A tenant who pays their rent in time, uses the property responsibly, is at peace with their neighbors and renews their tenancy contract when it is due – these are definitely the qualities every landlord hopes for in a tenant. Unfortunately, not all tenants come with these traits.
It is not uncommon for the landlord to terminate the lease contract and evict the tenant before the end of the tenancy period. If you find yourself in a situation where you have to evict a tenant, it is important that you understand how to do so legally. Here are three valid instances when a landlord can evict a tenant in Illinois.
When there are issues with rent payment
Every tenancy contract comes with the date and the manner in which the tenant should pay their rent. If a tenant routinely fails to honor their end of the bargain when it comes to rent payment, then the landlord may have valid grounds for evicting them. Of course, before taking this drastic action, you may consider sending them a “late rent” reminder and possibly try to come up with a payment plan for the outstanding rent.
When the tenant causes damage to the rental property
Any property that is occupied will undergo wear and tear, and this is absolutely normal. However, if the tenant is causing serious damages to the property, like punching holes through the walls, breaking windows or damaging the countertops, then you may consider evicting them. Of course, accidents happen and you should be willing to overlook occasional incidents, especially if the tenant takes responsibility for the damage.
When the tenant violates the lease terms
Violation of the property’s lease terms is another valid reason why you may file an eviction notice against the tenant. Activities that may amount to the violation of the lease terms include:
- Unlawfully subletting the property
- Operating a high-traffic business on the property
- Committing crime (like selling drugs) on the property
- Keep unauthorized pets
Owning a rental property comes with its share of benefits and challenges. Find out how you can evict a tenant without jeopardizing your rights and interests.