Legal Question in Real Estate Law in Illinois

Our landlord had the building manager draw up and sign our leases. Now he is having financial problems and is saying that he did not authorize the manager to sign the leases. We think he wants to raise the rents and is using this to void out our leases by telling her that only the owner can issue leases. What can we do to protect ourselves? We Live in Chicago Illinois.


Asked on 4/13/12, 10:53 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Walter Palmer Law Office of Walter Palmer

You have a signed lease from the owner's agent - the manager. Strictly speaking, that should be all that you need because even if the manager did not authorize it, he is stuck with what was signed by both parties.

If I were you I would group the tenants and hire counsel - just in case (I do not litigate).

or

If push come to shove one of you could go the Chancery Division Help Desk in the Daley Center and have them help you fill out the court papers. Filing fees apply. Then everybody else replicates the work of the first individual and you all file suit. I suspect that he would see reason if he had to defend all those lawsuits. This would cost multiple filing fees. If one of you files then any ruling would apply only to that person. If you file as a group you need to hire counsel.

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Answered on 4/14/12, 4:06 am


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