Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Illinois

New Lease renewal with revised addendum

I am signing a renewal lease on an apt. and the new addendum states that ''Tenant agrees to an automatic steam cleaning charge of $.25 per square foot at the end of the lease term.'' This amount will be over $200. Can they legally make me do this?


Asked on 7/29/08, 5:13 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Adam Lasker Lavelle Law Group LLC

Re: New Lease renewal with revised addendum

No, they cannot "make you" agree to the steam cleaning in the addendum to the new lease. You have every right to refuse to sign the new agreement, but that would mean you'd have to find a new place to live.

Absent any facts that would suggest otherwise (and you have provided none), the landlord has the right to include any reasonable provisions in the lease agreement, just like you have the right to refuse to accept the terms of their agreement.

If you do not want to find a new place to live, but you also do not want to agree to pay the $200 for a carpet cleaning, you will have to negotiate this lease agreement before you sign it. (It would be wise to consult an attorney to assist you with the negotiations.)

If the landlord refuses to delete the steam-cleaning provision, then your only options would be to accept the agreement or to start looking for a different landlord.

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Answered on 7/29/08, 5:53 pm


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