Question about breaking lease in Chicago, feeling swindeld.

[Lovegun]

Originally Posted by PSXfile

I recently moved to Chicago and sublet an apartment from 5.1.10 - 7.31.10. I was told that I was signing a sublet and that I needed to be out of the apartment on July 31st at noon, which I was. I now live in a different apartment. I recently got a call from my previous landlord saying that I owed rent for August. I said that I had moved and that I was just subletting that apartment. She then informed me that I had actually signed a renewal that lasts until July 2011 and that I have to pay rent each month until someone else moves in. I was initally told that this was a sublet and that I needed to be out on July 31st at noon. I even turned in my keys so I can't get into the apartment even if I wanted to. Their communication is terrible. Nobody ever answers the phone, and when they do, and I explain my situation, they just transfer me to somebody's voicemail. They are making no effort in re-renting this apartment. I can't get in to show it because I don't have the keys and I can't get a hold of anyone to open the apartment. I really feel like I'm being swindeld. I'm at a loss as to what to do as I cannot afford to pay rent on two apartments. Any advice as to what to do what be great.

If you did sign a renewl, aren't most leases one year? That would make it 5.1.11. There are an extra 2 months there.

Who did you turn the keys into?

[chicagojlo]

Take the contract to an attorney or at the very least scan a copy of it (personal info deleted) on here.