you end up in a major dispute with a landlord or a tenant, a reputable Palatine, Illinois landlord/tenant attorney can help.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Palatine

Palatine, Illinois is located in Cook County, and is a mostly-residential suburb of Chicago. Its population is about 68,000 people.

The village of Palatine was founded in 1866, as a station for the new Chicago and North Western Railway. Palatine began to grow as a residential suburb immediately after World War Two.That period of history saw major economic growth, driven by years of pent-up consumer demand caused by war rationing and the Great Depression.

During the economic boom of the late 1990s, Palatine began modernizing and revitalizing its downtown area, building a new train station, parking garage, as well as a good deal of office and condominium space. Several large corporations have a major presence in Palatine. They include JPMorgan Chase, Weber-Stephen Products, and Square D (a large manufacturer of circuit breakers).

Palatine's economy also benefits from its status as a suburb of Chicago. Many residents of Palatine work in Chicago, allowing for a regular exchange of goods and labor.

If you live in Palatine, Illinois, and need a lawyer, it's very likely that a Palatine, Illinois lawyer can help.

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