Legal Question in Consumer Law in Illinois

i bought a used car from my landlord. I paid for the majority of the car and my landlord continued to drive it. WHen I finally paid for the whole car he forced me to take the car and sign an agreement that i was taking it as is. I never received a copy of that agreement. Since I desperately needed a car i agreed. I was also worried that i would not recieve my downpayment back if i said no.

SInce i have taken possession of the car I have noticed that the windshield is damaged and needs to be replaced as well as two tires and the spoiler.

I still owe a small balance but i dont want to pay it since ihad to pay for these repairs. My landlord has threatened to evict me over this what options do i have?


Asked on 7/25/10, 7:55 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Thomas Moens Moens Law Offices, Chartered

Unfortunately, you should have inspected the car before you agreed to buy it. Unless the seller specifically told you that the windshield was not damaged, etc., OR if this damage occurred after entered into your agreement to buy the car, you bought the car as-is, and you owe the whole amount you agreed to pay.

I am not sure I understand how in the first paragraph you say that you finally paid for the whole car, but in the last paragraph you say you owe a small balance. I do not see that he can evict you for this, since it is a separate transaction from the lease. You might have a problem with this, however, if you do not have receipts which specify how the money you paid him was allocated. As an example, you gave him $100 which you thought was going toward rent, but your landlord applied that to the car purchase.

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Answered on 7/26/10, 11:03 am


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