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Written by Lauren Peddinghaus

Category: What We're Thinking About Lately...

Created: 20 March 2019

Handling a foreclosure in your condominium association can be confusing, and the process can drag on. If you are not collecting assessments from the condo owner while the foreclosure plays out, you should first understand what you need to do to protect any delinquent amounts and when you can expect to be paid post-foreclosure.

A foreclosure concludes with the judicial sale, when the property is auctioned. At this point, the property may be purchased by a third party or revert to the bank. Whichever entity takes ownership, they will be responsible for paying assessments as of the 1st of the month following the judicial sale date.

The lien on the unit is not extinguished until the bank or third party begins paying assessments. If the assessments are not paid promptly following the confirmation of the judicial sale (usually 1-2 months after the judicial sale date), the association may have a right to collect all of the assessments unpaid by the prior owner.

The association will recover delinquent amounts from the prior owner per statute from the third party or from the purchaser of the unit when the bank re-sells the property.

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Written by Lauren Peddinghaus

Category: What We're Thinking About Lately...

Created: 13 March 2019

When a condo owner goes into foreclosure, it is imperative that board review the owner's account for delinquencies and take the proper action to preserve any unpaid balances owed to the association.

If an owner has not been paying assessments throughout the foreclosure and the association does not take any legal action during that time, the lien against the unit for unpaid amounts will be extinguished by the foreclosure action and the association will not have any recourse to collect against the owner. 

Thanks to Section 9(g)(4) of the Illinois Condominium Property Act, however, an association has the right to collect 6 months of assessments unpaid by the owner if they have taken legal collection action. In June 2018, in Sylvia, LLC v. Baldwin Court Condominium Association, the Court clarified that filing a lien against the unit is sufficient to satisfy the legal action required by Section 9(g)(4) and preserve the right of the association to collect 6 months of unpaid assessments.

The unpaid assessments are paid either by a third party who purchases the unit at the judicial sale or by the purchaser who purchases the unit from the bank following the foreclosure.

There are other collection options that allow the association to collect all of the amounts due from the delinquent owner even if the unit is foreclosed. The route your association should take depends on a number of factors. If you need help with collection issues, contact Haus Financial Services for more information.

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Written by Alexa Jackson

Category: What We're Thinking About Lately...

Created: 06 March 2019

Joe Moore has teamed up with Cook County Commissioner Larry Suffredin to offer a convenient opportunity to learn how to appeal your property tax assessment and possibly lower your tax bill.

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Written by Lauren Peddinghaus

Category: What We're Thinking About Lately...

Created: 22 February 2019

Cook County Property Tax-Relief Program for Senior Citizens Seniors whose annual household income is $55,000 or less can apply to the Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Deferral Program for loans to cover property tax payments. The State of Illinois issues the loans, which do not have to be repaid until the property is sold or the homeowner dies. An interest rate of 6 percent per year is charged by the state. The maximum loan is $5,000 per year. To qualify, homeowners must be at least 65 years old by June 1 of the year in which the application is made.

To apply:

• Download the application from cookcountytreasurer.com
• Submit the completed application and copies of the required documents to the Treasurer’s Office
• The deadline is March 1, 2019. Applications after that date cannot be accepted
• Homeowners must reapply every year

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Written by George Relias, Relias Law Group, Ltd.

Category: What We're Thinking About Lately...

Created: 07 February 2019

Post Sposored by Relias Law Group, Ltd.
150 S. Wacker Drive, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60606
(312) 428-3016 Office

With the Super Bowl behind us, many now are focusing on 2019 in earnest. So too with real estate tax assessments. February will usher in the beginning of a new assessment era as the old guard, Joseph Berrios, was ousted from the assessing office last year.

Fritz Kaegi, the newly elected assessor, will begin issuing 2019 assessments for Rogers Park (2/15/19), Riverside (2/5/19), River Forest (2/6/19) and Norwood Park (2/22/19) townships later this month. Filing deadlines are about 30 days from the date appeals open.

Generally, only townships that are being re-assessed as part of the Triennial Reassessment will receive increases and thus merit assessment review and possible appeal action. However, this year may be different. Assessors can reassess properties at any time. In fact, Mr. Kaegi has shown admiration for jurisdictions who assess on an annual basis like New York. Consequently, properties that historically would not be reassessed could be reassessed in 2019.

Furthermore, with the new assessor in office, a new approach to valuation may open the door for additional assessment relief. Given the strength of the current real estate market, new evidence may be available to support appeals that were not available in 2017 or 2018. In short, property owners and condo associations should consider assessment appeals in 2019 even if the property is not reassessed this year.

Please contact George Relias at (312) 428-3021 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to discuss your potential tax reduction.