Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you through it:**Understand Local Regulations:**First, you need to check with your local city or county to see if the zoning laws allow for this conversion.

This has been court tested by over 40 years of case law. 

In a cooling climate your state's laws probably state the calendar date upon which heat needs to be provided (for example beginning October 15th) and the temperatures that the unit is required to maintain (for example 65 degrees). 2.

You are required by law to find a replacement tenant as quickly as possible and then refund any unused rent income.

If you found a replacement tenant that he found suitable and moved them in before you entered in any unpaid portion of your lease, I would expect you to receive a full refund of the security deposit.I would check with the state laws and see how much you can sue him for in small claims court.

I’m worried about liability, safety, and frankly, whether my personal belongings are at risk.I’m in Illinois (but not in Cook County or Chicago, where I know the laws are stricter).

@Scott Trench or whomever it is calling the shots on the forum laws are just chasing their tails with a moving goalpost of arbitrary rules that will always motivate people to try to skirt them.Why?

I have the nolo press book, "California Landlord's Law Book: Rights and Responsibilities " but it doesn't address this specific  scenario.  

The laws need to be changed.

Just a lot of systems, paperwork organization, and staying abreast of/within the law (required notices, addendums, etc.).3) The screening criteria we use:650 credit score or aboveIncome 3x the monthly rentNo pets (depending on the property)No smokingNo evictions, notices to comply, or money owed to landlords in the past 12 monthsProof of income and financial responsibilityAdditional:First, last, and security deposit due at signing750+ credit score does not require last month rent (helps incentivize quality tenants)Best of luck!