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    Rose1533's Avatar
    Rose1533 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Oct 1, 2012, 01:10 PM
    Can a landlord really do this?
    I filled out an application for an apartment in Chicago. On the application it asked if I had any pets. I've had a dog for 7 years, and I included him on the application, along with his breed and weight. My application was accepted and I moved into the apartment on July 1, 2012. Two days ago a letter was slipped under my door stating that pets were no longer allowed on the property, and it cited some fine print on the lease. It also stated that I had until November 1st to remove the dog or my file would be turned over to an attorney for eviction. Is it legal for them to do this?
    AK lawyer's Avatar
    AK lawyer Posts: 12,592, Reputation: 977
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    #2

    Oct 1, 2012, 01:36 PM
    You didn't read the fine print? Sure, when they accepted your application to lease the apartment and gave you a lease to sign, it was up to you to read what you were signing. You signed it, thus agreeing to its terms including the fine print.
    JudyKayTee's Avatar
    JudyKayTee Posts: 46,503, Reputation: 4600
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    #3

    Oct 1, 2012, 02:27 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by AK lawyer View Post
    You didn't read the fine print? Sure, when they accepted your application to lease the apartment and gave you a lease to sign, it was up to you to read what you were signing. You signed it, thus agreeing to its terms including the fine print.

    Bingo!
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
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    #4

    Oct 1, 2012, 03:24 PM
    What was this fine print? Can you post it? Without knowing what it says it hard to advise.

    Frankly, I think they would be hard pressed to win this. Did every tenant with a pet get a similar letter? I would try to find out. But the timing is too close. Had they waited a few months, they could probably get away with it. But to give you a notice 2 days after you moved in when your application indicated the pet, I would hope a judge would not give in to them. But it depends on a) what the fine print says and b) what judge you get.

    I think, though, if you fight it, the judge will at least give you a reasonable amount of time to find a new place.
    AK lawyer's Avatar
    AK lawyer Posts: 12,592, Reputation: 977
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    #5

    Oct 1, 2012, 04:38 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by ScottGem View Post
    What was this fine print? Can you post it? Without knowing what it says it hard to advise.
    ...
    Quote Originally Posted by Rose1533 View Post
    ... a letter was slipped under my door stating that pets were no longer allowed on the property, and it cited some fine print on the lease. ...
    I took this to mean that the fine print says (in so many words) "no pets". If I was mistaken, Rose, please advise.
    ScottGem's Avatar
    ScottGem Posts: 64,966, Reputation: 6056
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    #6

    Oct 1, 2012, 06:11 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by AK lawyer View Post
    Quote Originally Posted by Rose1533 View Post
    ... a letter was slipped under my door stating that pets were no longer allowed on the property, and it cited some fine print on the lease. ...
    I took this to mean that the fine print says (in so many words) "no pets". If I was mistaken, Rose, please advise.
    Since, they let her move in knowing that she had a pet, if the fine print only said "no pets", it would not be enough. I suspect that it says something to the effect that they could decide to change the policy on pets with 30 days notice.

    Also, I just realized I misread the OP, I though the notice was 2 days after moving in, but it was two days ago, meaning about 3 months after moving in. That makes it harder to fight.
    Fr_Chuck's Avatar
    Fr_Chuck Posts: 81,301, Reputation: 7692
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    #7

    Oct 1, 2012, 06:44 PM
    Agree, two days after moving in, I think she may have a better case in eviction court.

    Three months. But as everyone has started, we need to see the "fine print"

    I took 3 hours reading my last lease, reading and questioning ever phrase I was not sure about.
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