Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Illinois

I'm renting a place for my a business. The landlord refuses to put lighting outside the building where my business entrance is. He did put some lights for his parking lot and put them in my circuit panel. I wasn't aware of the fact the more than 5 people have tried and left this place, eiher because the business was very low or because they got in arguments with the landlord. Everyone that I talked to tells me that all he want is more me to add more stuff for the business and since I can't pay the rent, because of the slow business that he knew about, he will kick me out and keep the stuff I added to the building and my deposit. What can I do in this situation? My business is in Frankfort Il, is that makes a difference.


Asked on 9/15/10, 6:00 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stephen Messutta

READ YOUR LEASE. If it did not obligate the landlord to provide outdoor lighting because YOU did not negotiate it, then any outdoor lighting is up to you on your dime. If the landlord agreed to put in lighting and it's in the lease, you may have to sue the landlord for breach of the lease. If you chose a bad location, that's not the landlord's fault and the fact that other businesses failed in the location will probably be extremely IRRELEVANT. The landlord may be thinking your place of business just doesn't carry enough products and may actually be trying to help you!!!! If you DO install anything, before you do get your landlord to agree that if you have to move out because the business fails, that you can remove it. GOOD LUCK.

The response given is not intended to create, nor does it create an ongoing duty to respond to questions. The response does not form an attorney-client relationship, nor is it intended to be anything other than the educated opinion of the author. It should not be relied upon as legal advice. The response given is based upon the limited facts provided by the person asking the question. To the extent additional or different facts exist, the response might possibly change. Attorney is licensed to practice law only in the State of Illinois. Responses are based solely on Illinois law unless stated otherwise.

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Answered on 10/02/10, 4:40 pm


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