Common areas of a building

[Maya Jones]

Chicago Landlords,do you send notice to enter common areas? does the same rule as entering the unit apply? 
What if the tenant is using common areas to store personal stuff and pluggins appliances like mini fridges? 
how do you tell them nicely to vacate the area and stop using electrictiry from common area?

or do you just let it be? i don't have a special contract with nice addendum, its the standard Chicago one  

[Jarret Jarvis]

Hey Maya, great questions!

You technically don’t need to give notice to enter common areas since those aren’t part of the tenant’s leased premises, but it’s still best practice to give a heads-up if you’ll be doing something disruptive (repairs, inspections, etc.).

If tenants are using common spaces for personal storage or plugging in appliances, that’s definitely something you should address. You can send a polite written notice (email is fine) reminding them that the common areas are shared and not for private use or personal items. You can also mention that using electricity from those outlets isn’t permitted since it increases building utility costs.

Keep it simple and direct!