If it doesn't, google for "landlord tenant law" with the name of your city, county, or state.

My mother in law bought it at the sheriff's auction and we bought it from her.

Also, I have no idea what the laws/regulations are in your state, so if there is a local rule preventing anything more than 6%, then ignore me.

However, you MUST understand the rules and laws associated with these types of deals.

Notice is notice, even if they got the date wrong, you still won't be able to hold them responsible for days after the correct notice period per local laws.

Although I wouldn't have a clue about the local laws of Illinois, in my opinion, first of all, a "mechanic's lien" typically is filed by a vendor... for example, a garage mechanic files for an unpaid auto repair bill, or a lumberyard files for supplies delivered to a site but not paid for.

You mentioned we could be in the middle of 2 law suits, would this help protect us at all?

If your local laws call for a certain habitability standard, some maintenance is a given.

I know laws in NJ are very anti-land owners and eviction is costly and expensive from what I have been told.

I live in Norfolk, VA and the process takes 6-7 months and you have to go through a law firm that handles the properties for the city of Norfolk.