Thursday, July 31, 2014

Graffiti Removal Program

Did you know that the City of Chicago has a graffiti removal program? Graffiti is vandalism. It scars the community, hurts property values and diminishes our quality of life. Graffiti removal is a free service for private property owners and has become one of the most popular services offered by the City of Chicago.

The Graffiti Removal Program employs "blast" trucks that use baking soda under high water pressure to remove painted graffiti from brick, stone and other mineral surfaces. The program also deploys paint trucks to cover graffiti on surfaces such as metal or wood. The program depends on community groups, block clubs, chambers of commerce and individual residents to report graffiti and request a removal.

The Department of Street and Sanitation also works very closely with the Chicago Police Department who will apprehend graffiti vandals caught defacing property. Further information can be found on the City of Chicago website.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. focuses on real estate law, landlord tenant law, building code violations and estate planning. We are committed to providing you with expert legal support and approach every client with a focus on integrity, advocacy, and understanding. At www.bradfordmillerlaw.com you will find information about our firm. To discuss your pending or potential real estate transaction, your ongoing legal needs as a property owner or landlord, or your estate planning concerns, call us at 312-238-9298 for a free 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago leases, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago real estate closings, Chicago building code violations, short sale attorney Chicago. This is intended to be advertising.  Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Tuesday, July 29, 2014

Did your tenant abandon the property?

Abandon means to intentionally and permanently give up, surrender, leave, desert or relinquish all interest. This is often used in situations to determine whether a tenant has left his/her apartment and the property inside and does not intend to come back. Thus, a landlord can take over an apparently abandoned residence, but must store anything a tenant leaves behind and give notice to the tenant before selling or discarding the possessions which were left.

Has this happened to you? Bradford Miller Law can assist you with any tenant problem or questions you may have. Being a landlord firm, located in downtown Chicago, we have been helping clients handle many situations, including tenant evictions. If you are having a landlord tenant dispute, contact me at 312-238-9298 for a free consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 1040
Chicago, Il 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago residential real estate attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago Landlord Attorney, Chicago eviction attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago real estate attorney fees. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Fire or Casualty Damage

According to the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (commonly known as RLTO) if a fire damages the unit to an extent that it is in noncompliance with the Municipal Code and the tenant, tenant's family or guests are NOT responsible for the fire or accident, the tenant may:
  1. Move out immediately, but if this is done, the tenant must provide written notice to the landlord of the intention to terminate within 14 days after moving out.
  2. The tenant may stay in the unit, if it is legal, but if the tenant stays and cannot use a portion of the unit because of damage, the rent may be reduced to reflect the reduced value of the unit.
  3. If the tenant stays, and the landlord fails to diligently carry out the work, the tenant may notify the landlord, in writing, within 14 days after the tenant becomes aware that the work is not being diligently carried out, of the tenant's intention to terminate the rental agreement and move out. 
Bradford Miller Law can assist you with any tenant problem or questions you may have. Being a landlord firm, located in downtown Chicago, we have been helping clients handle many situations, including tenant evictions. If you are having a landlord tenant dispute, contact me at 312-238-9298 for a free consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 1040
Chicago, Il 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago residential real estate attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago Landlord Attorney, Chicago eviction attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago real estate attorney fees. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Rent to own lease/purchase

Landlords are you thinking about moving toward the sale of your property using a rent to own lease/purchase agreement?

This is a legal contract that obligates the tenant to purchase the property for an agreed-on price at the end of the lease period. A nonrefundable deposit can be applied to the down payment, and a small portion of the rent may be applied to closing costs. Bradford Miller Law can draw up all the legal documents you will need for this transaction which will include both an agreement of sale as well as a lease. These documents must have a clear start and stop date. And, you must keep in mind that until the closing, you are typically responsible for insurance, taxes and maintenance.

Give Brad a call so you can discuss this option.  Bradford Miller Law can help you with all your real estate needs at a very reasonable rate. We can help you make the right decisions to help protect your assets. Our experienced Real Estate Attorneys have been representing real estate clients for several years now and have earned membership in the Better Business Bureau. Our website has information about our firm and information about buying or selling property. To discuss your pending or potential real estate transaction call us at 312-238-9298 for a Free 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago leases, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago real estate closings, Chicago building code violations, Short sale attorney Chicago. This is intended to be advertising.  Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

You must provide a written statement of damages

If you wish to deduct repair costs from a security deposit, the Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance requires that you provide your tenant with a written statement describing the damage to your property that you believe they caused. You must list the actual and estimated costs of repair and provide receipts for the repairs. This must be done within 30 days after the tenant moves out.

If you list estimated costs, you have an additional 30 days to furnish the tenant with paid receipts. If no damages are being deducted, you are required to return the security deposit within 45 days after the tenant moves out. You do not have to send a statement if you are keeping the security deposit because rent is owed.

Bradford Miller Law can assist you with any tenant problem or questions you may have. Being a landlord firm, located in downtown Chicago, we have been helping clients handle many situations, including tenant evictions. If you are having a landlord tenant dispute, contact me at 312-238-9298 for a free consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 1040
Chicago, Il 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago residential real estate attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago Landlord Attorney, Chicago eviction attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago real estate attorney fees. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Thursday, July 10, 2014

What is considered investment property?

A real estate property that has been purchased with the intention of earning a return on the investment through rent or the future resale of the property is considered an investment property. This can be a long term investment or an intended short-term investment often called flipping where a property is bought, remodeled or renovated, and then resold.

Bradford Miller Law can help you with all your real estate needs at a very reasonable rate. We can help you make the right decisions to help protect your assets. Our experienced Real Estate Attorneys have been representing real estate clients for several years now and have earned membership in the Better Business Bureau. Our website has information about our firm and information about buying or selling property. To discuss your pending or potential real estate transaction call us at 312-238-9298 for a Free 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago leases, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago real estate closings, Chicago building code violations, Short sale attorney Chicago. This is intended to be advertising.  Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

Thinking about renting your condo?

On November 15, 2013, Pamela Dittmer McKuen,Community Living reporter for the Chicago Tribune reported in an article titled "Associations seeking ways to accommodate renters" In part, she stated that:

"During the construction boom of the 1990s, developers levied few restrictions so as not to deter prospective buyers. They wrote governing documents that largely permitted leasing of the units.

A decade later, as associations became established, many decided to tighten the reins on non-owner occupants. They went through the detailed process of hiring attorneys to write declaration amendments that restricted or even banned renters.

Next came the real estate market crash of 2008. Owners lost jobs and home equity, and they couldn't pay their assessments or mortgages. Many went into foreclosure. When they petitioned for exceptions to rental restrictions, sympathetic associations amended their declarations again. Others tacitly allowed the rentals despite restrictions.

Today, property values remain depressed in many areas, and investors are scouting for bargains. Concerned about a possible influx of renters, associations once more are rethinking their positions toward them.

"The good news is, people who are renting condos are getting good rents," said real estate agent Connie Abels of Re/Max Edge in Chicago. "Even investors have to pay assessments. It's a much better alternative for the building to stay healthy to allow tenants, and the assessments get paid."

Are you thinking about renting your condo? If so, make sure you go about renting your property in the correct way. Bradford Miller Law can help with all your lease needs. We can draft, review and advise you from a legal standpoint. Bradford Miller Law has been helping landlords protect their assets for several years. Being a Chicago landlord law attorney, we have handled many situations that landlords come across therefore assuring that your lease will provide the protection you need.  For practical counsel at a very reasonable rate in this complex area of law, please call 312-238-9298 for a free 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago leases, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago real estate closings, Chicago building code violations, short sale attorney Chicago. This is intended to be advertising.  Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Accreditation with the Better Business Bureau

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. has been an accredited business member of the Better Business Bureau since June 1, 2013, maintaining an A rating.

What this means is that the BBB determined that Bradford Miller Law, P.C. meets their accreditation standards, which includes a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. We are proud of the fact that to date, we have not received any complaints.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. focuses on real estate law, landlord tenant law, building code violations and estate planning. We are committed to providing you with expert legal support and approach every client with a focus on integrity, advocacy, and understanding. At www.bradfordmillerlaw.com you will find information about our firm and can review the BBB accreditation by simply clicking on the icon in the upper left corner.

Our office is located on LaSalle Street in the heart of downtown Chicago, near many major title companies' offices. We accomplish as much as possible for our clients by telephone and electronic communications to minimize demands on their valuable time. To discuss your pending or potential real estate transaction, your ongoing legal needs as a property owner or landlord, or your estate planning concerns, call us at 312-238-9298 for a free 15-minute consultation.

Our website also has testimonials from our clients and professional peers. I encourage you to read them to learn more about our approach.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago leases, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago real estate closings, Chicago building code violations, short sale attorney Chicago. This is intended to be advertising.  Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Identification of owner and agents.

According to the Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance (also known as the "RLTO") a landlord or any person authorized to enter into an oral or written rental agreement on the landlord's behalf is required to disclose to the tenant in writing at or before the commencement of the tenancy the name, address, and telephone number of:

   (a)   The owner or person authorized to manage the premises; and
   (b)   A person authorized to act for and on behalf of the owner for the purpose of service of process and for the purpose of receiving and receipting for notices and demands.

The information must be kept current and extends to and is enforceable against any successor landlord, owner, or manager.  If the landlord fails to comply with this section, the tenant may terminate the rental agreement and after receipt of written notice, the tenant shall recover one month's rent or actual damages, whichever is greater.

Landlords make sure you go about renting your property in the correct way. At www.bradfordmillerlaw.com you will find information about our firm and valuable information for landlords. Bradford Miller Law, P.C. can help you with any landlord issues you may have. For practical counsel at a very reasonable rate in this complex area of law, please call 312-238-9298 for a free 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago leases, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago real estate closings, Chicago building code violations, short sale attorney Chicago. This is intended to be advertising.  Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.