Wednesday, October 29, 2014

Important public safety ordinance

On October 8, 2014, Mayor Emanuel and Aldermen Burke, Balcer and Solis introduced an important public safety ordinance that repeals a dangerous post-citation compliance defense for residential landlords who forego the installation of smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors.

Earlier this month, four children tragically lost their lives in a residential fire in which there were no working smoke detectors,” said Mayor Emanuel. “The law as written provides no incentive for landlords to install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in their units, as they can comply after they are ticketed to avoid a fine. There is no excuse for landlords who seek to avoid the minimal cost and labor to install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and this proposed ordinance will strengthen the laws we have to enforce these important public safety provisions.”

The proposed ordinance amends the building code for smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to hold residential landlords accountable by eliminating the defense and creating a daily fine range for these specific life threatening violations. The ordinance would specifically repeal post-citation compliance as an affirmative defense to violations relating to smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors and increased the daily minimum fine from $300 per day to $500 per day and sets the maximum fine at $1,000 per day.

Landlords, however well you maintain your rental properties, problems can arise. Owners are required by law to make necessary repairs and maintain their property in a safe condition. 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 helpful landlord information along with 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

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago Building Code violations, Chicago Building Code Violation lawyer, Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant attorney, Chicago Real Estate attorney, Chicago Eviction attorney, Chicago Leases, Chicago real estate attorney fees, Estate Planning Lawyer. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Tuesday, October 28, 2014

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and highly toxic gas that is produced through the incomplete combustion of fuels from things like kerosene space heaters, furnaces, gas  and wood stoves, fireplaces, water heaters, gas dryers and auto exhaust fumes.

The end of Daylight Savings Time on November 2nd is an ideal time to replace smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries. The owner of the building must install detectors where required and provide tenants with written information regarding testing and maintenance. The tenant is responsible for maintaining and testing the detector. If the detector is battery operated, the tenant is responsible for changing batteries.

Landlords, however well you maintain your rental properties, problems can arise. 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 helpful landlord information along with 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

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago Building Code violations, Chicago Building Code Violation lawyer, Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant attorney, Chicago Real Estate attorney, Chicago Eviction attorney, Chicago Leases, Chicago real estate attorney fees, Estate Planning Lawyer. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Landlords does your property comply with habitable standards?

Habitable: A rental unit that is fit for human beings to live in.

Implied warranty of habitability: Requires landlords to maintain their rental units in a condition fit for human beings to live in. A rental unit must substantially comply with building and housing code standards that materially affect tenants' health and safety.

Landlords, however well you maintain your rental properties, problems can arise. At bradfordmillerlaw.com you can review the City of Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance Summary along with other helpful landlord information including information about our firm.

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.

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

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago Building Code violations, Chicago Building Code Violation lawyer, Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant attorney, Chicago Real Estate attorney, Chicago Eviction attorney, Chicago Leases, Chicago real estate attorney fees, Estate Planning Lawyer. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.



Tuesday, October 21, 2014

What is a Five-Day Notice?

This is a notice that is used when a tenant is behind on their rent. It is the first step in the eviction process which is the legal act of removing someone from real property.

Landlords, if your tenant is behind on their rent you must follow certain legal guidelines in order to start the eviction process. Bradford Miller Law, P.C. has been representing Landlords for several years. We can advise and help you resolve any tenant issues that you may encounter. If you are having a problem and need legal representation contact us at 312-238-9298  for a free 15-minute consultation.

At www.bradfordmillerlaw.com you can review the City of Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance Summary along with other helpful landlord information.

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

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

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

Thursday, October 16, 2014

City of Chicago's 11th Annual Rents Right Expo

The 11th Annual Rents Right Expo will provide a convenient, one-stop opportunity to get important information on the various aspects of rental housing from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday Oct. 18 at McFetridge Sports Center, 3843 N. California Avenue. The Rental Expo offers information on Residential Landlord-Tenant Issues.

Co-sponsored by the Department of Planning and Development (DPD) and the Chicago Rents Right committee, the free event will feature over 50 exhibitors who will assist landlords and tenants with information about conflict resolution, building code violations, laws pertaining to evictions, maintenance issues and other aspects of rental housing.

"Rents Right Expo provides an excellent opportunity to share information on the many programs and services that help encourage good landlord-tenant relationships across the City," said DPD Commissioner Andrew Mooney.

For more information on the Rents Right Expo, call 312.744.3653 or visit the City of Chicago's website.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. has been representing Landlords for several years and, we can assist you with any lease information you require or can help you resolve any tenant issues that you may encounter. If you are having a problem and need legal representation contact us at 312-238-9298  for a free 15-minute consultation.

At www.bradfordmillerlaw.com you can review the City of Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance Summary along with other helpful landlord information.

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

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

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

Tuesday, October 14, 2014

Are your smoke alarms in working condition?

The City of Chicago, Department of Buildings along with the Fire Department are reminding residents that working smoke alarms save lives. It is important that all smoke alarms be tested on a monthly basis. The end of Daylight Savings Time on November 2nd is an ideal time to replace smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector batteries.

According to the latest National Fire Protection Association research, working smoke alarms cut the chance of dying in a fire in half. Meanwhile, almost two-thirds of home fire deaths nationwide resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms.

This year’s Fire Prevention campaign includes the following smoke alarm messages:
  • Install smoke alarms in every bedroom, outside each separate sleeping area and on every level of the home, including the basement.
  • Interconnect all smoke alarms throughout the home. This way, when one sounds, they all do.
  • Test alarms at least monthly by pushing the test button.
  • Replace all smoke alarms when they are 10 years old or sooner if they don’t respond properly.
  • Make sure everyone in the home knows the sound of the smoke alarm and understands what to do when they hear it.
  • A smoke alarm should be on the ceiling or high on a wall.  Keep alarms away from the kitchen to reduce false alarms.  They should be at least 10 feet away from the stove. But no more than 15 feet away from bedroom doors
Landlords, it is the responsibility of the tenant to provide and maintain functional batteries for each detector, to regularly test and maintain the detector in the dwelling units, and to notify the owner in writing of any deficiencies. However, it is the Landlord's responsibility to make necessary repairs and maintain their property in a safe condition.

Landlords, however well you maintain your rental properties, problems can arise. 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 helpful landlord information along with 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

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago Building Code violations, Chicago Building Code Violation lawyer, Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant attorney, Chicago Real Estate attorney, Chicago Eviction attorney, Chicago Leases, Chicago real estate attorney fees, Estate Planning Lawyer. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.



Thursday, October 9, 2014

What is a retaliatory eviction or action?

This is the act by a landlord, such as raising a tenant's rent, seeking to evict a tenant, or otherwise punishing a tenant because the tenant has exercised their legal rights in some way.

Landlords, it is advisable for you to seek legal counsel before you react to a situation. Bradford Miller Law, P.C. has been representing Landlords for several years and, we can assist you with any lease information you require or can help you resolve any tenant issues that you may encounter. If you are having a problem and need legal representation contact us at 312-238-9298  for a free 15-minute consultation.

At www.bradfordmillerlaw.com you can review the City of Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance Summary along with other helpful landlord information.

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

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

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

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

What is default?

It is the failure to fulfill a legal obligation. A default includes failure to pay on a financial obligation, but may also be a failure to perform some action or service that is non-monetary. For example, a tenant not properly maintaining the property may be in default of the lease.

Landlords, do you need help with a tenant that is in default? Bradford Miller Law, P.C. has been representing Landlords for several years and, we can assist you with any lease information you may need or we can help you resolve any tenant issues that you may encounter. If you are having a problem and need legal representation contact us at 312-238-9298  for a free 15-minute consultation.

At www.bradfordmillerlaw.com you can review the City of Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance Summary along with other helpful landlord information.

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

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

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

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Landlords, did your tenant ask about the Small Accessible Repairs for Seniors program?

The City of Chicago offers a Small Accessible Repairs for Seniors (SARFS) program. This program provides safety, security and accessibility improvements that help senior citizens to remain in their homes. Repair types are limited to minor repairs that may include, but are not limited to:

Grab bars
Lever faucets
Door repairs
Carbon monoxide detectors
Smoke detectors
Wheelchair ramps

SARFS is for Chicago seniors who earn no more than 80 percent of the area's medium income and are at least 60 years of age. Qualified recipients may be owners or renters residing in a one to four unit building (a renter must have permission from the landlord and the landlord needs to certify that he or she will not increase the rent as a direct result of SARFS improvements).

More information about this program can be found on the City of Chicago website.  And, at www.bradfordmillerlaw.com you can 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

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.