Expert Tenant Rights Lawyers in Chicago, IL

Helping to Make the Eviction Process Less Stressful

Caroline J. Smith & Associates seeks to make the eviction process less stressful for tenants. Our tenant rights lawyers in Chicago, IL are skilled at reviewing lease terms and developing strategies to enforce your tenants’ rights inside and outside of the courtroom.

We review leases, negotiate leases, prepare break-lease letters, draft letters to landlords for repairs, represent tenants in eviction cases and represent tenants in security deposit cases. Call (312) 219-2055 for a FREE, 15-minute consultation today.

Important Rights That Every Tenant Should Know 

Each tenant should learn about their following rights and consult an attorney if they have further questions: 

• Landlords cannot retaliate against a tenant because the tenant reported code violations to the City of Chicago or a municipality by calling 311 or going to file a complaint at the Village Hall. 
• Landlords are responsible for paying annual interest on the security deposit if the tenant lives in the city of Chicago.
• The Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) controls the rights and responsibilities of both landlords and tenants in the city of Chicago. 
• Every tenant is entitled to live in an apartment in compliance with the building code and free of mice, roaches, mold, leaking ceilings and with adequate heat and water.
• Tenants should complain in writing about any repair problems with the unit by providing the landlord with a letter describing the problems and demanding that the problems are fixed within 14 days. The tenant should keep a copy of the letter. 
• Tenants are entitled to a receipt for the security deposit and to know the name of the bank where the security deposit is being held. 
• Landlords cannot retaliate against tenants because the tenants called the city of Chicago or 311 to complain about repair problems with the apartment.