Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Illinois

Do I have chance in small claims court?

My landlord wants to withold $150.00 of deposit money based on an ultr-violet lite test performed on my carpet at final walkthru claiming my cat (an additional 300. deposit)urinated on the carpet. The stains he pointed out were stains i identified as iced tea, and windex overspray, which make me doubt the reliability of the man conducting the test. I researched ultra violet testing, and all substances, organic or not remain in the carpet for the life of the carpet, cleaned or not. The difference would be in the color, which would be a very bright yellow or orange if it was in fact, urine. neither of which i saw during the test. This test was not done for me prior to me moving in. The stains could be anyones. I would like to take this to small claims. Does a little guy stand a chance against a corporation?


Asked on 4/02/98, 8:17 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Charles Dobra Charles Wm. Dobra, Ltd.

Small Claims Court

I absolutely believe that you have a very good chance to prevail in Small Claims Court. Just remember to serve the proper party; look at your old lease; hopefully it will state the correct name of the party defendant as the Landlord, rather than an agent. Go to any public library, and look up who the corporation's Registered Agent is from the official Illinois Domestic Corporation list; it is now only published on micro-fiche. Serve your defendant at the address shown. Good Luck!

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Answered on 4/16/98, 4:26 pm


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