new landlord, tenants overdue and no lease

[Jay Garrison]

Hi,

I just bought my first place a two flat with a garden unit in Chicago. The first floor is empty, but the second floor tenants haven't paid yet for April. I didn't find this out until the closing. The basement tenants have "moved out" but they still have some of their stuff their, and a car in the garage. The basement tenants have paid for several months, that is why they are moving out.

Suggestions? The previous owner was kindly and easy going, hadn't had a policy about late payments, and the tenants obviously took advantage. I would like to give the basement tenants a contract that says they have till the end of the month to get their stuff, or else it goes out. I would like to put the upstairs tenants on a lease with late fee terms and give them 3 days to get their April rent together. I will change the locks in the basement and garage so the basement tenants cannot just come and go as they please. How does that sound?

[Thomas S.]

I agree with @Anthony Wick serve notice and get rid of them. Allowing your tenants 3 days to pay rent when they are already 2 weeks late is setting a very bad precedent. You are heading down the same kindly, easy going hobby landlord path as the last landlord.

If they on M2M terminate them with notice.

It's past time you sat down and learned your state landlord tenant regulations. Dealing with any tenant without first studying and understanding the law is going to have you in court very quickly. Do not communicate with your tennats until you know your rights and theirs.