If the tenant loses the court hearing, the sheriff would then be ordered to physically evict a tenant and remove the property in the unit. Only the sheriff, not the landlord, can physically remove a tenant who does not comply with an eviction notice and only after an unlawful detainer lawsuit has been filed. Liability for attorneys fees. In an eviction dispute, the successful party is entitled to recoup costs and attorney fees. Various penalties exist for violating these protections.
Retaliatory evictions are also illegal.
A landlord may not terminate a tenancy or increase rent or change other terms of the rental agreement to retaliate against a tenant who asserts his or her rights under the Landlord-Tenant Act or reports violations of housing codes or ordinances. The landlord and tenant may agree to arbitration, asking a neutral party to settle the dispute. The process is usually quick and inexpensive, with the administrative fee shared equally unless otherwise allocated by the arbitrator. Landlord-tenant problems can also be resolved through informal mediation. In mediation, a third person intervenes between two disputing parties in an effort to reach an agreement, compromise or reconciliation.