Illegal eviction summons and two landlords

[SEEKAH]

I am in the state of Illinois and I am wondering if:

1. If the amount on the eviction summons is excessive and thus wrong,
can I get the summons dismissed?
2. What is the court most likely to do in this case?

Background:
a. Both of the landlords have accountants or know accounting

b. The new landlord filed the claim based on incorrect word of mouth hearsay from the first landlord. The new landlord does not even have
a copy of the records in his posession, so this summons was not filed
on fact at all, but was filed simply on incorrect hearsay.

Part Two:
Can the new landlord who recently purchased the property from the previous landlord really sue me for back payments 'owed' to the first landlord after the property has been sold to the new landlord?

And finally: What do I say and do in open court, if I want to file and appeal.

Thanks.

 

[Michael Wechsler]

1. No, you can't get a case dismissed just because a landlord is asking for more money than you think he deserves.

2. The court will modify the amount of the award to the amount the landlord/plaintiff/petitioner is entitled. To just dismiss the case would be absurd if the tenant/defendant/respondent actually owes money.

3. The new landlord can sue you on a claim he has purchased from the prior landlord.

It sounds like to me that you agree that you owe money. If you walk into court, what is your defense? If you have none, the judge will likely have little patience. Filing an appeal - on what grounds? If you look like a tenant who doesn't pay rent on time then chances are your appeal will fall on deaf ears. I don't want this to sound harsh but those are the facts. If you're paid up or have good cause as to why, e.g. rent withheld because of serious problems in the appartment, e.g. no heat and water, then it might be a different story.