Chicago Property Management Blog

If you own rental property in DuPage County, Section 8 applicants are part of your tenant pool whether you planned for it or not. Illinois protects source of income, which means you can't turn someone away just because they have a housing voucher. The good news? Figuring out what the housing authority will actually pay you is far more straightforward than dealing with the Chicago Housing Authority. The bad news? Most landlords still...

If you own rental property in suburban Cook County, Section 8 applicants are part of your tenant pool whether you planned for it or not. Illinois protects source of income, which means you can't turn someone away just because they have a housing voucher. The good news? The Housing Authority of Cook County (HACC) has actually made some recent changes that take a lot of the guesswork out of the process. The bad news? Most landlords st...

Chicago is on the verge of a housing game-changer: Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs), think coach houses, basement apartments, and attic units, are expanding from a limited pilot to citywide allowance. After decades of outright bans on these “granny flats” and in-law suites, the City Council has given the green light to ADUs across much more of Chicago, with a new ordinance set to take effect on April 1, 2026. This shift means...

We’re grateful to share an important milestone with you. PropertyManagement.com has released its inaugural Top 100 Property Managers in the United States, and GC Realty & Development has been named to this national list. For our team, this recognition is meaningful not only because it reflects years of disciplined work, but also because it comes from an independent, third-party platform that evaluates property manage...

Illinois landlords are entering another compliance shift in 2026, and this one is operational. These changes are not philosophical, political, or optional. They directly affect lease assembly, eviction filings, property security, and ownership protection.The landlords who run into problems will not be the ones who “didn’t know.” They will be the ones still using outdated templates, inconsistent workflows, or untrained ...

I’ll be honest, this isn’t a topic that comes up often in investor conversations, podcasts, or property management strategy sessions. I’m Mark Ainley. I own a property management company here in Chicago, I’m an investor myself, and I co-host the Straight Up Chicago Investor Podcast. We spend a lot of time talking about rent, vacancies, and protecting returns. Composting almost never makes the list. But if you&rsq...

If you’re looking to grow your rental property portfolio in Chicago, expanding can be a great way to boost your rental income and build long-term wealth. But managing multiple properties isn’t as simple as owning one; it comes with unique challenges that require careful planning, smart strategies, and attention to detail. Whether you’re a seasoned real estate investor or just starting to grow your holdings, unders...

This Illinois program has taken off with Illinois Landlords but there are changes you need to know about.  Below breaks down what is new and what to do if you have never even heard of this program yet.  When rent goes unpaid and eviction notices are posted, landlords often feel trapped between enforcing lease agreements and sympathizing with tenants facing hardship. Court is expensive, time‑consuming and emotionally draining...

Old Town is Chicago’s historic neighborhood with a modern edge, known for its Victorian architecture, boutique shopping, and vibrant Wells Street corridor. Renters are drawn to the area for its unique blend of charm and convenience, quiet residential streets sit just steps away from nightlife, dining, and easy access to downtown. Unlike purely luxury districts, Old Town’s rental demand is concentrated in normal condos, one�...

Pull up a chair, pour yourself a coffee, and let’s talk landlord to landlord (or future landlord) about something that’s about to shake up the way we write leases in Illinois. If you follow our discussions here at GC Realty & Development, you know we’re big on staying ahead of the curve. We’ve dug into the Cook County Residential Tenant Landlord Ordinance (RTLO), explored the Chicago Just Housing Amendment, a...