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In this case the Tenants rented a penthouse condo in Chicago under two 12-month leases.  About half-way into the second lease, in early 2009, the Tenant lost their job and had to move out of state, leaving six months on their lease. The rent was $7,500.00 per month, and the Tenants had given the Landlords an $11,250.00 security deposit. The Landlords refused to cooperate in letting the tenants try to re-rent the unit. The Tenants came into our office and we found a way to terminate the lease legally, on short notice. We performed our usual lease termination service for a flat fee. The Tenants moved out and left the state. The lawyer for the Landlords refused to accept the lease termination, and the security deposit was never returned. We asked the Tenants if they wanted us to help them try to get the security deposit back, but they were satisfied to just be done with the whole mess and let the landlord keep the whole $11,250.00. Four months later, the Tenants were served out of state with a lawsuit for more than $33,000.00 in rent under the remainder of the Chicago lease. We represented the Tenants in defending the case, and counter-sued the landlord for return of the security deposit and damages. Ultimately we obtained judgment in favor of the Tenants and against the Landlords for more than $33,000.00 plus costs and attorney fees. |
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