Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Illinois

Tenant Problem

I was leasing out a room in my house. the tenants lease was until november 9 and she is paid up until the end of her lease. there were no deposits. there was damage done to my house and property by the tenant. she has moved out of the house as of today, october 19, she gave notice of moving out on october 12, and lease stated that she must give 30 days. she has moved out all her stuff except for a dresser that she stated that she would pick up at the end of the week. she will not sign a paper saying that she has moved out and she will not sign a bill of damages or return the keys to the house. do i have a legal right to change the locks on the house to avoid the chance of her coming here and taking stuff or damaging stuff while no one is home? and can i just change the locks and set up a time for her to pick up her dresser? and what should i do about damages? since she wouldnt sign the bill of damages and took all of the copies with her when she left? any advice , answers , and thoughts would be highly appreciated. thank you for your time. D. J.


Asked on 10/20/03, 2:50 am

1 Answer from Attorneys
Mary McDonagh McDonagh-Faherty Law Offices

Re: Tenant Problem

do i have a legal right to change the locks on the house to avoid the chance of her coming here and taking stuff or damaging stuff while no one is home? YES. and can i just change the locks and set up a time for her to pick up her dresser? YES. and what should i do about damages? YOU CAN ONLY SUE HER IN SMALL CLAIMS COURT.

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Answered on 10/20/03, 5:37 pm


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