Friday, May 30, 2014

Does your building have a rooftop water tank?

If so, on May 28, 2014 the City of Chicago introduced an Ordinance strengthening the inspection and reporting requirements for rooftop water tank structures. The City of Chicago, Department of Buildings released this information to the public:

"Mayor Emanuel introduced an ordinance in City Council today that will require building owners with rooftop water tank structures to retain a third-party licensed architect or licensed structural engineer to perform an in-depth inspection of the tanks and to submit a written report detailing the inspection to the Department of the Buildings within one year of ordinance passage, and then each subsequent two years thereafter.

Currently, building owners with rooftop water tanks perform a critical inspection of the tanks and submit a written report for review by the Department of Buildings every five years.  The new ordinance expands the scope of the inspection to include a critical and invasive inspection, with a hands-on comprehensive review of the structural integrity of the water tanks and the supporting structure.

“The increase in extreme weather incidents, including extreme heat, extreme freezing and high winds, combined with the aging of the tanks and supporting structures, warranted the evaluation of the time span and degree of the inspections,” said Felicia Davis, Commissioner for the Department of Buildings. “The proposed new ordinance provisions are designed to properly evaluate and monitor the structural integrity of the water tanks and supporting structure.”

The new reforms also reinforce the priority of the Commissioner of Buildings’ emergency demolition powers regarding a water tank and support structure that poses an immediate life-safety risk."

Landlords take note of this and avoid getting a Building Code Violation. If you are cited for ANY building code violation contact Bradford Miller Law, P.C. for a FREE 15-minute consultation. Located in downtown Chicago, our firm has been assisting clients with Building Code Violations for several years.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago Building Code violations, Chicago Building Code Violation lawyer, Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant attorney, Chicago Real Estate attorney, Chicago Eviction attorney, Chicago Leases, Chicago real estate attorney fees, Estate Planning Lawyer. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Inspect those porches for needed repairs

After a historic winter in Chicago, the Department of Buildings is reminding residents to take time this spring to inspect porches, decks, balconies and stairs for needed repairs and to always use porches safely during the warm summer months.

Landlords be sure to check for important signs of deterioration, including:
•    Split or rotting wood, or evidence of water damage
•    Loose, missing or rusting hardware or bolts
•    Loose or missing anchors where the porch attaches to a building
•    Missing, damaged or loose support beams and planking
•    Excessive movement of the structure when walked on
•    Wobbly handrails or guardrails

Avoid getting a Building Code Violation. Owners are required by law to make necessary repairs and maintain their property in a safe condition. If you are cited for ANY building code violation, contact Bradford Miller Law, P.C. for a FREE 15-minute consultation. Located in downtown Chicago, our firm has been assisting clients with Building Code Violations for several years.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago Building Code violations, Chicago Building Code Violation lawyer, Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant attorney, Chicago Real Estate attorney, Chicago Eviction attorney, Chicago Leases, Chicago real estate attorney fees, Estate Planning Lawyer. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.


Thursday, May 22, 2014

Penalties for violations

According to the Chicago Municipal Code, any person found guilty of violating any of the building code provisions, upon conviction thereof shall be punished by a fine of not less than $300.00 nor more than $500.00 for each offense. A separate and distinct offense shall be regarded as committed each day on which such person shall continue or permit any such violation. In addition to such fines and penalties any license or permit issued to such violator or offending party by the City of Chicago may be revoked. Notwithstanding any fines imposed the city shall also have the right to seek mandatory compliance or in the alternative to seek demolition of a building not in compliance.

Don't procrastinate if you have been cited for building code violations, Bradford Miller Law can handle the problem for you. Call our office at 1-312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation. We can represent you and will work with the City to try and get the violation dismissed or get you sufficient time to fix the violation without being fined repeatedly.

Bradford Miller Law, located in downtown Chicago has been assisting clients with Building Code Violation issues for several years. Give us a call so we can help resolve your Building Code Violation in an efficient manner saving you time and money.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.

134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, Il 60602
312-238-9298

http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago Building Code violations, Chicago Building Code Violation lawyer, Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant attorney, Chicago Real Estate attorney, Chicago Eviction attorney, Chicago leases, Chicago real estate attorney fees,  Estate Planning Attorney, This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

You are responisble for vacant buildings

This afternoon, Chicago Tribune reporter, Liam Ford reported that that the owner of a vacant building where two Chicago firefighters died in 2010 was sentenced to six months in jail. The judge also ordered the owner to to pay $5,229 in fines.

“Building owners have a legal and a civic responsibility to maintain their properties in our neighborhoods in a safe and responsible manner and this case represents our commitment to holding building owners accountable,” Cook County state's attorney Anita Alvarez said in a news release.

Mr. Ford reported that in 2007, city building inspectors had issued 14 citations against the building, including pointing out that the roof and roof trusses were in disrepair. The owner did not attend what prosecutors called “numerous” court dates, and fines of $14,000 were leveled against him. The owner signed an order in 2009 agreeing to make the required repairs, but never made them, prosecutors said. For the complete story visit the Chicago tribune website at http://www.chicagotribune.com/

Don't let this happen to you! If you receive a violation, it needs to be handled as soon as possible. Bradford Miller Law, P.C. is one of the few firms that practice Building Code Violation Law. Dealing with Building Code Violations can be frustrating, time consuming, and expensive. Let the attorneys at Bradford Miller Law, P.C. appear on your behalf to get the matter settled in a timely manner at a very reasonable rate. We handle these types of cases on a daily basis and can work with the City to get the violations dismissed and/or get you ample time to fix the violations without being fined over and over. Contact our office for proper, experienced representation at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations.Chicago leases, Chicago Building Code Violation Attorney, Building Code Violation Lawyer. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.



Rain, Rain Go Away, Come Again Another Day

The City of Chicago installed its inlet control valve system called the "Rainblocker." When a  restrictor valve is installed in the storm water catch basin in the street, the device funnels and regulates the water from the street to the main sewer line. During a heavy rain, the smaller opening allows less water into the sewer system. The streets act as a temporary holding area for the rainfall. Surplus water in the system will not force contaminated water back through homeowners' private lines and into the home's lowest spot, the basement. This process buys time for the system to catch up.

The city is the first to recognize flooding problems still exist. Flooded streets, a problem deemed preferable to flooded basements, are an acknowledged byproduct of the valve system. The "Rainblocker" program is clearly a work in progress, but if basement backup has been minimized each time it rains, then it appears the city is headed in the right direction. If you think the "Rainblocker" in your nearby catch basin is ineffective, you can ask that it be evaluated by the city with a hydraulic study. Just call 3-1-1 and ask for the Water Management Leak Desk. Remember, the purpose of the rain blocker is to keep water in the street and feed it gradually into our sewers. The presence of water in your street may indicate success.

Contact Bradford Miller Law, P.C. for all your real estate needs, landlord-tenant issues and building code violations. Our office is located on LaSalle Street in the heart of downtown Chicago. To discuss your pending or potential real estate transaction, your ongoing legal needs as a property owner or landlord, or your estate planning concerns, call us at 312-238-9298 for a free 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago leases, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago real estate closings, Chicago building code violations, short sale attorney Chicago. This is intended to be advertising.  Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Code Clarifications and Interpretations

The City of Chicago Department of Building website has useful information for property owners regarding certain sections of the Building Code that have come to require further explanation. These sections are as follows:
  • Use and Occupancy
  • Special Occupancy
  • Building Height and Area Limits
  • Types of Construction
  • Fire Resistance
  • Fire Detection Systems
  • Exiting
  • Interior Environment
  • Structural Loads
  • Plumbing
  • Safety during Construction
  • Repairs, Renovations, Alterations
To review the City of Chicago Building Code Clarifications and Interpretations go to their website at
http://www.cityofchicago.org/buildings Then click on Building Code Clarifications and Interpretations under Helpful Links.

Building Code violations can be confusing. Bradford Miller Law, P.C. can help you resolve any issues you may have with the City of Chicago in a timely cost efficient manner. We have been helping property owners for several years now with their Building Code Violations. Give us a call at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, Il 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago Building Code violations, Chicago Building Code Violation lawyer, Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant attorney, Chicago Real Estate attorney, Chicago Eviction attorney, Chicago leases, Chicago real estate attorney fees,  Estate Planning Attorney, This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Thursday, May 8, 2014

Building Code Violation Attorney

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. is one of the few firms that practice Building Code Violation Law. Dealing with Building Code Violations can be frustrating, time consuming, and expensive. Let the attorneys at Bradford Miller Law, P.C. appear on your behalf to get the matter settled in a timely manner at a very reasonable rate. We handle these types of cases on a daily basis and can work with the City to get the violations dismissed and/or get you ample time to fix the violations without being fined over and over. Contact our office for proper, experienced representation at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations.Chicago leases, Chicago Building Code Violation Attorney, Building Code Violation Lawyer. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

Thank you for your Yelp reviews

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my clients for their great reviews of our law firm on Yelp. All the reviews were positive and I was happy to see that Bradford Miller Law, P.C., was given a 5 star rating from everyone. This is a huge accomplishment in my eyes. Once again thank you.

To see the reviews, visit our website at http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com/ and simply click on the Yelp icon in the upper left corner or go directly to Yelp's website at http://www.yelp.com/biz/bradford-miller-law-pc-chicago

Our office is located on LaSalle Street in the heart of downtown Chicago, near many major title companies' offices. We accomplish as much as possible for our clients by telephone and electronic communications to minimize demands on their valuable time. To discuss your pending or potential real estate transaction, your ongoing legal needs as a property owner or landlord, or your estate planning concerns, call us at 312-238-9298 for a free 15-minute consultation.

Our website also has testimonials from our clients and professional peers. I encourage you to read them to learn more about our approach.

Posted by Bradford Miller Law, P.C.
Practicing in Real Estate Law, Landlord Tenant Law, and Estate Planning
134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040
Chicago, IL 60602
312-238-9298
http://www.bradfordmillerlaw.com

Offering free legal representation to homeowners seeking a short sale

Key words: Chicago short sale attorney, Chicago landlord tenant law attorney, Chicago estate planning attorney, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago leases, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago real estate closings, Chicago building code violations, short sale attorney Chicago. This is intended to be advertising.  Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.