Called a Chicago tenant hotline instead of just googling my lease issue

My landlord tried to keep my full $1,800 security deposit for 'cleaning' after I moved out of my Logan Square place. I started reading old forum posts and got confused. So I called the Metropolitan Tenants Organization hotline last Tuesday. The volunteer walked me through the city ordinance, told me exactly what letter to send, and gave me a 14-day deadline to mention. Got a check for $1,650 in the mail yesterday. Has anyone else had to push back on a deposit around here?

3 comments

3 Comments

terryscott3d ago

Honestly that's a lot of work over $150. I'd probably just let it go, tbh. Landlords pull that stuff all the time and fighting it just seems like a headache.

lucasw843d ago

Nah, gotta disagree there @terryscott. That's how they keep getting away with it. Everyone just lets it slide. Small claims court is pretty simple for stuff like this. You fill out a form, show your proof, and they usually rule for the tenant. Letting a landlord keep money they didn't earn just makes them do it to the next person.

sarahpark3d ago

Exactly, it's the principle of the thing. My last place tried to keep my whole deposit for "cleaning" when I left it spotless. Took an afternoon to file the papers and they mailed me a check two weeks later. Why should they get free money for doing nothing?

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