- Introduction
- Acknowledgements
- 1: Getting Ready
- 2: The Costs of Space
- 3: Understanding Credit
- 4: Professional Services
- 5: Finding Space
- 6: Residential Leases
- 7: Commercial and Industrial Leases
- 8: Buying Real Estate
- 9: Types of Mortgages
- 10: The Mortgage Application
- 11: Ownership Models
- 12: Purchasing Alternatives
- 13: Chicago Zoning Ordinance
- 14: Chicago Building Code
- 15: Chicago's Neighborhoods
- 16: Property Taxes
- 17: When You Find a Property
- 18: Inspections
- 19: After Moving In
- 20: Insurance
- 21: Utilities
- 22: Rehabbing Your Space
- 23: Safe and Healthy Spaces
- 24: Green Practice
- 25: When Disputes Arise
- 26: Space Emergencies
- 27: Facility Development Planning
- Bibliography
Property Improvements
If the landlord agreed to complete improvements before you moved in, have a list of these improvements, and dates of completion, noted in the lease or included as an attachment. Also make sure that guidelines for dealing with delays are addressed.
The landlord might argue that refurbishing the front entrance or other remodeling efforts contribute to the overall appeal of the building and benefit all tenants. Include a lease clause prohibiting the landlord from remodeling the building at the tenant’s expense, and limiting your responsibility for rehabbing.


