As reported by Crain’s Chicago Business, Blake Horwitz and The Blake Horwitz Law Firm represented homeowners Bijal Shah and Uma Bansal, in a lawsuit against real estate agents from the Leigh Marcus Team at @properties Christie’s International Real Estate. The suit alleged that the @properties  agents knowingly rented the owners’ $11,500-a-month North Center home to Morrell Neely, a tenant with a documented history of evictions, unpaid rent, and bankruptcies, without disclosing these issues to Bijal Shah and Uma Bansal.

Attorney Blake Horwitz argued that the agents, who represented both the landlords and the tenant (a dual agency situation), failed their duty to investigate and disclose Morrell Neely’s problematic financial background. The lawsuit claimed the agents prioritized their commission over the owners’ interests, intentionally withholding Morell Neely’s history and misrepresenting their role in the transaction. As written in The Real Deal  “it wasn’t until after signing that the homeowners found out the renter did not have his own real estate agent, the complaint alleges. The renter, Morrell Neely, was also being represented by Marcus and his team in what is known as dual representation.”

The lawsuit sought damages for consumer fraud, violations of state real estate licensing laws, and both intentional and negligent misrepresentation. Attorney Blake Horwitz emphasized that the agents’ actions allowed a known “bad tenant” to secure the lease, resulting in significant financial losses for the homeowners, who have not received rent payments since the first month.

If you or someone you know share a similar story, please contact The Blake Horwitz Law Firm at (312) 676-2100 or office@bhlfattorneys.com.

Crain’s Chicago Business “Landlords sue over alleged $11,500-a-month squatter at North Center six-bedroom”

The Real Deal “Homeowners sue @properties, top broker Leigh Marcus over alleged squatter”