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I’d try the Illinois tenant union first, they will read your lease for free and tell you your rights
Don’t most of those items (blinds esp) fall under normal wear and tear?
Admittedly: I have not read past that 😆
Chicago does favor the tenants so I think you'll be ok OP. Things like blinds cleaning and painting, especially since you lived there for 3 years, should fall under regular wear and tear and landlord should cover it. He probably knows but is trying to get it paid for by you. Things like broken window, even if not your fault, will unfortunately be hard for you to argue especially if you didn't raise it immediately. Timing is everything on things like that (likewise, he'll be deaf to your construction noise, pool, too cold arguments). Also, but please double check this, I think a landlord can only charge you for things they actually fix, meaning he needs proof he spent the money on the repairs. They cannot collect security deposit and other monies and pocket them. Again, double check this when you talk to the free resources others have recommended. Good luck OP.
You may actually come out ahead in this OP. There are very strict rules on how deposit money is kept in Chicago - it needs to be a separate account, interest paid, given back to you within x number days after moving out etc. If your landlord doesn’t follow those to the T you can get 3x the monthly rent back from him. There are specialty lawyers in Chicago that go after landlords just for this as their full time gig - do a quick google search. The issue with deposits is why I don’t take them and my old apartment building didn’t either. So you may be in luck!
Good to document this stuff before getting going in a unit. Sounds like a scam. There’s free law advice for tenant rights issues. You don’t really owe beyond the deposit.
Chicago law falls to benefit the tenant usually, so reach out to one of the tenant law associations. I got free advice from them when an out of state landlord was trying to get me to pay for wear and tear repairs and be home for them (asking I take PTO to take care of it).
You guys should take photos before you leave a place to ensure they’re not damaging it for claims.
Won’t help you this time, but next time upon taking the keys / that very first day before moving in one thing- take video of the entire apartment; pics and close up shots of every nick, paint splash, scratch, dent, crack. Most videos have meta data that records the date, but may want to consider including a newspaper /computer or something else with the date on it in the video. Complete a move in check list- document every single thing you see (small dent in fridge, chipped sink), email a copy to landlord (preferably you both sign it but that doesn’t always happen).
Do the exact same thing upon move out.
I did what I noted above and it worked out for me. My landlord tried to retain my security deposit for shit that was already broken when I moved in plus I painted something then painted it back.
I sued her, and not only did I win representing myself against her attorney I won back the travel and other expenses I accrued in the process.
OP this EXACT same thing happened to me several years ago (see attached). I wouldn’t be surprised if this is the exact same shady ass landlord.
They do this because every so often people freak out and actually pay. This is a total bullshit shakedown
1. IL is v favorable to tenants
2. If this actually cost what they’re saying, they need to prove it.... which they can’t. For example, cleaning blinds does not cost $100.
3. Most large landlords use internal employees for repairs. They likely won’t even have receipts.
The move is to have a lawyer draft a letter disputing. I can provide an example of what I used. Nobody is going to battle you in court over a few thousand dollars.
This is the breakdown.
I want to party with you, cowboy!
I’d recommend at least having a consultation with a landlord/tenant attorney. They can tell you how strong a defense you might have under the CRLTO, and from there you can decide whether it’s worth fighting it from a legal perspective. If nothing else, you could gain some info/leverage from that consultation and try negotiating with the landlord for a lesser amount based on whatever leverage you might have
Can’t open the link. What’s the reasoning?
What did you do?!
Part 3 of 3
Are these valid or were some of these issues before you moved in? Did you complete an inspection before and sign off on it? If not, not sure how the landlord can say it was you.
I would get an attorney to write them a stern letter saying this kind of behavior will not be tolerated. After reading your comment, they are scamming you. They will lose - unless you’re being inaccurate and you clearly trashed the place, everything you describe is normal wear and tear from owning a house. And my window cracked from Chicago cold and moisture as well.
OP is getting a clinic of good advice here
Tell them to go fuck themselves. Don’t pay shit, did you have a deposit? I’d just respond with these are regular wear and tear after three years. You shouldn’t be liable since they were suppose to check with you every time you renewed the lease. Are you currently enrolled in school? Most schools have some type of legal aid for students. Also, another lawyer friendly school is John Marshall they do a lot of pro bono work. They trying to scare you and pay for it. Unless it’s really that bad then I wouldn’t be too worried.
Regardless, best go talk to a tenant lawyer
I’m wondering if it’s more economical to pay versus getting a lawyer
Be careful because a lot of time in lease contracts you agree to pay for the owners lawyer fees as well
Just because something is in a lease and you sign it does not make it legally enforceable
Here are the screen shots, sorry!