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Roommate Left Articles Behind in Chicago

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  • 07-08-2007, 11:31 PM
    123worriedconcerned
    Roommate Left Articles Behind in Chicago
    Our roommate's lease will be ending at the end of this month. She hasn't yet paid her rent for this month or utilities for this month. We haven't seen or heard from her in almost three weeks. Her furniture is still here as well as some clothes. If she leaves her things here when the lease is up, what do we do with them? Are we forced to store them and then take her to small claims court to ask for the rent/storage fees? Should we call her and leave them on the lawn for her to pick up (what I would like to do)? Can we sell them to pay for back rent/utilities if we file suit immediately? I just want to get her and her stuff out of the house. As a side note, it is alright to change the locks after her lease comes up at the end of the month, right? She was notified a month ago her lease is not being renewed and we have worked up a new lease with the landlord.
  • 07-09-2007, 06:31 AM
    Mr. Knowitall
    Re: Roommate Left Articles Behind in Chicago
    Quote:

    Quoting 123worriedconcerned
    View Post
    If she leaves her things here when the lease is up, what do we do with them? Are we forced to store them and then take her to small claims court to ask for the rent/storage fees?

    Taking her to court for any rent she owes is a possible solution.
    Quote:

    Quoting 123worriedconcerned
    Should we call her and leave them on the lawn for her to pick up (what I would like to do)?

    Try it and see if it inspires her to collect her belongings - but I wouldn't actually put the stuff on the lawn.
    Quote:

    Quoting 123worriedconcerned
    Can we sell them to pay for back rent/utilities if we file suit immediately?

    Nope. The property isn't yours to sell.
    Quote:

    Quoting 123worriedconcerned
    I just want to get her and her stuff out of the house. As a side note, it is alright to change the locks after her lease comes up at the end of the month, right? She was notified a month ago her lease is not being renewed and we have worked up a new lease with the landlord.

    Your landlord can change the locks and reissue keys. Most landlords absolutely forbid tenants from changing the locks themselves.
  • 07-11-2007, 11:24 AM
    123worriedconcerned
    Re: Roommate Left Articles Behind in Chicago
    Thanks Mr. K. The landlord is probably changing the locks at the end of the lease. It's a landlord occupied building and he doesn't feel safe having keys floating out there, obviously. She paid her rent, finally, but still hasn't paid utilities. Are we required by law to store her things if she leaves them? Some of the other posts seems to have suggested this. How long, legally until they are considered abandoned and we can give them to charity or toss them on the curb?
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