My landlord broke a key in my apt door.... what are my rights? (Chicago: sale)

[Leon1980]

The building I live in was sold in a foreclosure. The sale was final last month. From the first day the new owner introduced his self he has been pushy. Admitted that he has come off as a bully but has not changed his behavior. And his story constantly changes. Well this evening I went to leave the apartment and the door knob would not turn. After leaving out of the back door and viewing the door knob. A key was broke off and jammed into the lock. The only other person that has a key would be the landlord. Why would he break a key in my front door and not notify me? If he wants to change the lock why not notify me and come do so?

[urbanchillage]

I don't think it counts as a lockout since you can still use the backdoor. Here's from the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance Summary:

LOCKOUTS [Mun. Code ch. 5-12-160]
· It is ILLEGAL for a landlord to lock out a tenant, or change the locks, or remove the doors of a rental unit, or to cut off heat, utility or water service, or to do anything which interferes with the tenant’s use of the apartment.
· All lockouts are illegal and the Police Department is responsible for enforcement against such illegal activity. (eff. 1/1/92) (Police Special Order 93-12)
· The landlord shall be fined $200 to $500 for each day the lockout occurs or continues.
· The tenant may sue the landlord to recover possession of the unit and twice the actual damages sustained or two months’ rent, whichever is greater.

However, it is definitely a defect, the ordinance summary advises to formally write him that he has to fix it within 14 days or you can make a reduction:

TENANT REMEDIES [Mun. Code ch. 5-12-110]
Minor Defects
· If the landlord fails to maintain the property in compliance with the Code and the tenant or the tenant’s family or guests are not responsible for the failure, the tenant may:
1. Request in writing that the landlord make repairs within 14 days, and if the landlord fails to do so the tenant may withhold an amount of rent that reasonably reflects the reduced value of the unit. Rent withholding begins from the fifteenth day until repairs are made; OR
2. Request in writing that the landlord make repairs within 14 days and if the landlord fails to do so the tenant may have the repairs made and deduct up to $500 or ½ of the month’s rent, whichever is more, but not to exceed one month’s rent. Repairs must be done in compliance with Code. Receipt for repairs must be given to the landlord and no more than the cost of the repairs can be deducted from the rent; and also
3. File suit against the landlord for injunctive relief.

[chet everett]

Originally Posted by Brandon010181

I don't think it counts as a lockout since you can still use the backdoor. Here's from the Chicago Residential Landlord and Tenant Ordinance Summary:

LOCKOUTS [Mun. Code ch. 5-12-160]
· It is ILLEGAL for a landlord to lock out a tenant, or change the locks, or remove the doors of a rental unit, or to cut off heat, utility or water service, or to do anything which interferes with the tenant’s use of the apartment.
· All lockouts are illegal and the Police Department is responsible for enforcement against such illegal activity. (eff. 1/1/92) (Police Special Order 93-12)
· The landlord shall be fined $200 to $500 for each day the lockout occurs or continues.
· The tenant may sue the landlord to recover possession of the unit and twice the actual damages sustained or two months’ rent, whichever is greater.

However, it is definitely a defect, the ordinance summary advises to formally write him that he has to fix it within 14 days or you can make a reduction:

TENANT REMEDIES [Mun. Code ch. 5-12-110]
Minor Defects
· If the landlord fails to maintain the property in compliance with the Code and the tenant or the tenant’s family or guests are not responsible for the failure, the tenant may:
1. Request in writing that the landlord make repairs within 14 days, and if the landlord fails to do so the tenant may withhold an amount of rent that reasonably reflects the reduced value of the unit. Rent withholding begins from the fifteenth day until repairs are made; OR
2. Request in writing that the landlord make repairs within 14 days and if the landlord fails to do so the tenant may have the repairs made and deduct up to $500 or ½ of the month’s rent, whichever is more, but not to exceed one month’s rent. Repairs must be done in compliance with Code. Receipt for repairs must be given to the landlord and no more than the cost of the repairs can be deducted from the rent; and also
3. File suit against the landlord for injunctive relief.

Seems like the google machine works good from Prague too!

But seriously, pushy jerk or nice businesslike /professional landlord matters less than following the rules and understanding the consequences. If the tenant notifies the landlord about the "need for repairs" and the 14 days go by and the landlord fails to respond the OP has a decision to make -- will this pushy jerk of a landlord escalate their bullying? Got to weigh that against any real issues...

[MSchemist80]

Are you sure it was the landlord? Perhaps some drunk other tenant or some other idiot came to the wrong door and tried to get in using the wrong key and got rough and broke it when it didn't work.

[ToriaT]

Yeah I would not jump to any conclusions or be accusatory I would just ask open ended neutral questions. Sometimes landlords might not have great communication skills. And it might not be him. It could be as above someone else doing it.

[chicagobear]

Do you know if the new owner wants you out? When does your lease expire?

[glass_of_merlot]

Maybe he is a serial killer.

[squishy506]

It's kind of hard to break a key in a lock. It was probably done on accident. Did you call the landlord and ask him to get it removed if you can't?

[pbrb]

just call your landlord and he'll probably come fix it.

[Leon1980]

Thank you to everyone that responded. To update things. Yes we know it was him. We have notified him about the lock on our door and on the gate outside as well. We have emailed him, called both his business number and his cell phone. Then tried to text to notify him. Then once the maintenance man that lives in the basement introduced himself, we told him as well. He ignored the statement. The landlord has not responded. Or communicated to us in any way. He has spoken with other tenants in the building though. So we replaced the lock on the door that had the key broke in it ourselves. We advised him when he purchased the building that we would be moving and we told him when. The building is not up to code. And he wants to raise rent on all the tenants. Before he brings it up to code. We recently received a packet of information stating he is suing the previous landlord about the leases the tenants have. He informed us on purchase of the building that he needed copies of our lease and keys mailed to him. We did so. In the packet it states that he did not receive keys from us. I am thinking those are the two keys he broke in our door and in the gate outside. I do not wish him any ill will but I do hope he treats others that move in his building better then he has with the tenants he inherited with the sale. We no longer have to deal with him and will be moving out this weekend.