Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Illinois

I have a tenant who has changed the locks and will not respond to a request for a key, many attempts have been made. she is also behind on her rent for the month of aug. What options do I have? Can I change the locks? How soon do I have to provide her with a key if I did that?

Brenda Bright


Asked on 8/14/09, 10:10 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Sal Sheikh www.BetterCallSal.com

Do you have a written lease agreement with this tenant?

If so, I would check to see if you have provisions in the written contract that would "address" this situation. If you do not I suggest always having tenants sign a lease.

Next. You as the land lord may only enter your tenats dwelling with the tenants permission OR for emergency situations only. If there is an emergency situation, you may enter the dwelling, billing the tenant for any repairs that needed to be made to the door/locks afterwards.

So, if there is not an "emergency" such as a water leak, fire, etc. and if you do not have your tenants permission to enter, what purpose would you need a key?

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Answered on 8/19/09, 10:35 am


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