Speaking of rules, I just renovated this with porcelain tile floors throughout, new kitchen cabinets, granite counters, LED lighting.

That got tedious and really convoluted particularly if you have a grace period and you have to ration do you retro calculate back over the grace period as days late or not...it led to unnecessary tenant arguments.I now charge a flat $50, no grace period, and I have a similar fee ($35) for any NSF payments (I specifically note in the agreement that a NSF payment will undoubtedly create a late fee so it is clear it's VERY COSTLY to write me a bad check).I make one caveat with my tenants; if they mail the rent to me, as long as it is postmarked before the 1st day of the month, even if it arrives late, I will not charge them a late fee.I have collected one late fee on five properties since I have implemented that policy, and I'm much happier to have my calculated rent on time for my bills than to make an "extra" $15-50 every so often because my tenants can't get it together.

The situation apparently isn't as cut & dried as I was led to believe initially and there's a good chance my friend will follow up with a lawyer.As of today, the landlord did provide a refund of approximately 75% of the security deposit, but it didn't arrive until 22 days after the move-out date. 

Like for example, there are huge penalties in the city with regards to security deposits that have led to landlords taking non-refundable move-in fees instead of security deposits.Lastly, since it appears that this is your first rental property, please know that as of fairly recently, in Cook County landlords can no longer discriminate against Section 8 aka housing voucher tenants.

Originally posted by @Nick L.:@Ed

Just to add to some of the excellent points that have already been made (AC, grow OP, Etc) you might want to go with LED lighting throughout the home if you are going to continue to pay the utilities and as @Colleen F. said get a digital thermostat that you can set minimum and maximum temperatures on.

Compact fluorescent bulbs are better, but they are not as good as the best solution- LED bulbs. 

A handy cap  that most likely led to the mess the property is in.

I would imagine that it would find the DUI and factor that into the results, but I'm not positive.However, you will get to see all of the info that led to the recommendation and make a decision on your own.

They didn't like their current place because it was much smaller than they were led to believe from pics (they had rented sight unseen from out of state).