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This myth won't die May 15, 2023

It's 2:00 AM when your Tenant calls.

Thinking he's drunk, you hit ignore.

Then he follows up with this text:

"Yo, my toilet erupted like Old Faithful - HELP!!"

Uh-oh spaghetti-o... 

He kills the water main and it stops.

Somehow, there's no damage.

Until you get the plumber's invoice.

...

Read on...
We don't have hard data on this Apr 30, 2023

"It can't be that easy," said a Legal Plan Member.

"I serve the eviction notice, then sit back and relax?"

You got it, bud!

It's kinda hard to believe, you know...

Given Illinois' love affair with Tenants.

But it's true.

If you serve the right eviction notice, your work is pretty...

Read on...
Well this is awkward... Apr 20, 2023

Knock, knock.

Who's there?

Better not be you (at least without notice)!

Picture this:

Rent is overdue. And the Tenant won't return your text.

So you waltz over to the property - unannounced.

No one answers.  So you crack the front door and peek inside.

Sure enough, your Tenant is watching...

Read on...
He didn't say NOT to share this Apr 08, 2023

It didn't sink in right away.

Until we spoke with this new Legal Plan Member.

They knew our lease is the best in the business.

But missed that we can't draft around everything...

You know, things like the implied warranty of habitability.

* quickly Google searches...

Read on...
Can't fix stupid Mar 29, 2023

So, uh...

Someone was mad at a Legal Plan Member.

The problem?

They were charging a non-refundable rental application fee.

And the *wannabe* Tenant SAID it was illegal.

So our member wanted to know:

Is this dude off his rocker?!?

Yep, he's wrong.

Non-refundable applic...

Read on...
Wanna sue your real estate broker? Mar 09, 2023

This real estate broker should count his blessings.

He almost screwed up - big time.

His client bought a rental house.

And the security deposit transferred to the buyer at closing.

But the client didn't know this little law.

We'll spare you the legal mumbo jumbo and just say...

Read on...
No way you think this is ok Mar 03, 2023

Surprise, surprise...

Tenants want to be safe. And they expect you to help make it happen.

You know, things like:

  • Doors that lock.
  • Smoke detectors that work.
  • An underground bunker with a year's supply of non-perishable food.

Sure, you wanna keep Tenants safe.

But when they...

Read on...
Here kitty kitty Feb 22, 2023

Be honest:

Do you think we're just whistlin' Dixie with these emails?!? 

Why do we keep talking about eviction notices?

And why did we spend hours building this free guide to help you get it right?

* raises hand slowly *

Because some good-lookin' readers of The Brief...

Read on...
When to keep that magic money Feb 18, 2023

Uh oh, this Landlord is about to lose it.

And you'll never guess why...

* cue Jeopardy music *

The Tenant threw a late night karaoke party.

And the grand prize went to the best cover of Whitney Houston's 'I Will Always Love You.'

This symphony of tone-deaf cats put on a show...

Read on...
Not my problem Feb 09, 2023

Have you heard of Section 8?

It's where Uncle Sam helps Tenants pay rent.

And like most government stuff, it comes with a bunch of strings.

Most Landlords didn't take Section 8 Tenants.

Until this law made you.

Just kidding. Kinda.

Here's the deal:

You can't deny a Tenant because they...

Read on...
Your Tenant is cooking more than dinner Jan 26, 2023

The only thing you learned in 1st Grade:

Tattle-tales don't make friends.

But it may keep ya outta trouble.

Truth is...

Most Tenant problems have been going on for months.

One mouse turns into an all-out takeover.

A leaky faucet becomes an indoor swimming pool.

The living room...

Read on...
Officer, please give these to your inmate Jan 18, 2023

This makes no sense.

You sued a Tenant.

And won (thanks to these lawyers).

The Judge gave two weeks for the guy to get out.

But instead of packing up, he hit the town with some buddies.

And ended up in the slammer.

Rumor has it his cronies are gonna watch over your house until he gets out.

...
Read on...