Being a landlord is a great investment for some people. Most landlords are familiar with having to provide a nice place for their tenants. In exchange, many tenants pay the rent without any issues.
There are several things that landlords in Cook County, IL, should remember.
1. Livable conditions are required
Landlords must provide livable conditions for their tenants. The county even sets standards for the temperatures that renters must have during specific times of the year. From September 15 through June 1, the home must have an inside temperature of 66 degrees or more from 10:30 at night through 8:30 in the morning and at least 68 degrees the rest of the day.
The home must be free of bedbugs or the landlord must provide appropriate pest control within 10 days. Any other defects that are noted must be repaired within 14 days or the tenant can invoke certain rights, such as handling the repair and deducting it from rent.
2. Holiday and winter moratoriums apply
Cook County issues special moratoriums during the colder months of the year. This includes a period around Christmas and through New Year. Evictions are also forbidden if the temperature is 15 degrees Fahrenheit or below or if there are extreme weather conditions that would put the individuals being evicted in danger.
3. Lockouts are forbidden
Landlords aren’t allowed to lock their tenants out. This means that it’s illegal to change the locks to evict the tenants. Only the Cook County Sheriff’s Office can evict tenants once they have an eviction order from the court in hand.
Any landlord who’s having issues with tenants should ensure they know their rights. While many people are familiar with tenant’s rights, they may not realize that landlords have some, too.