Chicago Tenants Rights Breaking News; Recent ruling by Judge Gorman affirms that refundable pet security deposits are protected under the Chicago RLTO.

CHICAGO, IL, June 13, 2013 /EINPresswire.com/ -- On April 16, 2013, Circuit Court of Cook County Judge, Joyce Marie Murphy Gorman, held that a Chicago Landlord's failure to return a refundable pet security deposit and interest violated the Chicago Residential Landlord Tenant Ordinance thus subjecting the Landlord to damages equal to two (2) times the full security deposit amount, the tenant's reasonable attorneys fees, and costs. Chicago tenants rights were clearly protected under the law.

The facts were simple: Tenant brought suit under the Chicago RLTO for statutory penalties resulting from Landlord's failure to return $500.00 which was held a pet security deposit. The Landlord in this case simply "forgot" to return the $500.00 pet security deposit and interest, and this was never in dispute between the parties.

Despite attempts at settlement, the parties were unable to resolve the matter and went to trial. The next day, judgment was entered by Judge Gorman in favor of the Tenant for $4,500.00 which included $500.00 (i.e. the return of her full pet security deposit) plus $4,000.00 or two (2) times the amount of her "security deposit" (i.e. her apartment security deposit portion was $1,500.00) pursuant to the strict language of the Chicago RLTO law Section 5-12-080(f).

Plaintiff's Attorney, Aaron Krolik, stated that "Judge Gorman made the correct ruling today and correctly applied the Illinois Supreme Court's holding in Lawrence v. Regent Realty from 10 years ago. In Chicago security deposit recovery should include any refundable deposits or monies paid by tenants to landlords related to the use and occupancy of their apartments under the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance. This necessarily includes refundable pet security deposits."

As for Aaron Krolik's fee in this matter, on May 20, 2013, Judge Gorman ordered Defendant to pay Plaintiff's reasonable attorneys fees in the amount of $2,887.50 and court costs in the amount $628.35. Such fees and costs are guaranteed to prevailing parties under the Chicago RLTO. According to Aaron Krolik, “At the end of the day, the Landlord should have settled, yes.”

Aaron Krolik Law Office, P.C. is the leading law firm for security deposits, tenant rights class actions, and compliant leases in Chicago, Illinois. As a prominent landlord-tenant lawyer in Chicago, Aaron can help. Concentrating in security deposit recovery and lease termination, the firm has strived to educate and assist Chicago renters in learning the rights and remedies afforded by the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance (RLTO) – the Chicago Tenants’ Bill of Rights.


Press release courtesy of Online PR Media: http://bit.ly/141p0r3

Aaron Krolik
Aaron Krolik Law Office, P.C.
(312) 285-2352
email us here