If your landlord is facing foreclosure…
DON’T: Look for a new apartment
DO: Know you have the right to stay in your apartment!
DON’T: Stop paying your rent
DO: Know you have a responsibility to pay the rent until there is a new owner!
DON’T: Give up and start packing
DO: Stay in your home!
Tenants have rights when their building goes into foreclosure. Here is a list of some of your rights. Also check out the Metropolitan Tenants Organization website.
Unsure where your building is in the foreclosure process? Here is a very simplified timeline that can help you understand the foreclosure process.
If you think your landlord is violating your rights…
Renters have rights under the Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO). If you think your landlord is violating your rights, call:
- Metropolitan Tenants Organization hotline: (773) 292-4988
open Monday to Friday, 1-5pm - City of Chicago building code inspectors: 311
If you just started court proceedings…
Get a lawyer. You can file motions to challenge your eviction and at least buy more time. If you can’t afford a lawyer, and if you are facing eviction because the building where you live is in foreclosure, are having problems with landlord-paid utilities, or your building needs repairs, these groups may also be able to help:
- Legal Assistance Foundation of Metropolitan Chicago (312) 341-1070 (Cook County/Chicago)
- Lawyers’ Committee for Better Housing (312) 347-8390 or (312) 347-7600 (Chicago)
- Cabrini Green Legal Aid (312) 738-2452 (Chicago)
- Cook County Foreclosure Mediation (877) 895-2444 (Cook County)
- Legal Aid Bureau (312) 986-4200 (Chicago)
- Coordinated Advice and Referral Program for Legal Services (CARPLS) 312-378-9200 (Cook County/Chicago)
- Prairie State Legal Services (800) 531-7057 (Northern Illinois)
- Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation (877) 342-7891 (Southern Illinois)
If you want to file “pro se” (without a lawyer), this website can guide you through filing some common motions: www.illinoislegalaid.org.
If you’re about to be put out and want to fight it…
Find a chapter of Communities United or Chicago Anti-Eviction Campaign closest to where you live and come to the next meeting. Or, email us about how you can organize and enforce the human right to housing in your own community!
