Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Illinois

Can a landlord sue me for a carpet that's at least 15 years old already had wear and tear. He's also painting and charging me for that. He's charging me for a screen door that was broken due to a storm I told him that when it happened. He has unprofessional people working that he's charging me for their labor. He has a big long list down to the last screw. A little over 2 grand is what he is wanting but I scrubbed that apartment before I moved in and after because I desperately needed my deposit back. It honestly looked better then it did before!! I shouldn't have to pay to replace that old carpet. That's his job to keep it up to date. Can he actually get by with this in court? Also he's apartments are infested with BEDBUGS my kids have scars all over them due to the bites. I told him about it several times. Other people in the other apartments are getting bit too all he did was get an random unprofessional guy with a spray bottle to squirt around while I was still in the room breathing fine. The school called dcfs over it. Dcfs got onto him still he did nothing. My daughter had to go the hospital because her back was covered in bites. Everybody told me to sue... but I'm kind hearted and to be suing is just like stealing from hard working people. I thought well the scars will fade and I hated my furniture anyways no big deal... But then 5 months later he has the nerve to sue me?? Please tell me there's something I can do about this. I didn't tear up that apartment if I did I will bite my tongue and pay the 2 grand that will just hurt my husband wallet for a month. But I didn't!!!! I'm not paying a penny to him even if I have to file bankruptcy. That's how much I owe him I'll pay way extra just to not pay him. I apologize for venting.. if anyone knows any illegal advice please help. Especially with the bed bugs.. and he's charging me labor from random people. They're not even business I don't see how I have to pay random people that "say" they did this and that. They're not professional nor own a business therefore working under the table? Isn't that against the law?


Asked on 12/20/13, 4:50 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stephen Messutta

The landlord can try anything it wants, but at this point you will have to file a counter-complaint for return of your security deposit. Otherwise generally you're right, carpeting is pretty disgusting by that age even if it is cleaned periodically. Without pictures, etc., however, it may be impossible for you to prove your case and you'll be there with the landlord saying you messed things up. Hopefully you have friends or family who saw the place and can testify about the condition of the carpet.... It's still a good idea to sit with an attorney in your area, however, and go through the lease -- there may be other things you can bring up that the landlord failed or refused to do......

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Answered on 12/20/13, 9:31 am


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