AceShowbiz - R. Kelly is facing eviction from his hometown studio in Chicago, Illinois due to unpaid rent.

The "I Believe I Can Fly" hitmaker owes $174,000 (£135,000) to his landlords, in rent and other costs, according to documents obtained by the Chicago Tribune newspaper.

He has been given until Tuesday, January 21, to pay up, or a signed eviction notice will come into effect.

Kelly's career appears in tatters following the recent U.S. TV documentary series, "Surviving R. Kelly", exploring allegations he coerced young women into sexually and emotionally abusive relationships, some of whom were allegedly underage. He and his lawyers have denied the accusations, which were raised in the documentary by several old girlfriends, and associates, including his ex-wife Andrea.

Earlier this month the warehouse studio was visited by building inspectors investigating whether he had violated Chicago zoning laws by using it as a residence. Several of his alleged victims claimed he had been holding women in the property.

The renewed focus on the R&B star's past has sparked protests outside the studio and an intensified campaign demanding promoters and record label executives drop him.

He was recently denied a concert permit for a gig in Springfield, Illinois, and a number of acts, including Lady GaGa and The Pussycat Dolls have apologised for working with him and sought to have their collaborations pulled from music services.

The 52-year-old singer, who was acquitted of child pornography charges in 2008, has faced renewed scrutiny of his private life following a 2017 BuzzFeed News report in which two sets of parents claimed he had enticed their daughters into a "sex cult".

Prosecutors in Illinois and Georgia, where he also resides, are investigating Kelly and have appealed for any alleged victims or witnesses to come forward.