“Laura’s” husband, a career tradesman, knew just about everyone, meaning it came as no surprise when one of his client’s daughters became their landlord, offering them a beautiful house well under the market price.
Laura spent almost a year there before she received a 90-day notice from HUD stating her building was in pre-foreclosure. “The mortgage company said, ‘We want this, that, or the house,’ Lindsey said.
Unsure what to do and grieving her husband, who passed away only a few months prior, Lindsey contacted LCBH. Supervising Staff Attorney Aileen Flanagan quickly brought Lindsey up to speed on her rights as a tenant under the Keep Chicago Renting Ordinance (KCRO).
Under KCRO, the new owner of a rental property must either offer a new lease as the result of a good-faith negotiation or pay relocation assistance of $10,600 to the tenant.
“She gave good directions. She explained every step. When you reach that point in a situation, you don’t have time to mess around, and she didn’t,” Laura said.
Aileen negotiated payment of KCRO funds and prevented a reduction in her relocation assistance for the bank’s improper rent claim.
Now, Lindsey lives in a new home she loves as much as her previous one with a rent she can comfortably afford.
“It wasn’t my fault my house went into foreclosure, but I didn’t feel like I had any options. Ms. Flanagan gave me the option to move forward,” Laura said. “Believe me when I tell you one phone call can change your life.”