Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Illinois

My landlord who is also my aunt has been made aware over a month ago that the basement has mold growing around it. We have had to throw out furniture and clothes because of it. My fianc� is a contractor who she hired for the job because he was doing it for a little or nothing because of his son and grandkids living there under those conditions. He initially started the work but when he came to her about running out of supplies once he started the work and started cutting the walls it was more work needed done then expected. There were red ants that were eating the wood behind the drywall. She informed him that they have a contract and that she's not giving any more money because she gave him what he asked for. Her and I had a conversation later about it and she stated that she doesn't have to go through this and that we can just move. We just recently signed a 1 year lease with her on July 1st and we really don't want to move. Do you have any suggestions or advice?


Asked on 8/12/16, 8:33 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stephen Messutta

Your relationship as landlord-tenant is separate from being contractor unless the two 'agreements' are tied together somehow. If nothing is in writing that is a problem, but if the job was to remedy the mold only, remedy only the mold. If the place is not habitable, however, there may be a defensible reason to move. Take whatever written agreements you have to an attorney to review; this could be sticky.

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Answered on 8/16/16, 6:30 am


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