A lease or rental contract between landlord and tenant delineates the scope of responsibilities and rights of both parties. Typically it is a written and duly signed document. However, it can be verbal also, leaving room for disputes and misunderstandings in the future. The contract between landlord and tenant is an integral part of property law, and the parties to the agreement often take the help of the real estate tenant attorney to prepare valid lease documents to prevent potential disputes.
Many lawyers provide consultancy services from the inception to the end of the contract. They help in the preparation of lease Chicago and negotiate lease terms on behalf of either of the parties for enforcement of rights and obligations during eviction lawsuits. The issue of tenant eviction often arises due to consistent payment defaults by the tenants. In such cases, the landlord seeks legal help from the lawyers.
Eviction Process
Typically, landlord eviction lawyers send 5-day eviction notices to the non-paying or non-cooperative tenants before filing an eviction suit in the court of law in Chicago. If the tenants do not pay outstanding rent to the landlord, the lawyers file the eviction suit by filing relevant documents. After hearing from the court, the property owner can obtain an eviction order within 21 to 60 days. However, the process extends to more days if either of the parties opts for a jury trial.
Eviction Jury Trials
A real estate tenant attorney often requests jury trials to extend the tenancy without paying rent before 14 days of set trial. He can also seek a waiver of the jury fee on behalf of the tenant. The court draws juries in eviction jury trials based on the selection of tenants and landlords in Chicago and asks for a summary speech regarding the tenancy and issue. The chronological presentation of documents and witnesses plays a critical role in making the jury understand the facts of the case. The tenant can cross-examine the witnesses.
The landlord eviction lawyer must object if the tenant makes a wrongful statement. The landlord has the right to make a closing statement within a time limit after testimonies and statements by tenants to defend himself in the court of law. The jury offers a verdict after examining answers to specific questions under the law and pertinent questions by the landlord.
The jurors might award the possession of the property while not awarding due rental payment or negotiate with the parties to reach a final verdict. The tenants or landlords need excellent lawyers to represent their case and bring the judgment in their favor.
Caroline J. Smith 