Legal Question in Consumer Law in Illinois

Consumer Law

I have been renting a washer/dryer from Rent a Center since last winter. I have recently fallen behind in payments. My payments were set up to be paid bi-weekly and for some reason they ask me for payment weekly ,which has put me 20 days behind in their eyes. I have told them I was waiting to be paid. I now have the money, but they refuse to take payment. they want the merchandise and are saying they will be back in the morning with a certified letter allowing them to enter my apartment to take the merchandise. Can they do this? I am almost paid off, I do not want to lose the 1,600 I have already paid on this stuff. I have been harassed by a dozen calls per day and many knocks on the door and even woke up at 7:15 am to the intense pounding at my door from these people. Can they refuse my payment and take my stuff like they say? The local officer told me if I did not let them in tomorrow I will be arrested. Is this legal also? In this small town cops tend to do things their way. Please help!


Asked on 6/11/07, 7:48 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Thomas Moens Moens Law Offices, Chartered

Re: Consumer Law

Unless the "certified letter" they have is actually a court order, it sounds like they may be breaching the peace in attempting to collect their merchandise. You cannot be arrested for not paying your bills (there is no "debtor's prison"), but you can be arrested for violating a court order.

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Answered on 6/12/07, 6:10 pm


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