Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Illinois

Can my landlord make me pay legal fees

My husband & I rented an apartment January 1st-July 1st. We moved out and the landlord said if there were any damages then they would be taking out of our deposit witch we agreed, but after we moved out for some reason my dad recived a bill for 423 from the landlord (me and my dad have the same name) my dad brought it to my attention there was no number on there so I had to get it off whitepages so I called him he wouldn't tell me what the charges are for but said he was taking me to court and he is going to make me pay the legal fees as well so my dad told me to send him the money so I did certifed check in the mail, but he has never went to the post office to pick it up, if he trys to sue me can he make me pay for legal fees if I already sent him the money and he never called me NOT ONCE?????


Asked on 9/26/07, 11:12 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys
Lesley Hoenig Lesley A. Hoenig, Attorney at Law

Re: Can my landlord make me pay legal fees

He can only obtain legal fees if the lease you signed with him provided a provision for legal fees. But if he takes you to court for the money, you may be able to successfully argue that you do not owe the damages. Landlord must be able to prove the damages to succeed in court.

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Answered on 9/29/07, 12:37 am
Mary McDonagh McDonagh-Faherty Law Offices

Re: Can my landlord make me pay legal fees

A landlord must send a detailed bill of any issues within 30 days - if this did not happen, he is out of luck. You should not be responsible for attorneys' fees unless your contract said otherwise.

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Answered on 10/02/07, 3:47 pm


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