Legal Question in Landlord & Tenant Law in Illinois

Re: security deposit

There is a time limit in Illinois on how long before you have to notify people of damages. Technically, you can still recver but it needs to be within that time period with sufficient notices according to the law.

Re: security deposit

You really need to check your local ordinance pertaining to residential rental property to try to determine if the damages in question constitute normal wear and tear for which the tenant is not liable. It might not be worth it to pursue a claim to recover $550, especially if you won't collect it all because (for example) maybe the refrigerator is 30 years old and should be replaced anyway. Also, bear in mind that if you live in a place like Cook County, your filing fees could be over $200, so you should consider the fees for the county in which you live before you file, as it might not be worth it for you overall. Just consider the time it will take you to deal with this through the court system before you file suit. Hope this helps.