Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Illinois

I am going to be signing a newly written lease (Effective May 1st, 2012), that will state that there will be no smoking in the apartments. I don't smoke. So, no issue there. My issue is, assuming that the other "rules" are "still intact" from the "original lease", before signing, can I cross out anything I don't agree with? I learned that I could do this, YEARS after I moved in (I don't recall the source)....and there are some things from the "original lease", that I don't want to continue to agree to. I am physically challenged, living in independent housing for the disabled (Section 8).


Asked on 3/06/12, 1:56 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stephen Messutta

If this is truly a "newly written lease" nothing from the "original lease" would ever apply again. If you want the newly written lease to have some of the things you liked about the "original lease" and just start crossing things out, the landlord does NOT have to accept your changes. In fact, your changes COULD be considered a counter-offer that the landlord could reject and then you may wind up with no lease. If you want changes one thing you may want to try instead is talking to your landlord about things you want. Up to you.

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Answered on 3/06/12, 2:55 pm


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