Tenant's Right to Quiet Enjoyment: New Tenant Moving in Mid-Lease
Question: The landlord says they will move another tenant into the basement of the house I’m renting, and I pay the utilities. Is that allowed?
Response: You may want to look at your lease to ensure you are renting the entire property (including the basement). If your lease agreement states that you are the sole renter of the entire property, the landlord likely cannot change the terms of your lease agreement by adding another tenant/dwelling unit.
You may also want to look into the possibility of the landlord illegally converting the basement unit. In most cases, the landlord is required to get a permit from the city before adding additional dwelling units to the property. For more information, visit the City of Chicago’s website.
If you suspect that the unit is being illegally converted, call 311 and request a building inspection. If the city determines that the landlord is illegally converting the basement unit, they may be able to stop the landlord from moving forward.
The above article provides information about legal issues but is not the same as legal advice. Legal advice is when a lawyer applies the law to your specific situation. The information in this article does not replace the advice or representation of a licensed attorney. Law Center for Better Housing cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the information in this article and is not responsible for any consequences that may result from using it. You should consult with a licensed attorney to ensure the information in this article is appropriate for your specific situation. Using the information in this article does not create a relationship between Law Center for Better Housing and you as your attorney.