[dblack123]

I found out that my apartment was and illegal dweeling, housing came in told me that am not require to pay any rent, whenthings were broken he wouldn't fix it, I was paying extra on my rent for utilties this is before I found out about the apartment being illegal when he specifically stated that utilities is included in the rent.

He took me to court, the judge order me to move ans not pay him any rent, I move out on 112/7/12, am wondering can I sue him for the rent I paid for the pass 2 1/2 yrs I lived their, he wasn't paying utilities he was stealing from other tenants in the building.

[dontknownuthin]

Probably not successfully. He would probably be fined for renting out an illegal apartment but you didn't really suffer any damages - you agreed to pay what you did for what you got.

[Fr_Chuck]

I would try, at least in small claims up to the amount or the limit,
All that can happen is you would lose.

The issue being, so what if you win, do you think this person who steals electric, rents illegal apartments would actually pay you ? Most people who win in court never see a penny, they get a piece of paper that says they won and have a judgement,

Then you have to try and collect the money

[joypulv]

Fr_Chuck is right - you will pay about $50 to take him to court, win, and he will never pay. It takes more trips to court before you actually have a hope of getting a dime.