Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Illinois

How fast can a Landlord evict a renter?

Our 1 year lease expired on 03/31/06. For the first 8 mos. we payed rented ahead or on tome. Then we were out of work for 4 mos- so we got behind on rent. We finally started working again in late Feb. 06- and told the landlords- but they felt we were too behind, to catch up. They left a letter under our door, extending the date of our letter to them ( March 14th) to requesting us to vacate the apt. on April 14th ( 30 days). We have tried very hard to find a place- but its hard without verification of your last residence and when your credit is bad. We might have a place- but its not available til 05/01/06. How fast can the landlords evict us? No legal papers have been served, just their 30 day written letter under the door.


Asked on 4/06/06, 1:30 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Kevin Plachta The Law Office of Kevin F. Plachta

Re: How fast can a Landlord evict a renter?

YOU CAN ONLY BE EVICTED BY LEGAL MEANS. If your landlord wants to evict you, there are certain steps which the landlord must follow for the eviction to be lawful. If proper procedure is not followed, the eviction is unlawful, and the landlord may be liable for damages.

If your landlord wants to proceed to evict you once the written notice period has ended, he or she must file an eviction lawsuit (called "An Action in Forcible Entry and Detainer") against you in court. Normally, the county sheriff or a special process server will then serve you with a summons stating the time, date, and courtroom you will have to go to court in your case. Be sure to go to court on the specified date and time. Even if you have already moved out, you should go to court to make sure that your landlord gives the judge correct information, including the amount of rent you owe. If you do not show up at all, the judge will probably enter a money judgment and an eviction order against you, and you will have to move out, possibly on that same day. If you appear in court then most judges will allow you to stay 7-14 days in the apartment.

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Answered on 4/08/06, 2:28 pm


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