Tips for Landlords to Avoid Security Deposit Disputes

 Posted on February 06, 2019 in Civil law

One of the most common points of dispute among tenants and landlords is the security deposit. However, many of these disputes can be prevented with better communication. In this article, we are going to offer up a few tips for landlords to avoid security deposit disputes in Illinois, and what to do if your tenant takes legal action against you for a security deposit dispute.

Create a Detailed Move-Out Letter

Providing your tenant with a detailed move-out letter will help ensure that you and your tenant are on the same page as far as move-out expectations. This can also be shown in a potential small claims suit to demonstrate that you listed potential areas of deduction.

Use a Landlord-Tenant Checklist

A landlord-tenant checklist is a useful itemized list of all the things in the unit that need to be fixed (along with associated costs). You can send a carbon copy to your tenant for their records after the inspection.

Record the Inspection

Another tip is to videotape and/or photograph your move-out inspection. This will offer objective evidence of any items that need to be fixed that you can bring up in court if need be.

Get a Free Review of Your Landlord-Tenant Dispute

If your tenant brings you to court over a security deposit dispute they can sue you in small claims court for damages of up to $10,000. The best thing you can do in this instance is hire an attorney to advocate for your interests. At Appelman Law, our attorneys represent clients dealing with both criminal and civil issues. We have decades of experience that we bring to the table when defending the rights of each and every one of our clients. Contact us today to learn more about our services and to set up your free legal consultation with one of our attorneys. Our primary office is located in Naperville, but we provide legal services to clients throughout the Chicago suburbs.