Late on Rent during Corona Virus but working

[Blaine Kosek]

I have brand new tenants that moved in days before the Illinois quarantine started. They are both working from home but have made a comment about “not needing to pay rent.” I explained that rent is still due and the laws just last week when I was fixing a leak. Yesterday rent was due and my project manager sent them a reminder to pay. They didn’t. So now we are a day late. How do I proceed? Should the project manager send them Notice to Quit paperwork?

[Patricia Steiner]

One thing you now know for sure: they're not the smartest people you'll ever meet. I recommend sending them an email or delivering a letter to them that states that rent is due on the 1st. If they are unable to pay their rent due to loss of job, that under the emergency orders, they are required to notify the landlord of the need to suspend or lower payments for a specific period; they will also need to file for unemployment and housing assistance. Further "clarify" that rent has not been suspended by government order - just an abatement on evictions and that those who fail to pay rent for cause or not are still subject to repay it. Advise that failure to pay rent will result in eviction when the order is lifted and that the unpaid balance will be deducted from their security deposit as well as assigned to a collection agency. Point out that an eviction will become part of their credit history. 

If they then fail to pay, document that they were both employed, allowed to continue employment while working at home (your property), and issue a Notice To Quit.  You can then file for eviction when the order is lifted and kick these freeloaders to the curb.  What they are doing has a name:  Theft.