Legal Question in Disability Law in Illinois

My husband and I live in a 4 unit townhouse type rental. The neighbor directly next to us has been harassing us on a daily basis. I am disabled and she verbally harasses me and makes fun of me because of my disability. Her dog is constantly on our property barking, jumping on me, scratching, and attacking my dog. She blasts loud music at all hours, flushes the toilet repeatedly while we shower, tears out our flowers and plants, bangs on the walls and has undesirable people over that also cause issues. The mental duress alone is enough for anyone.

We have addressed the issues with our landlord both in writing and verbally on many, many occasions but he says he has not rights to tell her anything and we have to work it out.

I have tried talking to her and even offering a plant like the one of mine she cut the flowers off but she refuses to make peace.

Not only as a tenant but also as disabled person what are my rights? Can I leave under the circumstances and request my deposit back without penalties due to the landlords refusal to resolve the matter?


Asked on 9/30/10, 6:14 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Stephen Messutta

1. Is your landlord her landlord too? If so and you have a lease with rules then your landlord should be enforcing the lease.

2. Is your landlord NOT hers but there is a management company for the complex? Then they should get involved if there are rules for all residents of the complex.

3. If your landlord is NOT hers too and there is no management company, call the police. If need be ask whether they would consider her behavior to be a hate crime.

The response given is not intended to create, nor does it create an ongoing duty to respond to questions. The response does not form an attorney-client relationship, nor is it intended to be anything other than the educated opinion of the author. It should not be relied upon as legal advice. The response given is based upon the limited facts provided by the person asking the question. To the extent additional or different facts exist, the response might possibly change. Attorney is licensed to practice law only in the State of Illinois. Responses are based solely on Illinois law unless stated otherwise.

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Answered on 10/07/10, 8:00 pm


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