Landlord sues tenant for unpaid rent, premises damage

A St. Clair County woman has failed to make payments to her landlord and has damaged the rental premises, her landlord claims in a civil suit.

Craig Feichtinger filed a lawsuit July 29 in St. Clair County Circuit Court against Heather Lehr.

Feichtinger claims he owns real estate at 216 Harbor Mill Drive in Troy that he began to lease to Lehr on June 1, 2008.

Under the terms of the lease, Lehr was supposed to pay a monthly rent of $1,600 on the first day of every month, according to the complaint.

However, Lehr has failed and refused to pay Feichtinger rent since her lease began on June 1, 2008, despite his repeated demands she do so, the suit states.

"That Plaintiff acquired possession of the premises from Defendant on or about November 30, 2008, but that the sum of $9,600 of past rent, due and owing as of November 1, 2008, and the sum of $12,800 of past rent, due and owing from the time Defendant vacated the premises through July 1, 2009, remains unpaid by Defendant," the suit states.

While living in the premises, Lehr significantly damaged it from her misuse, waste and neglect, the complaint says.

"That as a direct and proximate result of the damage caused to the premises by Defendant, Plaintiff incurred costs in excess of $2,700 for repairs and cleaning of the premises," the suit states.

Feichtinger is seeking a judgment of $60,300, plus interest, attorney's fees, costs and other relief the court deems just.

W. Jeffrey Muskopf of Lashly and Baer in St. Louis will be representing him.

St. Clair County Circuit Court case number: 09-L-401.