HB1797 95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

LRB095 07947 AJO 28109 b

95TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY
State of Illinois
2007 and 2008
HB1797

Introduced 2/23/2007, by Rep. Harry Osterman

SYNOPSIS AS INTRODUCED:

765 ILCS 605/30

from Ch. 30, par. 330

Amends the Condominium Property Act. Provides as to a conversion condominium that a tenant who vacated a unit in a building within 18 months of the real estate becoming a conversion condominium and who did not receive a notice of intent to submit the real estate to the Act must be awarded damages of $10,000 plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs. Provides that a non-profit housing organization suing for an aggrieved party may also recover compensation for diversion of mission necessary for filing the action.

A BILL FOR

AN ACT concerning property.

Be it enacted by the People of the State of Illinois, represented in the General Assembly:

Section 5. The Condominium Property Act is amended by changing Section 30 as follows:

(765 ILCS 605/30) (from Ch. 30, par. 330)

Sec. 30. Conversion condominiums; notice; recording.

(a) No real estate may be submitted to the provisions of the Act as a conversion condominium unless (i) a notice of intent to submit the real estate to this Act (notice of intent) has been given to all persons who were tenants of the building located on the real estate on the date the notice is given. Such notice shall be given at least 30 days, and not more than 1 year prior to the recording of the declaration which submits the real estate to this Act; and (ii) the developer executes and acknowledges a certificate which shall be attached to and made a part of the declaration and which provides that the developer, prior to the execution by him or his agent of any agreement for the sale of a unit, has given a copy of the notice of intent to all persons who were tenants of the building located on the real estate on the date the notice of intent was given. Any tenant who vacated a unit in a building on real estate that became a conversion condominium within 18 months before the real estate is submitted to the provisions of this Act or before the developer or his or her agent executed any agreement for the sale of a unit, without receiving a notice of intent defined in this Section, shall be awarded damages of $10,000 plus reasonable attorney's fees and costs. A non-profit housing organization, suing on behalf of an aggrieved party, may also recover compensation for diversion of mission necessary for filing the action.

Any developer of a conversion condominium must, upon issuing the notice of intent, publish and deliver along with such notice of intent, a schedule of selling prices for all units subject to the condominium instruments and offer to sell such unit to the current tenants, except for units to be vacated for rehabilitation subsequent to such notice of intent. Such offer shall not expire earlier than 30 days after receipt of the offer by the current tenant, unless the tenant notifies the developer in writing of his election not to purchase the condominium unit.

Any tenant who was a tenant as of the date of the notice of intent and whose tenancy expires (other than for cause) prior to the expiration of 120 days from the date on which a copy of the notice of intent was given to the tenant shall have the right to extend his tenancy on the same terms and conditions and for the same rental until the expiration of such 120 day period by the giving of written notice thereof to the developer within 30 days of the date upon which a copy of the notice of intent was given to the tenant by the developer.

Each lessee in a conversion condominium shall be informed by the developer at the time the notice of intent is given whether his tenancy will be renewed or terminated upon its expiration. If the tenancy is to be renewed, the tenant shall be informed of all charges, rental or otherwise, in connection with the new tenancy and the length of the term of occupancy proposed in conjunction therewith.

For a period of 120 days following his receipt of the notice of intent, any tenant who was a tenant on the date the notice of intent was given shall be given the right to purchase his unit on substantially the same terms and conditions as set forth in a duly executed contract to purchase the unit, which contract shall conspicuously disclose the existence of, and shall be subject to, the right of first refusal. The tenant may exercise the right of first refusal by giving notice thereof to the developer prior to the expiration of 30 days from the giving of notice by the developer to the tenant of the execution of the contract to purchase the unit. The tenant may exercise such right of first refusal within 30 days from the giving of notice by the developer of the execution of a contract to purchase the unit, notwithstanding the expiration of the 120 day period following the tenant's receipt of the notice of intent, if such contract was executed prior to the expiration of the 120 day period. The recording of the deed conveying the unit to the purchaser which contains a statement to the effect that the tenant of the unit either waived or failed to exercise the right of first refusal or option or had no right of first refusal or option with respect to the unit shall extinguish any legal or equitable right or interest to the possession or acquisition of the unit which the tenant may have or claim with respect to the unit arising out of the right of first refusal or option provided for in this Section. The foregoing provision shall not affect any claim which the tenant may have against the landlord for damages arising out of the right of first refusal provided for in this Section.

During the 30 day period after the giving of notice of an executed contract in which the tenant may exercise the right of first refusal, the developer shall grant to such tenant access to any portion of the building to inspect any of its features or systems and access to any reports, warranties, or other documents in the possession of the developer which reasonably pertain to the condition of the building. Such access shall be subject to reasonable limitations, including as to hours. The refusal of the developer to grant such access is a business offense punishable by a fine of $500. Each refusal to an individual lessee who is a potential purchaser is a separate violation.

Any notice provided for in this Section shall be deemed given when a written notice is delivered in person or mailed, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested to the party who is being given the notice.

Prior to their initial sale, units offered for sale in a conversion condominium and occupied by a tenant at the time of the offer shall be shown to prospective purchasers only a reasonable number of times and at appropriate hours. Units may only be shown to prospective purchasers during the last 90 days of any expiring tenancy.

Any provision in any lease or other rental agreement, or any termination of occupancy on account of condominium conversion, not authorized herein, or contrary to or waiving the foregoing provisions, shall be deemed to be void as against public policy.

Nothing in this Section shall affect any provision in any lease or rental agreement in effect before this Act becomes law.

(b) Nothing in this amendatory Act of 1978 shall be construed to imply that there was previously a requirement to record the notice provided for in subsection (a).

(Source: P.A. 88-417.)