City of Code Code Violations

[Brandon Campbell]

I'm under contract to buy some distressed properties on the south side of chicago. Every property has a city of chicago municipal lien on them from violations from up to a year ago to many years ago. Our goal is once we buy these properties we will be looking to renovate them. Does anyone have any experience of getting liens released and not paying the fines or pay pennies on the dollar of the fines because they renovated the property made the properties in livable condition?

Secondly, does anyone have a point of contact that I can talk to with the city government to talk with them to let them know what my plans are and figure out a resolution for these code violations. I would assume they won't release any of the liens until the work is done on the property that mediates the condtion for them getting the liens in the first place, but I would feel alot more comfortable talking with somebody who understands I'm just buying the property and will do right by cleaning up these houses but don't want to get penalized for something that the previous buyers did.

Thank you in advance

[Crystal Smith]

Quote from @Brandon Campbell:

I'm under contract to buy some distressed properties on the south side of chicago. Every property has a city of chicago municipal lien on them from violations from up to a year ago to many years ago. Our goal is once we buy these properties we will be looking to renovate them. Does anyone have any experience of getting liens released and not paying the fines or pay pennies on the dollar of the fines because they renovated the property made the properties in livable condition?

Secondly, does anyone have a point of contact that I can talk to with the city government to talk with them to let them know what my plans are and figure out a resolution for these code violations. I would assume they won't release any of the liens until the work is done on the property that mediates the condtion for them getting the liens in the first place, but I would feel alot more comfortable talking with somebody who understands I'm just buying the property and will do right by cleaning up these houses but don't want to get penalized for something that the previous buyers did.

Thank you in advance

We have experience dealing with the city.  The bottom line is as follows:  The city is not going to negotiate with you on not paying fines or paying pennies on the dollar for fines.  That's not a thing.  You need to figure that into the cost of doing business and your offer to the seller. 

Regarding the code violations, you need to hire a contractor familiar with working with the city.  Potentially a self-certified architect.  Develop a scope of work with the contractor to include the code violations.  Get the appropriate permits and have an attorney ready to go to court to get the liens released once the work is complete and approved.  There are no shortcuts. 

If there's a demo order on the building then you should submit your approved renovation plan to the court to delay the demo.