Chicago Condominium Law Attorneys

Navigating Condominium Law

There are a variety of complex laws and regulations that apply to condominiums, and these can be difficult to navigate. When condominium law issues arise, it is important to have experienced legal support on your side. With the help of a law firm that understands these laws, condominium associations, condo owners, and others who are involved in these matters can rest assured that they will be able to address their concerns, resolve disputes, and avoid legal issues in the future.

At the law firm of Dickler, Kahn, Slowikowski & Zavell, Ltd., we are dedicated to providing guidance and representation for clients who need to address condominium law matters. Our attorneys have comprehensive knowledge of the laws, regulations, and public policies that apply to condominiums in the Chicago area and throughout the state of Illinois. This knowledge and experience ensures that we can provide tailored solutions for each unique situation, as well as standard solutions for many areas where appropriate. We provide ongoing, reliable assistance and advice throughout the entire representation of a condominium, and our clients can rest assured that their interests are in safe hands.

Addressing Condominium Law Concerns in Arlington Heights

Homeowners will sometimes encounter confusion about the differences between a homeowner's association and a condominium association. While a homeowner's association will often be used in planned developments with single-family homes that are on individual lots, condominiums will typically be used in apartment buildings or locations where multiple dwellings are on a single property.

With a condominium, each individual member will own their own space, and ownership of common areas will be shared equally among owners. General common elements may include parts of a property that are shared by all residents, including interior spaces such as hallways, stairwells, and elevators, exterior parts of buildings such as roofs, or other features of a property, such as parking lots, walkways, lawns, pools, or common rooms. Some condominiums may also have limited common elements, such as patios, decks, and balconies shared by a few units.

The common areas of a property and other issues that may affect condo owners will be managed by a condominium association. Most of the time, a board of directors elected by the members of a condominium association will oversee various management issues and ensure that covenants, conditions, and restrictions (CC&Rs) are enforced. Our attorneys can assist with the explanation and application of covenants, as well as declaration, covenant, and by-law amendments. We can also ensure that the Condominium Property Act is applied correctly, and we can help condominium boards secure property tax reductions for units.

Condominium members and people who have been elected to a board of directors may need to address multiple types of legal concerns. Board members may need to take steps to establish the governing documents and ensure that they properly address issues related to occupancy and use of the property. They may need to address issues related to construction, maintenance, and repairs while ensuring the related expenses are shared among condominium members. They may also need to hire necessary personnel, such as a property management company, landscaping or snow removal services, or contractors to perform building maintenance. Our firm can assist with contract preparation and enforcement and contractor disputes. We can also help address labor and union issues, as well as matters related to governmental compliance, lender/mortgage compliance, and guidelines related to parking, pets, and service animals.

We can also assist condominium associations with collecting assessments (dues) and other fees, including fines, late charges, and attorney's fees or other costs related to addressing these issues through the legal system. We can also help associations understand their options for pursuing forcible/eviction actions to recover the amounts owed. This can be a fast and inexpensive method of collection that will give the association possession of the unit, allowing it to evict a nonpaying owner, rent the unit, and use the proceeds to pay off the amount owed. If necessary, we can also assist with liens and foreclosures, ensuring that an association understands its options and the obligations that will apply in these situations.

With the help of a skilled attorney, condominium associations can ensure that all legal issues are addressed correctly. If disputes arise among members or between the association and members or other parties, an attorney can determine the best options for resolving these matters. If necessary, a lawyer can provide legal representation during litigation related to evictions, foreclosures, tax assessments, or other types of legal matters. Our firm's attorneys can assist with reviewing contracts and amending and re-stating declarations. We can provide advice on limiting rentals in a condominium or townhome community, hearings, constructing and updating rules and regulations, annual membership meetings, and elections. We can also provide guidance in dealing with neighbor-to-neighbor disputes and situations dealing with noxious odors, such as marijuana smoke seeping into adjacent units.

Contact Our Chicago Condominium Law Attorneys

At Dickler, Kahn, Slowikowski & Zavell, Ltd., we are committed to providing legal help for condominium owners, condominium associations, and other parties involved in condominium matters, as well as other issues related to real estate. Our experienced attorneys have a comprehensive knowledge of condominium-related laws, and we can help address concerns, resolve disputes, draft and review legal documents, and handle other types of issues related to condominiums. Whether you need assistance creating governing documents or representation during litigation, our team is here to provide reliable support throughout every step of the process. Contact us today at 847-593-5595 if you would like more information about how we can help with your condominium law needs. We provide representation to clients throughout the state of Illinois, including Rockford, Winnebago County, McHenry County, Sangamon County, Boone County, Grundy County, Champaign County, Kankakee County, Will County, Rock Island County, and St. Clair County.