House &amp; Apartment

Asking for more time to move out after an eviction

Explore the risks of not paying property taxes on time and determine when and how property tax debt can be addressed.

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Explains the process for requesting more time to move out when an Eviction Order has been entered in your case.

How-To

A tenant can use a defense (legal reason) to ask the judge to throw out an eviction case. Some eviction defenses are listed.

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Giving a tenant an eviction notice

Evicting a tenant

Written eviction notices

Describes the types of eviction notices that a landlord must provide to evict a tenant. These are also called Notices to Terminate Tenancy.

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Evict a tenant

A program that helps you make notice and eviction complaint forms to evict a tenant in Illinois.

Easy Form

Steps to start the eviction process by giving a tenant an eviction notice and filling out a Proof of Service.

How-To

A tenant can use a defense (legal reason) to ask the judge to throw out an eviction case. Some eviction defenses are listed.

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Paying rent

Ending the lease

Identify the legal requirements for ending leases and explore relevant legal documents.

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Emergency rent assistance available in eviction court

A tenant can use a defense (legal reason) to ask the judge to throw out an eviction case. Some eviction defenses are listed.

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Describes a rent payment program for landlords and tenants with an eviction court case.

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Rights for renters in suburban Cook County as of June 1st, 2021

A blog post that explains the Cook County Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance. Describes the rights tenants have under the law.

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Getting or returning a security deposit

Security deposits

Small claims complaint

A program to help you make the forms to sue someone for up to $10,000. It can be used to sue a landlord for a security deposit.

Easy Form

How security deposits can be used, when they have to be returned, and how a tenant can get theirs back from their landlord.

Guide

Rights for renters in suburban Cook County as of June 1st, 2021

A tenant can use a defense (legal reason) to ask the judge to throw out an eviction case. Some eviction defenses are listed.

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A blog post that explains the Cook County Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance. Describes the rights tenants have under the law.

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What is a property tax exemption and how do I get one?

Property taxes

An article about how property is assessed and qualifying for property tax exemptions.

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Fight my property tax assessment

Explore the risks of not paying property taxes on time and determine when and how property tax debt can be addressed.

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Getting your property taxes changed if you think they're too high.

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Filing documents with the county recorder's office

Information on the role of the county recorder's office and filing fees

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Living in a mobile home park

Renting a mobile home

Explains your rights and responsibilities outlined in the Illinois mobile home regulations for mobile home park tenants.

Guide

Eviction in a mobile home park

Explains when a park owner can evict a tenant in a mobile home park.

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Park owner's duties in a mobile home park

Explains what a park owner is responsible for in a mobile home park according to Illinois mobile home park laws.

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Requirements in a mobile home lease

Explains that leases within mobile home parks must be at least 2 years and be given in writing. Here's what you can expect in your agreement to live in the mobile home park.

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A problem with a past landlord

Eviction basics

Learn about eviction and understand the legal steps for removing occupants.

Guide

Remove eviction from public record

A program to help you ask a judge to remove an eviction court file from the public record so it does not show up in a background check or credit report.

Easy Form

Chicago residential landlord-tenant ordinance or RLTO

Understand the law for landlords and tenants in Chicago, unless the building has 6 or less units and the landlord lives there.

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Foreclosure

Explore the risks of not paying property taxes on time and determine when and how property tax debt can be addressed.

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Collecting a surplus after a foreclosure sale

A tenant can use a defense (legal reason) to ask the judge to throw out an eviction case. Some eviction defenses are listed.

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Describes how you can collect extra money if your house is sold for more than what you owe.

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Respond to a mortgage foreclosure complaint

A program to help you complete the forms for an Answer and Appearance, to respond to a Mortgage Foreclosure Complaint.

Easy Form

What is a property tax exemption and how do I get one?

Home ownership

An article about how property is assessed and qualifying for property tax exemptions.

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Transfer on death instrument or TODI

A program to prepare a Transfer on Death Instrument to give residential property to your loved ones after your death.

Easy Form

Contract for Deed home buyers' rights and obligations

Explore the risks of not paying property taxes on time and determine when and how property tax debt can be addressed.

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The Contract for Deed is a way to buy a house that doesn't involve a bank. Instead, the buyer moves in and pays the seller monthly payments. Once the house is paid off, the buyer gets the deed.

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Utilities in my house or apartment

5 Winter Utility Myths

A blog about common misconceptions surrounding winter utility usage.

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Qualifying and Applying for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)

Understand how to receive financial assistance to pay for utilities through LIHEAP.

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The utility company says I owe them a lot of money from a long time ago. What should I do?

Your options when a utility claims you owe them money.

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How to prevent a shut off by the utility company

Explains situations, days, and hours in which a utility company cannot shut off service including holidays.

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Housing assistance and public housing

Reasons why Section 8 vouchers can be taken away

There are many reasons why your section 8 housing voucher may be taken away. This article lists why you may lose your rental assistance and potential solutions.

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Re-entry resources for prisoners and former prisoners

Resources for recently released individuals returning from prison, including organizations that offer housing, education, employment, and other services for people with criminal records.

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Appealing a decision to terminate a Section 8 voucher

Steps to appeal a hearing officer's decision to terminate a Section 8 housing voucher after you already had a hearing with the housing authority.

How-To

Losing a section 8 voucher

Lists reasons for eviction and explains why a Section 8 housing voucher can be ended.

Guide

Reasons why Section 8 vouchers can be taken away

Housing discrimination

There are many reasons why your section 8 housing voucher may be taken away. This article lists why you may lose your rental assistance and potential solutions.

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Source of income protections for renters

Describes new protections available to renters looking to find a place to rent with section 8, rental assistance, and other non-employment income.

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Rights for renters in suburban Cook County as of June 1st, 2021

A blog post that explains the Cook County Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance. Describes the rights tenants have under the law.

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Renting with a criminal record in Cook County: Renter’s rights checklist

If you live in Cook County, you generally cannot be denied housing just because of your arrest or conviction record. Use this checklist to see if you can challenge a landlord's decision as discriminatory.

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Housing repairs and living conditions

Ending the lease

Identify the legal requirements for ending leases and explore relevant legal documents.

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My landlord doesn't make repairs. What should I do?

Includes repair and deduct and withholding rent.

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Can't I cancel a contract within 3 days?

A tenant can use a defense (legal reason) to ask the judge to throw out an eviction case. Some eviction defenses are listed.

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Describes how a contract may or may not be canceled depending on the type of contract, like door-to-door sales or loans.

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Other house and apartment issues

Reasons why Section 8 vouchers can be taken away

There are many reasons why your section 8 housing voucher may be taken away. This article lists why you may lose your rental assistance and potential solutions.

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Ending the lease

Identify the legal requirements for ending leases and explore relevant legal documents.

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Who owns the tree on both my and my neighbor's property?

Understand your rights when it comes to property lines and trees between you and your neighbor.

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Sample Illinois lease

A sample lease for tenants and landlords that you can use to create your own version.

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