Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Illinois

Breaking a Contract/lease agreement before moving in

I was moving to Chicago, IL from CO. I found a room to rent in an apartment. The owner lives there and rents out 1 room. I was emailed a ''contract'' for an 11 month lease to start Aug 1, 2005. I sent in the contract and a deposit of $375 to secure the place on July 11. On July 18th I decided I would not be moving due to personal reasons (got engaged) and immediately notified the owner.

She agreed to try to rent it out again, but would keep my deposit. She has still not rented it out (to my knowledge) and is demanding I pay her August rent, $750 + 1/2 utilities and continue to pay until she finds a renter. Please let me know my responsibilities having never moved into the aparment.

Thank you


Asked on 8/26/05, 3:17 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Mark Banks-Golub Attorney at Law

Re: Breaking a Contract/lease agreement before moving in

Ask her to send you a copy of her lease, highlighting the provision that allows her to rent out a room in the aprtment that she is renting. That should get her off your back.

As for the $375 deposit, sorry to say, but honestly, if you live in CO, it's going to cost you a lot more than that to recover it.

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Answered on 8/26/05, 3:36 pm


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