Legal advice for renters in Chicago?

I recently went through Chicago Apartment Finders to find an apartment. I put down the 1st months rent when I filled out the application. I was told before I signed that the apartment would be cleaned and fixed up before I moved in.When I spoke to a man working for the realty company that I'm renting the apartment from, he was very condescending, and unprofessional and claimed that the apartment was already cleaned three weeks ago and I had viewed exactly a week ago and it was not clean. I want out because I do not trust this company and do not feel comfortable with them. I was told that the realty company can keep the money I put down for the 1st month's rent because I was holding it. The apartment just went on the market last week. How can I get my money back? Also if I'm not able to get my money back is there a way that I can create a contract that the realty company has to sign that complies with my needs?Legal advice for renters in Chicago?
http://www.tenant.org/





Chicago does a good job of helping tenants.





I also used CAF when I moved to the city... I had luck. I'm so sorry you're not. I can't stand idiot landlords. I was a property manager for awhile too and the whole situation is just nonsense and totally frustrating isn't it?!





If the cleaning is written into the lease then you have grounds against the landlord. You both have to adhere to the contract, that includes the money. But if the landlord isn't coming through, that money is yours. And if you have a signed lease for that unit, they cannot re-rent it without letting you out of the lease, get it in writing.





Take photos, send them to the company, show CAF. Make sure your correspondence is in writing, also. Having a paper trail can help sometimes. Check with the person who helped you find the apartment and see what he or she can do. They deal with this stuff all the time, because they show buildings owned independently or by a small company.





See if the Tenant organization can help you -- and next time do NOT give CAF any money or sign anything until you have reviewed the lease and asked to view the apartment. Tell them up front you will not sign until the repairs are made. Good landlords will do that for you, they NEED the cash flow, especially now.





I saw mine twice - the day of the showing and again before I signed - where I discovered they made the changes I requested and not only cleaned up the bathroom and repainted - they redid the entire thing. So, there IS good stuff out there... don't get discouraged. Fight them as best as you can!!!Legal advice for renters in Chicago?
If you do not follow through with the agreement, you most certainly will lose the deposit you placed, and you may face small claims action for breach of contract. You need to discuss your concerns about cleaning and other future concerns with the landlord involved. If necessary, get certain issues in writing.