Although commercial and residential leases are similar in structure, the protections surrounding commercial tenants can be limited under the law. One major protection awarded to residential tenants in Illinois is the Security Deposit Return Act. 765 ILCS 710/0.01 et...
commercial and residential land use and zoning
Negative and affirmative easements: A primer
Generally, an easement is a right of one person to use a portion of land owned by another person (an “affirmative easement”), or to limit the use of a section of land (a “negative easement”). The person or land who benefits from the use of the easement is known as the...
What property owners must know before requesting a variance
Zoning is a critical aspect of land-use planning that all property owners must adhere to. “Zoning” refers not only to the types of improvements that may be built and activities that may be conducted in certain districts but also matters such as setback, height and lot...
What should I do before installing a fence?
Fencing around your home is a must for security and privacy. Installing a new fence might seem like a good option, but it can also call up zoning issues and neighbor disputes if you're not careful. In this case, HouseLogic.com recommends the following tips to ensure...
Sometimes zoning ordinances, processes need to be challenged
The idea of zoning has grown commensurate with the expansion of towns and cities in Illinois and nationally, with zoning laws already having been enacted in some American municipalities more than a century ago. The vast Chicago metro has of course employed zoning...
Are you making the best use of association fees?
As more and more people are looking to forge a connection with those surrounding them, neighborhoods with Home Owner Associations (HOAs) have become more popular. But it's no easy task to be on the board that organizes neighborhood events, upkeeps recreational...
What is the purpose of zoning?
You may hear a lot about zoning in Illinois. Sometimes zoning issues are a hot topic at community meetings or government events. The idea of zoning, according to the Geneva, Illinois, website is to provide you with the best possible community. It helps to create a...