Landlord and Tenant Lawyers in Elgin

Find the right Tenant attorney in Elgin, IL

Tenant Law in Illinois

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

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

Landlord's Rights in Elgin, IL

The most basic right that landlords have is the right to be paid the agreed-upon rent by their tenant. Obviously, renting apartments is how landlords make a living, so they are entitled to collect the rent that the tenant agreed to pay.

Landlords also have a right to be compensated for damage to the building that a tenant causes, either intentionally or negligently. Any damage caused by a tenant, besides reasonable wear and tear, can be billed, and the landlord can deduct from the tenant's security deposit to pay for repairs.

Tenant's Rights in Elgin, 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 live. In Elgin, 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 adequate protection from the elements. There are many more factors that can be considered, as well, but those are some of the basics.

Moreover, tenants are entitled to common areas that are reasonable safe and sanitary. The common areas of an apartment building would include lobbies, laundry rooms, stairwells, hallways, and fire escapes (basically, any part of the building which all of the tenants can access). In Elgin, Illinois, these areas must be kept reasonably clean and safe.

Tenants also have rights, under federal and Illinois law, to not be victims of racial, ethnic, or gender discrimination in housing, whether they are renting or buying. Moreover, landlords are not allowed to discriminate against tenants based on physical disabilities. They must also allow physically-disabled tenants to make reasonable modifications to the apartment to make it more accessible. However, the landlord can require tenants to remove those modifications and restore the property to its original condition once the tenant moves out.

Finally, tenants are legally protected from arbitrary eviction. Landlords usually must have a very good reason to evict a tenant before the lease agreement reaches the end of its term (at this point, they are of course allowed to decline to renew the lease). Of course, if the tenant breaches the lease agreement (such as by failing to pay rent, damaging the property, or violating other reasonable rules the landlord has put in the lease), the landlord, like a party to any other contract, is free to terminate the agreement and evict the breaching tenant.

Can a Elgin, Illinois Landlord/Tenant Lawyer Help?

Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, chances are that you want to avoid conflict. But if you do end up in a seemingly irresolvable conflict with the other party, an Elgin, Illinois attorney can help you protect your rights.

Talk to a Real Estate Law Attorney now!

Life in Elgin

Elgin is located in the northern part of Illinois, northwest of Chicago and along the Fox River. The city is home to about a little over 108.000 people.

Elgin is known for its architecture. It has many landmarks inspired by the Victorian era. These landmarks include the Elgin Public Museum, which is the oldest building in Illinois.

Other popular attractions include the Elgin Symphony Orchestra, the Elgin Choral Union, the Cook County Forest Preserves, the Bluff Spring Fen, Northwest Tollway, and Trout Park.

Elgin also is home to many attorneys who practice law with enthusiasm and devotion to excellence. Therefore, Elgin residents have no reason to worry because their legal needs can be easily taken care of.

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