Security Deposit

[sokowa]

What is the name of your state? Illinois

I have rented an apartment for two years and moved out this past September as the lease expired. I had maintained the apartment meticulously. Before I moved out, I steam cleaned the rugs and washed the scuffs from the walls (some of the walls had nails as allowed in the lease). I also cleaned the bathroom and refrigerator 'til they were spotless.

I have since moved to Massachusetts. I received a letter from my former landlord falsely claiming that they kept all of my $700 security deposit due to the following reasons:

1) my dog urinated on the carpet and they had to steamclean
2) the refrigerator and bathrooms needed to be cleaned

I sent my former landlord a letter but didn't receive a response. Can I file a claim in court even though I've relocated to another state? Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures of the apartment before I left.

Thanks for your help.

 

[FarmerJ]

This is only suggestion . Is there some one back in Ill whom you can visit ? while you go and file ? then make return visit for court ? See even if you dont live there any more sure you can still make claim with the courts , but unless you can determine if your able to have some one else use a very limited power of attorney just to get you filed then your going to be stuck with 2 trips you need to show up in court your self since you didnt take exit pictures or have a exit report documenting the final condition of the unit . You have read your states deposit return law havent you ? look in your state govt web page for landlord tenant . read up on the whole thing . Last this site has many attorney listings perhaps you could find one in your state that has a working agreement with another firm back in Ill who can atleast get you filed for a fee and then you go make the trip to be in court . but all of the above depends on if your LL followed the law re the letter about the deposit and if you think its worth it to pursue it . Only you will know if it is .

 

[Paul Bernstein]

Are you in Chicago?

The first question I have for you is: Was your apartment in Chicago? If so, and even if not, how many units in your building and did the landlord live there?