Tenant Rights And Resources

Summary

In Illinois, tenants have rights regarding habitability and retaliation. Retaliation by landlords, such as raising rent or not renewing a lease due to complaints, is prohibited. Habitability issues must be significant; cosmetic damages might not qualify. If appealing a decision isnt viable, consider reaching out to tenant advocacy groups or exploring other legal aid organizations in Illinois. Mediation and arbitration are alternative dispute resolution methods that can help settle conflicts outside of court. If mediation is refused, appealing the judges decision or contacting tenant advocacy groups can offer additional support.

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i filed a small claims case against my property management company for failure to maintain habitability pro se went to trial had * witnesses testify had my lease the city of champaign housing inspection violation report as well as the request for extension by the property management company to the city to correct repairs and clear violations which never happened because after the retaliatory acts began shortly after they received the violation report they attempted to force me out of this property by any means other than eviction since they had no basis in which to do. they were unable to so they broke their contract with the owner never fixing the violations that was a direct result of negligent and improperly installed work done by them. I had *+ photos clearly showing the damage of the house ultimately deeming it unsafe
It sounds like you're facing a challenging situation with your property management company. To better assist you, could you share the outcome of the trial or if there are any specific legal questions you have?
i had my copies of text messages between the property management company and myself proving the retaliation acts and proof of not fixing what they were supposed to and attempting to raise rent then get me out by saying the owner wishes for my lease to not be renewed he never said to do any of that. i also have emails where they tried to force me to sign a homestead tax exemption form threatening me if i did not sign in within 4 days they sent it to me they would fine me *.* the judge did not allow any of my evidence with the exception of * pics showing the massive gaps all around front and back door the chunks of wall and ceiling that fell out and said that is cosmetic issues not habitabiity issues she also denied my motion to leave and amend complaint adding retaliatory acts and breach of contract as well as amended complaint stating that would cause the defendant distress and was done in intentions to do harm or something to that effect and denied both
It sounds like you're dealing with a complex situation involving property management and legal proceedings. In Illinois, tenants have rights regarding habitability and retaliation. Here are some key points:
- Retaliation by landlords, such as raising rent or not renewing a lease due to complaints, is prohibited.
- Habitability issues must be significant; cosmetic damages might not qualify.
- You may have options for appealing the judge's decision or pursuing other legal remedies.
Would you like to be connected with local lawyers who can better assist you with your case?
i cannot afford an attorney
I'm sorry to hear about the difficulties you're facing. In Illinois, you might consider reaching out to legal aid organizations that offer free or low-cost legal assistance. They can provide guidance and possibly represent you in your case. Here's a suggestion:
- Land of Lincoln Legal Assistance Foundation: They provide free civil legal services to low-income individuals in Illinois. You can contact them to see if they can help with your situation.
If you have any specific legal questions or need further guidance, feel free to ask!
land of lincoln legal assistance is worthless they said unless i am being evicted they wont take the cased
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It sounds like you're dealing with a frustrating situation. In Illinois, there might be other options like appealing the judge's decision or seeking a second opinion from another legal aid organization. You could also explore mediation or arbitration services for tenant-landlord disputes.
If you have any questions or need further guidance, feel free to ask!
what are mediation or arbitration services
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Mediation and arbitration are alternative dispute resolution methods that can help settle conflicts outside of court:
- Mediation: A neutral third-party mediator helps both parties communicate and negotiate to reach a voluntary agreement.
- Arbitration: A neutral arbitrator hears both sides and makes a binding decision, similar to a judge but usually less formal.
These services can be helpful in tenant-landlord disputes, offering faster and potentially less costly resolutions.
the property management company already refused to speak with a mediator stating i needed to move and that was the end of it for them
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It seems like the property management company is unwilling to negotiate through mediation. You might consider appealing the judge's decision or looking for other legal aid organizations. Sometimes, contacting tenant advocacy groups can offer additional support. Would you like more information on appeal processes or tenant advocacy resources?
yes
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Appealing a decision in Illinois involves specific steps:
- You must file a notice of appeal with the appropriate court.
- Appeals must be filed within a specific time frame, usually 30 days from the judgment.
- Tenant advocacy groups can provide support and resources.
Would you like more information on tenant advocacy groups?
if i appeal it to the appellate court they will only argue and address the habitability issue the initial complaint since the judge denied my amended where i added retaliatory acts and breach of contract so i dont think that is the way to go with this
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It sounds like you're dealing with a complex legal situation. If you feel that appealing isn't the best option, consider reaching out to tenant advocacy groups for support or exploring other legal aid organizations in Illinois. They might have insights or alternative strategies for your situation.
yes can you list tenacy advocate groups in the champaign county area please and thank you
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Here are some tenant advocacy groups in the Champaign County area:
- Champaign County Housing Authority: Offers resources for tenants facing housing issues.
- Illinois Tenants Union: Provides support for tenants across Illinois.
- Tenant Union at University of Illinois: Offers advocacy and resources for tenants, especially students.
If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!
fyi the illinois tenants union is permanently closed
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Thanks for the update about the Illinois Tenants Union. Given your situation, you might want to consider other organizations or legal aid services for tenant advocacy. Since appealing seems limited to habitability issues, exploring tenant advocacy groups or seeking a second opinion from another legal aid organization might be beneficial. If you need more guidance, feel free to ask!