State: Illinois
Hi,
I rent a condo unit in a Chicago high-rise. I'm ready to move out, and I just received a move-out package from the building management. Apparently, the condo association has decided to impose a $300 move-out fee for anyone leaving the building - whether tenants or unit owners. (In case it matters, I'm pretty certain this fee was imposed after my lease began.)
I checked my lease to see whether it mentions anything about this fee (or any condo assn-legislated fee), and it doesn't. The closest thing is a clause saying that "tenant agrees to abide by condo rules & regulations".
I did receive a booklet of condo rules & regulations when I signed my original lease back in 2003. It did not mention any move-out fees. I then signed a new lease in 2004 and did not receive another (updated?) booklet. Still, as I mentioned, I think this is a fee that had been decided on after my second lease started.
Am I obligated to pay this fee? It seems to me that the language isn't clear in the lease, that it would be unreasonable for the condo assn to have free reign during the term of the lease (e.g. what if they decided the move-out fee should be $2,000???) - esp. for tenants, who don't have a say in the association, and that, if they want to impose move-out charges in this case, the condo unit owner should have to pay.
Please advise...thanks.
Hi,
I rent a condo unit in a Chicago high-rise. I'm ready to move out, and I just received a move-out package from the building management. Apparently, the condo association has decided to impose a $300 move-out fee for anyone leaving the building - whether tenants or unit owners. (In case it matters, I'm pretty certain this fee was imposed after my lease began.)
I checked my lease to see whether it mentions anything about this fee (or any condo assn-legislated fee), and it doesn't. The closest thing is a clause saying that "tenant agrees to abide by condo rules & regulations".
I did receive a booklet of condo rules & regulations when I signed my original lease back in 2003. It did not mention any move-out fees. I then signed a new lease in 2004 and did not receive another (updated?) booklet. Still, as I mentioned, I think this is a fee that had been decided on after my second lease started.
Am I obligated to pay this fee? It seems to me that the language isn't clear in the lease, that it would be unreasonable for the condo assn to have free reign during the term of the lease (e.g. what if they decided the move-out fee should be $2,000???) - esp. for tenants, who don't have a say in the association, and that, if they want to impose move-out charges in this case, the condo unit owner should have to pay.
Please advise...thanks.