Chicago Property Management Blog

As a landlord participating in the Chicago Housing Authority's Housing Choice Voucher program, it is important to understand the inspection process to ensure your units meet the necessary requirements. CHA conducts inspections of subsidized units to determine if they meet the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) set by HUD. If a unit fails an inspection, the landlord and tenant may face consequences, so preparing for inspections is key.C...

As a landlord in Chicago, it is critical to understand your rights and responsibilities under the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO). The RLTO establishes the rules around key areas such as security deposits, evictions, repairs, and more. Failure to comply with the RLTO can result in legal trouble, fines, and damage to your business. This blog post will overview some of the most important provisions in the RLTO for...

The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) administers the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program in Chicago. The Section 8 program provides rental assistance to low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford housing in the private market. To apply for a Section 8 voucher, you must first join the CHA's waiting list. Here are the steps to join the Section 8 waiting list in Chicago:Meet the eligibility requirements....

1. What is Section 8 Housing?Section 8 is a government housing program that provides rental assistance to low-income individuals and families.2. How do I apply for Section 8 Housing in Chicago?To apply for Section 8 in Chicago, you must go online to the Chicago Housing Authority’s website and fill out an application to be placed on the waitlist. 3. What are the eligibility requirements for Section 8 in Chicago?To be eligible ...

While a Section 8 tenant resides in the unit, Housing Authorities will perform inspections to make sure that Housing Quality Standards (HQS) are being upheld. Inspections can be scheduled annually if there are children under 6 years old residing in the unit, or bi-annually if not. Once the first inspection has been conducted, landlords have between 21 and 30 calendar days  to correct issues and pass the second inspection. If t...

For many landlords participating in the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV), requesting a rent increase can seem like a complicated process. In reality, the process is quite simple as long as you know what needs to be done. In this post, we will explain all you need to know to successfully submit a rent increase with your local Housing Authority. To request a rent increase with Section 8, you must consider the following: ...

As a Landlord, you know that there are an abundance of laws and regulations that you have to follow. One of the most important laws that you need to be aware of is the Illinois Human Rights Act (IHRA). The IHRA prohibits discrimination in housing based on a number of factors. These factors include race, color, religion, national origin, sex, familial status, and disability. As of January 1, 2023, the IHRA also prohibits discrimination b...

We have compiled a list of several Section 8 Housing Authorities’ contact information, including office address, phone number, and email. Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) - https://www.thecha.orgCentral Office60 E. Van Buren Street, Chicago, IL, 60605HCV/Section 8 West Office1852 S. Albany Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60623HCV/Section 8 South Office3617 S. State Street, Chicago, IL, 60609Customer Call Center: 312-935-2600 or hcv@thech...

So, you've approved a Section 8 tenant, and now it's time to go through the move-in process. Don't worry, it's not as complicated as it may seem at first. We will break down the process step by step.The first thing you need to do is fill out the Request for Tenancy Approval paperwork. The Section 8 participant will provide you with a copy of their moving papers, which are divided into two sections. The first one collects...

In 2022 alone, more than 439,596 homes were sold globally. With that being said, one thing that likely set some homes apart from others was that the people selling the house took the time to stage it properly.Several benefits come from staging a home, which is why we've taken the time to create a list of home staging tips that we think you'll find useful as you continue the home-selling process.1. Perform Property MaintenanceBef...