City of Chicago and the Building Code Scofflaw List

The definition of scofflaw is one who habitually ignores and violates the law.

On January 27, 2015,  the City of Chicago, Department of Buildings (DOB) published an updated Building Code Scofflaw List with additional information, including 18 property owners and 79 properties. By separate ordinance passed in 2010, the City publishes a Building Code Scofflaw List annually, identifying residential building owners with three or more properties that are the subject of active Circuit Court cases where the violations remain uncorrected after the second court hearing. The new Problem Landlords ordinance that the City developed provides new avenues for enforcement against those on the Building Code Scofflaw List.

The list and an interactive map can be found at: http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/bldgs/supp_info/building-code-scofflaw-list.html

Building Code Scofflaws are now required to provide the DOB a list of tenants living in the affected buildings as well as a list of other properties which they have substantial ownership interest within 14 days of receiving notice.  Failure to do so will carry new fines and penalties.

The penalties for those on the List  will incentivize better conditions for renters, improved maintenance of their buildings and compliance with the Chicago Municipal Code. The Department of Buildings also regularly refers buildings with dangerous and hazardous conditions to the Department of Law to process for Circuit Court for enhanced enforcement through the Troubled Building Initiative (TBI) and other means. Currently, the City has 102 active Troubled Building Initiative cases.

   

The City of Chicago reported that in 2014 alone, DOB completed a total of 258,027 building inspections and issued 3,362 violations for lack of or non-working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, 1,021 violations for insufficient heat, 3,980 violations for dangerous and hazardous porches, and 789 violations for rodent and insect infestations and 439 violations for lack of hot water.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. is one of the few firms that practice Building Code Violation Law. We can help you prepare a response to the complaint and guide you from a legal standpoint. Located in downtown Chicago, our firm has been assisting property owners and management companies with Building Code violations for several years. Call us at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. can assist you with all your real estate needs at a very reasonable rate. Our experienced Real Estate Attorneys have earned membership in the Better Business Bureau. At bradfordmillerlaw.com you will find information about our firm along with helpful real estate information.

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

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.

Were you named in a Building Code Violation?

If you have been named as a party in a building code violation and you do not own, control or have access to the property it is important that you identify your involvement with the property as soon as possible. You may have been mistakenly named. 

Many times all parties associated with the property are named in the complaint and summoned to appear in court.  Landlords, tenants, property managers, property owners, lenders, lien holders, and/or any person with an interest in the land can all be named.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. is one of the few firms that practice Building Code Violation Law. We can help you prepare a response to the complaint and guide you from a legal standpoint. Located in downtown Chicago, our firm has been assisting property owners and management companies with Building Code violations for several years. Call us at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. can assist you with all your real estate needs at a very reasonable rate. Our experienced Real Estate Attorneys have earned membership in the Better Business Bureau. At bradfordmillerlaw.com you will find information about our firm along with helpful real estate information.

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

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.

Don't be on this list landlords!!!

On January 21, 2015, The city of Chicago approved an ordinance to identify irresponsible residential building owners. The ordinance provides new avenues to identify residential building owners who have been repeatedly cited for failing to provide tenants with basic services and protections, such as adequate heat, hot water, and working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. Landlords will find themselves on a Problem Landlords List if they have been found liable in two or more Administrative Hearing cases within a 24-month period and they have three or more serious building code violations.

“Following the tragic fire on the South Side of Chicago last September, it was clear that we needed to do more to hold landlords accountable for chronic building code violations,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “We owe this to the memory of Carliysia Clark, Carlvon Clark, Shamarion Coleman and Eri’ana Patton Smith, the children who so tragically lost their lives that day because of lack of working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and other building code violations.”

The City’s Department of Buildings (DOB), in consultation with the Department of Law (DOL), will develop and publish the Problem Landlords List and provide residential building owners an opportunity to appeal. The City will publish the first edition of the Problem Landlords List on the DOB website by Monday, January 26, 2015. DOB will send letters to landlords that  appear on the list to notify them of their violations and the new penalties they may face if they do not address the building code violations and bring their buildings into compliance.

The ordinance provides for a number of penalties against identified landlords that will provide better conditions for renters, improved maintenance of their buildings and compliance with the Chicago Municipal Code. Building owners who appear on the list will not be able to obtain business licenses, receive zoning changes, acquire city land or receive financial assistance like Tax Increment Financing (TIF), or obtain building permits not related to addressing their violations. The most serious offenders, who have already been found liable by a hearing officer or a judge and have failed to comply, could be subject to forfeiture or receivership to third parties who can provide for the life safety and welfare of the residents in their buildings.

In 2014 alone, DOB completed a total of 258,027 building inspections and issued 3,362 violations for lack of or non-working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, 1,021 violations for insufficient heat, 3,980 violations for dangerous and hazardous porches, and 789 violations for rodent and insect infestations and 439 violations for lack of hot water. 

If you have been cited for ANY building code violation, we can help. Bradford Miller Law, P.C. is one of the few firms that practice Building Code Violation Law. Located in downtown Chicago at 134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040, our firm has been assisting property owners and management companies with Building Code violations for several years. For proper, experienced representation call us at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. can assist you with all your real estate needs at a very reasonable rate. Our experienced Real Estate Attorneys have earned membership in the Better Business Bureau. At bradfordmillerlaw.com you will find information about our firm along with helpful real estate information.

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

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.

Vacant Building Owners

Did you know that the City of Chicago requires that an owner of a vacant building register the building with the City once it is vacant for more than 30 days. Each owner of a vacant building is also required to secure, insure, and maintain that building as required by ordinance. Registration must be renewed every six months. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in significant penalties.

The registered owner of a vacant building will receive a daily e-mail report of public service requests (3-1-1 calls) and police activity at the property, including 911 calls. If you register a property, you must deregister the property if it is reoccupied, sold, or demolished.

For questions or comments regarding vacant buildings, you can email the City at vacantbuildingprogram@cityofchicago.org or call the Department of Buildings at (312) 743-7200.

If you own property in Chicago be sure you follow the City of Chicago's guidelines, don't risk getting a Building Code Violation. If you have been cited for ANY building code violation, we can help. Bradford Miller Law, P.C. is one of the few firms that practice Building Code Violation Law. Located in downtown Chicago at 134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040, our firm has been assisting property owners and management companies with Building Code violations for several years. For proper, experienced representation call us at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. can assist you with all your real estate needs at a very reasonable rate. Our experienced Real Estate Attorneys have earned membership in the Better Business Bureau. At bradfordmillerlaw.com you will find information about our firm along with helpful real estate information.

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

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.

City of Chicago vacant building website

In order to address the negative impact of improperly maintained vacant buildings on its neighborhoods, the City of Chicago has adopted registration and maintenance requirements applicable to the owners of all vacant buildings and the mortgagees of certain vacant residential buildings which have not been registered by an owner. The City of Chicago takes improperly maintained buildings seriously. Through this website:

• Members of the public can obtain and track information about vacant buildings anywhere in the City of Chicago, as well as information about pending enforcement actions involving vacant buildings
• An owner of a vacant building can register the building as required by ordinance, pay all applicable registration fees (credit card or electronic check) and provide updated information to the City regarding a registered building
• A mortgagee of a vacant and unregistered residential building can register the building as required by ordinance and provide updated information to the City regarding a registered building

For questions regarding vacant buildings, you can visit the City of Chicago website, email vacantbuildingprogram@cityofchicago.org or call the Department of Buildings at (312) 743-7200.

If you own property in Chicago be sure you follow the City of Chicago's guidelines, don't risk getting a Building Code Violation. If you have been cited for ANY building code violation, we can help. Bradford Miller Law, P.C. is one of the few firms that practice Building Code Violation Law. Located in downtown Chicago at 134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040, our firm has been assisting property owners and management companies with Building Code violations for several years. For proper, experienced representation call us at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. can assist you with all your real estate needs at a very reasonable rate. Our experienced Real Estate Attorneys have earned membership in the Better Business Bureau. At bradfordmillerlaw.com you will find information about our firm along with helpful real estate information.

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

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.

What to expect

At a City of Chicago Building Code Violation hearing, both sides present their case to the Administrative Hearing Officer. The City will have an attorney working hard on their behalf. There is no doubt that they will be ready to present their case. If you need legal representation, contact us as soon as possible for proper, experienced representation. 

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. is one of the few firms that practice Building Code Violation Law. Located in downtown Chicago at 134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040, our firm has been assisting property owners and management companies with Building Code violations for several years. Call us at 312-238-9298 for a FREE 15-minute consultation. If you own property in Chicago be sure you follow the City of Chicago's guidelines, don't risk getting a Building Code Violation. If you have been cited for ANY building code violation, we can help.

Bradford Miller Law, P.C. can assist you with all your real estate needs at a very reasonable rate. Our experienced Real Estate Attorneys have earned membership in the Better Business Bureau. At bradfordmillerlaw.com you will find information about our firm along with helpful real estate information.

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

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.

Did you miss a Building Code Violation hearing?

If you missed your hearing date for a good reason or have good reason to believe that the Notice went to the wrong address; or believe that the city cited the wrong person, business or property, you may file a written Motion to Set-Aside a Default Judgment with the Department of Administrative Hearings.

In general, your Motion must be filed within 21 days of the mailing date stamped on top of the default judgment order. Motions are not granted automatically. You must file your motion on time and you must provide good reason why you did not respond to the Notice of Violation. 

Contact our office 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.

Located in downtown Chicago at 134 N. LaSalle, Suite 1040, our firm has been assisting clients with Building Code violations for several years. Contact our office for proper, experienced representation 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, Estate Planning

Visit www.bradfordmillerlaw.com for helpful information concerning Building Code Violations and information about our firm.

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, Chicago real estate attorney, Chicago real estate lawyer, Chicago building code violations, Chicago leases, Chicago Building Code Violation Attorney, Building Code Violation Lawyer, Estate Planning Lawyer, Chicago residential real estate attorney. This is intended to be advertising. Please consult with an attorney before acting on any information given here.