State Specific Question About: ILLINOIS (IL)

Hello, our tenant in Chicago, IL for the past 20 years was hospitalized with Covid for the last 30 days and ended up passing away a few days ago while at the hospital. We knew him pretty well so he was not just a tenant. Unfortunately he had no next of kin or family here in the US. He only spoke to one of his nieces periodically that lived overseas. We were able to find her and contact her and also provide her info to the hospital however she did not want to make any medical decisions nor taking any responsibility for his body once he passed. My question is, since he did not die in the house he rented when and he did not have any family here at all, when are we able to go into his house and start the process of removing (and throwing out) the items? He did not have too many items as we already had the house furnished with couches and a dining room table for him when he first moved in 20 years ago.

Thank you

Angelo

Our condolences about your friend/tenant.

Just take plenty of pictures as you walk in the unit and detailed log of everything. Protect yourself from anyone coming out of the woodwork looking for the incredibly valuable items he had "left to them".

I am sorry for your loss and the potential nightmare you may encounter over this tragedy.

It sounds like he has died "intestate", meaning he has no last will and testament to divide up his estate. Most likely, your state has laws for property abandonment, which will apply in this case. Google search for "Illinois land lord tenant abandonment" and see what you can find out. If all else fails, a quick call to a local, experienced, landlord/tenant attorney should yield a quick answer. Even if they charge you $50 for a 10 minute phone call, how much rent are you losing each day by sitting on this vacancy?

You could ask the niece if she wanted a small box of photos shipped to her at her cost. If the answer is no, then you have cleared the first step in your path.

There is an official way of tackling this and an informal way of dealing with this. Without family near by and being almost totally estranged, you might be able to take the easier path.

Angelo,

People die everyday. Most of them lived in a home. many without a will.

A resident passing is a common, everyday event in property management.

A proper lease covers this event.

My lease is clear: We require 4 Emergency Contacts per adult with one of those listed with permission to remove personal items in case of death, incapacitation, or incarceration.

Unfortunately you can be sued for improperly handling their personal items. We contact that person.

Me? Move forward with businesslike compassion. Realize every day that passes is lost rent out of YOUR pocket. Since you don't have permission I would

-take TONS of photos as evidence

-toss perishables (food)

-bag/box any items of value and move them to storage

-begin turnover cleaning and repair.

-Post notice on the door with your number for family members to contact regarding his personal items.

-post an ad in the LEGAL section of the newspaper for any related person to come forward

-hold for the time period required by your laws. Indiana is 90 days.

-THEN you can sell, donate, or toss it

BRAD

Go ahead and pack up all of his things and move them into a storage unit. Let the relative know that she can pick up his things and that you'll only hold it for 6 months in that storage unit. After that, they'll be sold at auction. Put it in writing to show as evidence of notification. I'd also send a copy of a lease cancellation and ask her to sign and return too.

Doesn't sound like you'll be paid by the estate for any rent due, or the heir is in much of a hurry. I'd get his stuff out to save on future unpaid rent.

I love all my friends here. “Asking for forgiveness” is a cute phrase but does not work in court. The prosecutor will eat you for lunch.

Thank you everyone for the replies. I really appreciate them.

Would he happen to have a Facebook page? If so, maybe you could find any possibly family through there or post that you are trying to locate his family, without details.

Otherwise I think I would send a letter to him at your rental address to see if anyone is picking up his mail, that his items will be donated to charity or put in a storage unit in his name in 30 days, if no one steps forward. Take lots of photos and maybe look at his own photos if he has any that may be labeled as family. Would his employer know anything, if he is still working. I don't know how old he is. Would the cousin have a living parent that would be his sibling?