Latest from The Brief

Ah, the Illinois Supreme Court.

The most connected brightest legal minds in the game.

It's a hard job.

And they mean well.

But sometimes, they can't leave well enough alone...

Case in point:

They spent $60 million to help Tenants pay rent.

We know what you're thinking:

"What's...

Overheard a Tenant's phone call at the coffee shop today:

"Oh, not much.  Doing a few chores around the house."

* hears snarky voice on other end *

"Nah, it's cool.  My Landlord discounts rent when I help out!"

Hmm...

Appreciate the team spirit, bud.

But it's not smart.

At least for...

It's sad but true:

At some point, a Tenant will break your lease.

And when they do, your next move better be right.

Let's say a Tenant keeps firing up cancer sticks in the home (despite the whole "no smoking" thing).

You would serve them a 10-Day Notice to Quit.

This says what they did...

It's a hassle to find good Tenants.

So when you do, locking them up for a year helps.

But life happens.

Some Tenants get fired.

Others chase big kid money.

Maybe someone *finally* leaves that neurotic ex.

It doesn't matter why.

They're leaving before the lease ends.

Which means you gotta get...

One of the dumbest things we hear from Landlords.

"But, but... it's in the lease!"

Here's the truth:

A great lease stacks the deck in your favor.

But you can't sit by willy nilly hoping the Tenant plays along.

Case in point: furnace filters.

Any killer lease makes the Tenant change...

Pop quiz...

What makes a bad Tenant worse?

* cue Jeopardy music *

A Tic-Tok teenager who thinks rules don't apply to them.

It gets worse...

They're *kinda* right.

The kid didn't sign the lease.

No big deal. 

You can't hold a minor to a lease anyway.

But that also means you can't...

Want to make money (without lifting a finger)?

Of course you do.

Yeah, it sounds fishy.

But hey - you know we wouldn't lie to you!

Here's how:

Increase rent if the lease auto-renews.

It's that easy...

Let's say you sign a one-year lease.

But you got lazy busy and forgot to sign a...

We got a call the other day.

Turns out, there's a new scam in town:

Tenant's lying about money.

Well, kinda.

Here's the scoop.

Tenants have a job, but they give fake paystubs with rental applications.

Why?

• Add a few hours / week (shows more money)
• Give a slight raise (on paper)

Odds are...

So this Landlord got a letter from the EPA.

The Tenant let them in on a little secret:

The Landlord didn't give a lead paint disclosure before moving in.

* hears nervous laughter *

And that's a problem (asking for a friend)?

You must give a lead paint disclosure & pamphlet to Tenants for...

As a Landlord, you gotta make money.

Shoes to buy, mouths to feed.

You do this with rental income.

But sometimes the real estate market turns hotter than a turkey fresh outta the oven.

And when it does, you may want to cash in and sell a house.

Make sure the lease lets you end a tenancy if...

If you're a Landlord long enough, someone will owe you rent.

And there's always a sob story reason.

Out of town for a funeral.

Hours cut at work.

The new iPhone released, so...

The line of excuses are longer than a Chick-fil-A drive-thru.

Now listen, empathy ain't bad.

But it doesn't...

You get it.

Being a Landlord is risky.

And Lady Luck ain't always on your side.

So you took advice from smart lawyers and started an LLC.

They rambled on about the LLC being a "separate entity."

And how it helps protect your stuff when if you get sued.

Yada yada yada.

You're...