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Illinois Landlord - Tenant Questions & Answers
1 Answer | Asked in Civil Rights, Employment Law and Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: Even if it’s illegal to live at a commercial business can you be secretly recorded if you stay in a room turned bedroom?

An acquaintance has offered for me to stay at his business while I also work for him. There is a room that’s been my place of dwelling for the past couple of months. He gave me an opportunity to stay there instead of doing hotels everyday because it’s closer for me from the workplace and to... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 18, 2024

Living in a commercial space can present unique challenges, especially when it comes to privacy. It's important to know that regardless of the legality of your living situation, your right to a reasonable expectation of privacy in areas considered private, such as a living space or bedroom,... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Domestic Violence for Illinois on
Q: Is it possible to get my security deposit back as a victim of domestic violence?

The landlord refused to give me my security deposit back because they say it “stays with the property”. My abusive ex has decided to stay there. I wanted to move for safety reasons. I was the one who solely placed the deposit before we moved in. That’s my money. Why couldn’t they refund my... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Mar 6, 2024

In situations involving domestic violence, some jurisdictions have laws that provide specific protections for victims, including matters related to housing and security deposits. If you had to move out for safety reasons due to domestic violence, there might be legal provisions that allow you to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant, Military Law and Small Claims for Illinois on
Q: Roommate in the military left without paying rent owned and left property in the room. How should we take legal action?

There is a someone who rented with us but blocked our contact after not fully moving out to avoid payment.

This person is in the army but we do not know the base contact. What would be the best way to approach getting

the money back? I'm not sure if going straight to small... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Feb 25, 2024

In Illinois, if a roommate in the military has left without paying rent and left their belongings behind, one of the first steps you can take is to send a formal demand letter for the unpaid rent. This letter should detail the amount owed, the agreement under which it is owed, and a deadline for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: Is it legal for my landlord to have my car towed from the complex? I am behind on rent and planning to move. CHI, IL

I have been living here for the past four years and recently fell behind on rent, and my landlord wants me to move out and I agreed to move out and I am just packing up my things slowly, but still live in the unit. I went outside at 3:30 AM and realized that my car was towed, is it legal for him to... View More

T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Jan 12, 2024

In Illinois, landlords generally do not have the legal authority to tow a tenant's car directly without following proper legal procedures. Evictions and related actions must be conducted through the court system. If you're behind on rent and your landlord wants you to move out, they... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: Hello, my landlord has kicked me out without 30 day noticed and even threatened to kill me.

She has costed me loads of money by doing that, holding everything hostage, even costing me money I could be earning right now as I'm homeless and having to make appointments to find a place to live right now. I am completely broke right now and because of all the damage she has caused me even... View More

James L. Arrasmith
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answered on Dec 1, 2023

In Illinois, landlords are required to provide tenants with a proper notice before eviction, typically a 30-day notice for month-to-month tenancies. If your landlord evicted you without this notice and threatened you, this is a serious matter. Your landlord’s actions appear to violate tenant... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: Can my landlord make tenants pay water, sewer and trash not listed in lease to an independent utility company?
T. Augustus Claus
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answered on Sep 1, 2023

In Illinois, a landlord typically cannot make tenants pay for water, sewer, and trash services that are not explicitly outlined in the lease agreement. Lease agreements govern the rights and responsibilities of both parties, and any changes to these terms usually require mutual agreement. If a... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Consumer Law, Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: Can we ask the Court for a Default judgement against 2 of 3 served defendants at this time?

I have invested countless hours researching facts, law, and evidence, and ultimately we filed an 88 page, 11 count complaint in the McLean County IL Circuit Court pro-se, asking for at least $144,000 in damages against three defendants. This was filed on July 3, with the corporation's... View More

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Aug 16, 2023

Probably. Depending on the wording of your complaint (your attachment won't go through this system) it's possible you'll be limited to a default judgment as to liability and still need a hearing at which you prove your damages and each defendant has an opportunity to try to disprove... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: Landlord question (In Illinois) Should tenants be required to have renters insurance? Any benefit to the landlord?
Gary S. Weiss
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answered on Aug 12, 2023

Illinois law allows a landlord to require a prospective tenant to have renter's insurance, which by the way is for your benefit because it will cover any loss you incur for the contents of your rented space for covered losses stated in your contract of insurance such as fire or theft and is... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: Can a renter in Illinois claim property from the land lord after living there for twenty years?

If a renter occupies the property for twenty years can they claim the property through squatter rights. Would attending the condo association meetings, and paying fees be enough. Are there any other actions the renter would need to take to get the property?

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Jun 29, 2023

If you are a renter you are a permissive user. In other words, the owner of the property has given you permission to occupy it. Permissive use NEVER ripens into a situation allowing you to claim adverse possession (what you refer to as squatter rights). The only action you can take to get the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: A Realtor moved my pregnant girlfriend and I into an apartment with a gas leak and mold and told me i was wrong about it

We were coughing up mucus and just not feeling healthy the whole time we were there. It was a back and forth hassle with everything and then they ended up saying I was wrong and didn’t know what I was talking about. We got out of the lease because the other apartment they tried to move us into... View More

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Jun 19, 2023

An Illinois attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. In terms of the personal injury aspect of your matter), you could reach out to attorneys to discuss. However, some firms are reluctant to handle mold cases - the symptoms and correlations to an incident can be... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Civil Litigation and Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: Do I have the right to change the locks or deny access to the house for items?

My long term girlfriend 3 1/2 years moved out after cheating and moving in with a married couple around 2 hours away. Everything in the home including title work, hills, etc is all in my name. She does get some mail and bills of her own at the address. After a long period of lying and deception,... View More

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Apr 17, 2023

While you have no right to keep her personal property, you have the right to impose reasonable conditions on how she gets it back. That includes requiring the items be recovered while you are present. If your assessment of her as a liar is accurate, be sure you have a friend with you when she is in... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Real Estate Law and Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: I'm buying my home contact for deed. I've paid on it for almost 4 years. I'm behind on payments and the owner said he

Wants me out but I found out he has a mortgage on it and several other properties and he's going into foreclosure. Idk if he ever recorded it. Can I request to rescind and get my money back? Or is it pointless since he obviously has no money?

Peter J. Weinman
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answered on Mar 14, 2023

It may not be pointless just because he has no money - you need to find out whether there will be any remaining equity in the house after the mortgage lender (and any other lienholders ahead of you) are paid. But it could be pointless if being behind in your payments means you're in material... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: My Landlord is requiring my roommate and I to pay the outstanding balance left from a previous tenant. Is this legal?

They are stating we assumed liability once we signed the lease, but was never made aware that there was an outstanding balance on the apartment. Is it our responsibility to pay, or do the previous tenants have to pay?

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Feb 23, 2023

You don't owe rent for any time prior to the beginning of your lease. The sole exception would be if the terms of the lease explicitly state you are assuming liability for the rent left unpaid by a previous tenant -- something I've never heard of in a lease. If your landlord wants to... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: My landlord is trying to illegally evict me for calling a building inspector on him, what should I do?

I rent a upper apartment in a duplex from Chapman Properties and I have had issues with sewage backup flooding into my basement for over a month. It has caused damage to my personal property that I'm going to have to pay out of pocket to replace. I've had to pay out of pocket to do... View More

David Wolkowitz
David Wolkowitz
answered on Feb 16, 2023

The landlord can simply provide you notice that your month-to-month lease will not be continued for another month. That would not be an eviction. Evictions occur for violations of leases, such as not paying rent, destroying the property, disturbing other tenants. It seems like you should look for... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Contracts and Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: Hello I need your help, please a recommendation, or something My ex Renter doesn't wanna give back my deposit back

I moved from the house where I was renting and I had given a deposit of $1,100 and soon after I vacated the house I took out all my things.Handed the Owner His keys , The owner came and I asked him about my deposit and he said NO! That according to him, the Deposit is used and covers all the... View More

Dragan Ivetic
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answered on Feb 10, 2023

The answer will depend on the terms of the lease agreement that you had, which we do not know. However it is typical that a security deposit may be used to cover repairs to the property after you move out that are needed to restore the property to rent to another person. The lack of repairs... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: In Illinois do you have to give a roommate notice of someone moving in?

Me and my girlfriend split up about a year ago. She still lives in my house that I own. I've been seeing somebody for 6 months and we both want to live together. Problem is my ex-girlfriend still lives there and she refuses to leave. Do I have to give her notice of someone moving in? Because... View More

James G. Ahlberg
James G. Ahlberg
answered on Jan 27, 2023

From a legal perspective, if it's your house you don't need to give your ex notice that someone else is moving in. On the other hand, I'm guessing your new girlfriend and you will lead a much more peaceful life if you evict the ex-girlfriend before moving the new girlfriend into the... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Business Law and Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: Is it legal for my business landlord to ask for financials 3 years into a lease?

Lease and rent are current and up to date.

Demitrus Thomas Evans
Demitrus Thomas Evans
answered on Jan 23, 2023

This seemingly is a landlord-tenant issue. However, as a practical matter for business, if you have already signed a lease and been in it for 3 years, this appears to be out of their right to request.

However, I can see it making sense in two scenarios: if you have fallen behind and there...
View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant and Personal Injury for Illinois on
Q: There was a bad leak that caused mold nothing was done for 3 years now my rent is raised and my family is sick all the

Landlord wouldn't do any repairs for years and there was a leak and mold every where my son is always sick and now that she fixed it she raised the rent from 925 to 1200 what can I do I do not want to sign a new lease

Tim Akpinar
Tim Akpinar
answered on Dec 23, 2022

An Illinois attorney could advise best, but your question remains open for two weeks. I'm sorry for your family's ordeal. For the personal injury aspects of your question, reach out to local attorneys to try to arrange a free initial consult. Unfortunately, not all injury law firms handle... View More

1 Answer | Asked in Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: When it can become a legal issue when a neighbor gives her negative opinions about me to other neighbors

A lady neighbor at my complex complains about me to other neighbors. How I know is I dated her friend that told me " I'm weird". I've done nothing but chat with her. A therapist I told about the lady. He thinks she is unfriendly. There is a couple of ladies that are friendly to... View More

John Michael Frick
John Michael Frick
answered on Sep 8, 2023

Usually it becomes legally actionable when it crosses the line from opinion to a false disparaging factual statement that causes actual harm to your reputation.

1 Answer | Asked in Personal Injury and Landlord - Tenant for Illinois on
Q: Is it possible to sue a university for making their students live in uninhabitable conditions?

I'm enrolling into a college where they have a large first-year enrollment rate. Because of this, a lot of students (mainly freshmen) are pushed to live in a specific dorm hall that's farthest away from the entire campus. For the past few years, this hall has gained a NOTORIOUS reputation... View More

Charles Candiano
Charles Candiano
answered on Aug 19, 2023

You can't sue anyone for something that hasn't happened yet. You are choosing to enroll in the school. By doing so you are choosing to live where you are assigned. On your facts, you haven't even seen the dorm yet. Your concerns are based solely on gossip. Dorms are often... View More

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