- 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
Collective Action
If you and other tenants of your building are experiencing a common problem, you will strengthen your voice by approaching the landlord as a united group. A landlord who has ignored complaints expressed by one tenant is likely to start paying attention when multiple tenants voice their concerns and present solutions.
Organizing a group of tenants takes hard work, but collective action might be the only way to remedy certain problems. If you decide to go this route, review the legal resources in Chapter 4: Professional Services, and the mediation services in Chapter 25: When Disputes Arise.
In addition, many nonprofit legal organizations might be able to assist you or at least provide direction. Again, see the resource section of Chapter 4: Professional Services for more information.