Evicting a tenant

[Mark Malevskis]

Hello all, 

Wanted to get your feedback.

Our company has recently purchased a six unit apartment building in Dupage county of Illinois around middle of November 15. 

We are having issues with one of the tenants. For December, their rent was due on the 1st. They paid on the 14th of December. 

For January, they have not paid. 

5 day notice was given on the 19th and on the 25th we filled the eviction with the courthouse. 

Their lease is set to expire on 1/31/16. Over a text message I have informed them that lease won't be renewed on the 19th. 

While speaking and telling him to pay rent, all of the sudden he started explaining to me that he was waiting for the lease to be renewed and then he was going to pay rent. 

I told him that we are not renewing the lease until he is current. Then he said he wasn't going to pay since the maintenance was not done on this unit to his satisfaction ... Of course it's all ******** and they are just looking for excuses not to pay. 

I don't think they are leaving on Feb 1st once the lease is up. My eviction hearing at the court is schedule for Feb 18th. What should I look out for and keep in mind going into that hearing?

Any input will be helpful,

Thank you all!

[Jeff B.]

I always take pictures of every room when the tenant takes possession.  Also note the condition of the unit, room by room, on the move-in check list.

These are your primary defense EVIDENCE exhibits to be presented in court to counter the tenants claim(s) of non-habitable condition.