Moving into a new apartment can be a hectic time. During the unpacking and settling-in phase, a new tenant may not notice things like broken security gates, fire hazards and loud neighbors. When these problems become more than a minor headache, tenants should file a complaint with the property manager or landlord. Before filing that complaint, however, the tenant needs to take certain steps to ensure success. By keeping these tips in mind, renters can ensure that their complaints will be taken seriously.
Pay Rent On Time
When a tenant files a complaint under tenant rights law in Chicago, they ask the manager or landlord to take responsibility for their property-;and they should ensure that they’re holding up their end of the bargain as well. If there’s no discussion about late or unpaid rent, the landlord will have little choice but to focus on the problem at hand. If the renter’s complaint involves a visit to the apartment, they should clean the place up before the landlord arrives.
Review the Lease’s Terms and Conditions
Renters should understand the lease terms before assuming that what they’re asking the landlord to do is actually their responsibility. Asking for changes and improvements that the landlord isn’t obligated to provide can be futile. However, if the complaint concerns a safety issue, the tenant has a right to bring it up even if the situation is not outlined in the lease.
Keep Track of Requests
Tenants should keep track of complaints and responses. If the complaint is made over the phone, it should be backed up with a paper letter. If a landlord hasn’t responded to a complaint, the tenant should send a certified letter. Most managers and landlords don’t converse through email, but email trails are a great record of a tenant’s efforts to get in touch. If a renter eventually has to hire an attorney with Starr Bejgiert Zink & Rowells to resolve the issue according to tenant rights law in Chicago, they will need proof that they’ve taken other steps to resolve the issue.
Whatever a renter does, they should not give up. If they do so, they give the landlord the impression that they’ll back down if they’re ignored. Tenants should be reasonable but persistent, firm but polite. When a complaint is resolved, the tenant should let their neighbors know how they got the landlord to solve the problem.
