There is a lot of trust that landlords put into tenants to pay their rent. However, it is not uncommon that tenants fall behind on their payments, which can result in a myriad of problems for both the tenant and the landlords. This is an issue that is better to keep ahead of, rather than waiting until it’s too late. Rental Assistance programs can be just as beneficial for landlords as they are for the tenants. No one prefers to be in a situation where contractual obligations aren’t being upheld, however, this is an unfortunate reality for many landlords.
There are a multitude of options when it comes to tenants that might need some assistance with their rental payments and these programs can vary depending on the county that your property resides in. Most counties and some municipalities have their own programs that are similar in that they also provide funds to the landlords of tenants facing hardships. These include Chicago’s Rental Assistance Program (RAP), Lake County eviction prevention program, DuPage County Emergency Rental Assistance, and Will County’s rental assistance program through the county land use department.
While seeking rental assistance can be cumbersome, it can be worth it in many cases. There are several documents that are required to complete this process for landlords including proof of ownership, proof of unpaid rent, current signed lease, government I.D., property management agreement, eviction court complaint, and a valid email address of the tenant. This process of obtaining rental assistance can be initiated by either the landlord or the tenant, when both parties submit the required information, they will be considered “matched”. Lastly, you will need all the required documents in order to successfully submit the application, so it’s important to review exactly what is required of you before initiating that application.
One of the more expansive programs is the Court Based Rental Assistance Program (CBRAP) which is offered by the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) and available in all Illinois counties. CBRAP is available to landlords who have initiated an eviction proceeding in court against a tenant. This program can provide up to $15,000 for emergency rental payments for past due rent and up to (2) months’ future rent, as well as up to $500 for court costs (but no attorney’s fees). The amount of money that tenants are eligible to receive will be dependent on certain variables, including household income. One of the downsides to CBRAP is that the landlord must agree in the application to dismiss the suit with prejudice, meaning that any rent not covered by the assistance will be waived.
At Costello Sury & Rooney, our attorneys have experience thoroughly evaluating rental assistance issues and advising landlords as to their best options moving forward. With the variety of available assistance programs out there, having a legal team with a presence in various counties that you may have rental properties is important. Please contact us at admin@csrlawfirm.com with any questions you may have.
This article is being provided for informational purposes only. This article does not constitute legal advice on the part of Costello Sury & Rooney. or any of its attorneys. No association, board member or any other individual or entity should rely on this article as a basis for any action or actions. If you would like legal advice regarding any of the topics discussed in this article and/or recommended procedures for your association going forward, please contact our office.