Evictions in Chicago have gone back to pre-pandemic levels.
If you're a Chicago landlord, evicting a tenant is one of the most stressful aspects of the job. You don't want to have to evict a tenant, but at the same time, you need to protect yourself and your property.
Putting an eviction protection plan in place can prepare you for any situation that arises with one of your tenants. In today's post, we'll give you some eviction protection tips to avoid evictions and deal with them when they must happen. Keep reading and you'll know how to deal with a rental eviction.
The Role of Tenant Screening
Firstly, the best way to protect yourself from having to evict a tenant is to take tenant screening seriously. If you thoroughly screen all applicants, you'll have a good sense of the type of person you're letting into your rental property.
Screening involves numerous different tactics, from criminal background checks to reference calls. A criminal background check will tell you if an applicant has any concerning charges in the past. You should also perform a financial background check to understand how fiscally responsible they might be.
Reference checks are important for understanding a tenant's character. By talking to a previous landlord and/or employer, you can ask pointed questions that tell you if a tenant will be a good fit or not.
Lease Compliance and Property Inspections
When you select a tenant through tenant placement or screening, you can be confident you're getting someone good. Even good tenants need clarity in the lease agreement to understand what they can and can't do.
Having a detailed lease agreement will give both parties a document to turn to when there are miscommunications. It should lay out when rent is due, whether there are grace periods, and the consequences of breaking the lease.
Another thing that can help you avoid evictions is property inspections. If you perform regular inspections, you can spot any lease violations as they happen. You can then work with your tenant to rectify the situation and take measures to evict them if they refuse to fix the issue.
Handling a Rental Eviction
The eviction process can be long and stressful. An eviction protection plan should help you avoid them altogether, but it's still important to be prepared in the event you need to do one.
What you need to do is understand the eviction laws in Chicago. Failing to follow due process can lead to penalties and even failed evictions. Make sure to give the correct notice and follow the correct steps to successfully evict a bad tenant.
Eviction Protection and Property Management
If you dread the thought of going through an eviction alone, the best thing to do is hire property management. A good property manager will tackle things like tenant screening to make sure you get the best tenant for your vacancy.
They'll also offer the experience and knowledge to keep you safe from the pitfalls of evictions. As one of the top property management companies in Chicago, we can give you the best landlord advice to keep your rental income coming in. Contact us today to learn more about what we do.
