Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Illinois

Loaned a computer to a friend, he got evicted from his house, and the landlord is holding his property and won't allow him to take it until he pays. My computer is in that house, and landlord refuses to let me get it. Tenant is suing landlord for value of property, landlord is counter-suing for rent. I have list of my property, and receipts for same. Landlord told me I could get my property, but when I went to get it, landlord did not return all of it. Said she would look around, and if she found the rest, she would let me know. She kept the computer, and only allowed me to take the monitor and keyboard. Now she says if I contact her about it again, she will have me arrested for harassment. Is there anything I can do to get my computer back?


Asked on 11/27/11, 9:34 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stephen Messutta

Based on your limited facts you may be stuck having to file a lawsuit for "replevin" which says that you have a greater right to possession of the computer than the landlord does as you are the owner of it and she is only holding it in storage. Technically the landlord can't hold property like that except in storage. The problem is timing. You might be best advised to have an attorney call the landlord and that might expedite the situation. Alternatively your "friend" can pay up and get everything back; your friend would be liable to you for any damage to the computer while in his possession. Sorry for your mess......

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Answered on 11/28/11, 8:02 am


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