Thursday, July 31, 2014

REMINDER about door and window screens

On July 18, 2014, after incidents this summer in which young children were severely injured or killed after falling from an open window, the Department of Buildings and the Department of Public Health are reminding residential building owners, occupants and parents to install operable window guards on windows and limit window openings to 4 inches or less.

The Chicago Building Code requires every door opening and every window to have screens in place from April 15th to November 15th of each year. Specifically, every door opening directly from any family unit to the outdoors and every window, or other outside openings used for ventilation purposes, must be supplied with a screen of not less than 16 mesh per inch and every screen door shall have a self-closing device in good working condition.

In 2014, as of July 18, 2014, the Department of Buildings issued 168 violations related to screens in windows.  Further information can be found on the City of Chicago website. If you own property in Chicago, make sure you keep current with the maintenance of your property. Owners are required by law to make necessary repairs and maintain their property in a safe condition. Don't risk a complaint which can generate 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, July 29, 2014

Have you received a citation for a building code violation?

Contact our office as soon as possible if you have been cited by the City of Chicago. Unfortunately, my office receives calls all the time from homeowners that ignored the notices and now face thousands of dollars in fines or other penalties. Don't let this happen to you.

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 again. 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, July 22, 2014

Environmental Permits & Regulation

The City of Chicago Department of Public Health's Environmental Permitting and Inspection Program aims to protect public health and the environment by reducing environmental risks throughout the city.  Staff in this program respond to citizen complaints, inspect sites and facilities, and enforce the environmental ordinances in the Chicago Municipal Code.

This program also includes a comprehensive permitting section.  Approximately 8,000 permits are issued each year for operations and activities that have an impact on the environment.  For example, permits are issued for work involving above ground and underground storage tanks, recycling facilities, waste handling facilities, construction site rock crushers, sandblasting, grinding, chemical washing, and the installation and operation of any equipment that has the potential to create or control air pollution.

Further information can be found on the City of Chicago website. If you own property in Chicago, make sure you obtain proper permits. Don't risk a complaint which can generate 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.

Thursday, July 17, 2014

Home Owner Assistance Permit

Did you know that the City of Chicago offers assistance in regards to permits for homeowners? The Home Owner Assistance permit process allows the owner occupant of a single family home to prepare the architectural drawings for a home alteration or addition with the assistance of a Department of Buildings Project Manager. No architect is required.

The Project Manager will perform the zoning review and assist in the preparation of a simple set of code compliant permit drawings.  Complex zoning issues, however, may require a Zoning Ordinance Administration review in Room 905 of City Hall.  The Home Owner Assistance process typically requires 3 to 5 one hour meetings with the Project Manager at any of  their three Neighborhood Residential Permit Centers.  The owner occupant must personally attend and participate in all meetings.

You can visit the Neighborhood Residential Permit Center page for office locations, hours of operation and phone numbers at www.cityofchicago.org/buildings .

If you are caught without a permit, you may receive a costly Building Code Violation. The City of Chicago can also review your buildings past history and cite you for something that happened 10 years ago in which you did not obtain a permit.

If you need legal representation, Bradford Miller Law can help. We are located in downtown Chicago and have been assisting clients with Building Code Violation issues for several years. Building Code Violation issues can be frustrating, time consuming, and expensive. We will 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 again. Contact our office 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

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 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.

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Life Safety and High Rise Buildings

The City of Chicago’s High Rise Sprinkler and Life Safety Evaluation (LSE) Ordinances better protect the lives of residents, employees and visitors. The purpose is to demonstrate that a specific high-rise building can provide a reasonable level of safety from fire for the occupants. Safety Evaluations are intended to satisfy the Chicago Building Code  for an existing building exceeding 80 feet in height which does not have a full sprinkler system and is either occupied for non-transient residential uses or which is a landmark or other building so designated in accordance with the ordinance.

The Sprinkler Installation Ordinance (13-169-205) requires all pre-1975 commercial high rise buildings that are not land marked to install a full sprinkler system by January 1, 2017.  This ordinance also exempts existing pre-1975 non-transient, residential high rise buildings from the requirement to fully sprinkler the building.

The High Rise Life Safety Evaluation Ordinance (13-196-206) requires that the high-rise commercial buildings and residential buildings exempted from retro-fitting with sprinklers must undergo a rigorous evaluation of the building’s life and fire safety features from an Illinois Licensed Design Professional. The Design Professional must then submit a Life Safety Evaluation Report to the Department of Buildings and the Chicago Fire Department for their review and approval.  This report will score the Building in 18 categories of Life and Fire Safety and must contain all certified life safety upgrades required for the building to obtain a passing score.

Meeting the requirements of the Life Safety Evaluation Ordinance is a multi-step process:
  1. The Design Professional selected by building ownership must inspect and evaluate the subject Building and submit the LSE report to the Department of Buildings and the Fire Department.
  2. The Department of Buildings and the Fire Department must approve and accept the building’s Life Safety Evaluation (LSE) Report.
  3. By December 31, 2014, all construction required to comply with the individualized Life Safety Evaluation (LSE) report must be completed and verified through inspection by the Department of Buildings and the Chicago Fire Department.  Building permits must be obtained for the installation of any recommended upgrades to your building’s life safety structures or systems.  The Department of Buildings has created a streamlined permit process for LSE related construction work.
Further information can be found on the City of Chicago website. If you own property in Chicago, make sure you keep current with the maintenance of your property. Owners are required by law to make necessary repairs and maintain their property in a safe condition. Don't risk a complaint which can generate 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.



Thursday, July 10, 2014

Don't get caught without a Building Permit

If you are caught without a permit, you may receive a costly Building Code Violation. The City of Chicago can also review your buildings past history and cite you for something that happened 10 years ago in which you did not obtain a permit.

If you need legal representation, Bradford Miller Law can help. We are located in downtown Chicago and have been assisting clients with Building Code Violation issues for several years. Building Code Violation issues can be frustrating, time consuming, and expensive. We will 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 again. Contact our office 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

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 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.

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

It's a serious matter!

Building code violations are a serious matter. Please do not take it lightly and ignore a building code violation notice from the City of Chicago. Fines will add up very quickly and a serious matter can turn into a nightmare.

Contact us as soon as possible if you have been cited by the City of Chicago. 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 again. 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.

Thursday, July 3, 2014

Accreditation with the Better Business Bureau

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. has been an accredited business member of the Better Business Bureau since June 1, 2013, maintaining an A rating.

What this means is that the BBB determined that Bradford Miller Law, P.C. meets their accreditation standards, which includes a commitment to make a good faith effort to resolve any consumer complaints. We are proud of the fact that to date, we have not received any complaints.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. focuses on real estate law, landlord tenant law, building code violations and estate planning. We are committed to providing you with expert legal support and approach every client with a focus on integrity, advocacy, and understanding. At www.bradfordmillerlaw.com you will find information about our firm and can review the BBB accreditation by simply clicking on the icon in the upper left corner.

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.

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Disconnect your downspouts

The City of Chicago was the first major metropolitan area in the country to successfully implement an inlet control system to relieve basement flooding. The system works by installing valves to slow the flow of storm water into the sewer system. Storm water is detained on city streets for brief periods before flowing back into the sewer system. This measure helps relieve the burden on the sewer system and reduce the frequency of basement flooding and combined sewer overflows into the waterways.

The effectiveness of the inlet control system depends on the number of roof downspouts that are disconnected from the sewer system. While impractical in some places (where there are only hard surfaces or where drainage could impact neighboring property), the potential to reduce basement flooding and increase natural infiltration is great.

The City actively encourages homeowners to disconnect their downspouts from the sewer system and direct the water instead to their yards or gardens. Downspout disconnection can help prevent basement sewage backup. Before you disconnect your downspout, consider where you are directing the water, and that cold weather will cause icing conditions. When you are completed, your project should be a permanent solution which is beneficial to your grass, flowers, shrubbery and trees. Important Things to Remember:
  • Direct Downspout extensions towards the street or alley to prevent seepage into building foundations or adjacent properties. 
  • Firmly anchored splash blocks should be installed if downspout drainage is to travel over landscaping or dirt.  
  • Do not allow water to splash or pond on adjacent private property. 
  • Make sure downspout extensions end at least three feet away from basement foundations, and water is being directed on ground that slopes away (downward) from your building.
If you own property in Chicago, make sure you keep current with the maintenance of your property. Owners are required by law to make necessary repairs and maintain their property in a safe condition. Don't risk a complaint which can generate 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

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.