I signed a 1 year lease for a condo sublet in IL. We paid the 1st month’s rent, last month’s rent and a security deposit up front.
halfway through the 9th month, I received a notice from an attorney notifying me that my landlord hadn’t paid the last 5 months’ association fees and that the unit would be “taken back” if those fees were not paid in full.
We spoke to the landlord & she explained that she could not afford to pay those fees so we were forced to look for another place and vacate the premises by the end of the month. We had already paid for that month not knowing it would be our last.
Now, after terminating the agreement early and taking our last month’s rent, she is telling us that she has 30 days to get that deposit back to us – which is correct, according to the Illinois Security Deposit Return Act – but she is bunching the deposit and last month’s rent together.
My question is: what can I do to get the last month’s rent back sooner? What are my rights in regard to that money?
I’m actually staying with family because without notice, I could not afford the security deposit for another apartment. I fear that given her situation, she will avoid me and procrastinate as long as possible!
I will send a certified letter requesting the money but where do I go from there? Any advice?