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 be able to tow my car without taking me to court or receiving eviction papers? I am located in Illinois.
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A: 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 should follow the established eviction process, which typically involves serving you with proper notice and, if necessary, filing an eviction lawsuit. Towing your car without following legal eviction procedures may constitute a "self-help" eviction, which is illegal in many jurisdictions, including Illinois. In such cases, you may have legal recourse against your landlord.
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