# Landlord withholding deposit in IL. I could use some advice **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [March 7, 2011, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-withholding-deposit-in-il-i-could-use-some-advice/573742 "2011-03-07T03:38:40Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-withholding-deposit-in-il-i-could-use-some-advice/573742/81 "2011-04-06T20:27:16Z")
I agree with the others. Only put what’s relevant in the letter. Then, if she doesn’t pony up on the 21st, sue her in small claims court. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [April 6, 2011, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-withholding-deposit-in-il-i-could-use-some-advice/573742/82 "2011-04-06T21:02:27Z")
Thanks again for the continued advice and anecdotes!! They make me feel much better 🙂 She does have a job (she’s the store manager at a gas station) and a car. I imagine she’d be selling the car long before the house. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 5:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-withholding-deposit-in-il-i-could-use-some-advice/573742/83 "2011-04-07T05:56:00Z")
I’d leave this in. > [@](#): > > If you fail to comply with this demand, the statute states (bolding mine), “Upon a finding by a circuit court that a lessor has **refused to supply the itemized statement** required by this Section, or has supplied such statement in bad faith, **and** **has** **failed or refused to return the amount of the security deposit due within the time limits provided** , the lessor shall be liable for an amount equal to **twice the amount of the security deposit due, together with court costs and reasonable attorney’s fees**.” If this dispute requires me to file a civil suit, I intend to pursue the full amount of damages to which I am entitled, which would be $900 plus court costs and attorney fees. This would get me off my butt to pay you. Your goal is to get your money back as quickly and easily as possible. You want to avoid Small Claims Court if you can. Small Claims Court can pass a judgment, but it is STILL up to you to collect it, and you may not be able to get her to pay up. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [April 7, 2011, 1:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-withholding-deposit-in-il-i-could-use-some-advice/573742/84 "2011-04-07T13:48:09Z")
It’s up to you to collect a judgment regardless of what court enters it. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2011, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-withholding-deposit-in-il-i-could-use-some-advice/573742/85 "2011-04-11T21:09:49Z")
Slight update: Certified letter was sent last Thursday, still haven’t heard hide nor hair. No check, no letter, no email, no nothing. If it’s still nothing in 9 days by the 20th, it’s going to small claims. Can’t afford to take a day off work but I won’t have a choice… is there any way to choose the day or time of a small claims court date? ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [April 11, 2011, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-withholding-deposit-in-il-i-could-use-some-advice/573742/86 "2011-04-11T21:11:39Z")
It’s only 4:15, call the small claims office and ask them, I assume it’s different in every county/state. ---
**Author:** ![kaylasdad99](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kaylasdad99/32/3398_2.png) [@kaylasdad99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kaylasdad99)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2011, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-withholding-deposit-in-il-i-could-use-some-advice/573742/87 "2011-04-12T00:46:17Z")
See if you can petition the court to award you your day’s lost earnings as damages. No idea if it’s possible, but as long as there’s a death penalty moratorium in Illinois, it can’t kill you to ask. ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 10:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-withholding-deposit-in-il-i-could-use-some-advice/573742/88 "2011-04-21T22:51:48Z")
I got the check in the mail! Today! For the full amount! /squeeee Technically it’s a day past when I was “supposed” to receive it but idgaf. Going to cash this bad boy in the morning, forget this whole shitstorm ever happened, and dream sweetly of the pissy look on her face when she caved and wrote it. I AM FIGURATIVELY SQUEEING ALL OVER THE PLACE! Thanks again for all the advice, you guys rock. I am so happy I’m farting kittens. ---
**Author:** ![pendgwen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/3da27b/32.png) [@pendgwen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pendgwen)\ **Post date:** [April 21, 2011, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-withholding-deposit-in-il-i-could-use-some-advice/573742/89 "2011-04-21T23:16:55Z")
Nicely in line with everyone’s predictions that she always knew that she owed you the money but was hoping she could BS/bully you out of it. Congratulations! ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 12:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-withholding-deposit-in-il-i-could-use-some-advice/573742/90 "2011-04-22T00:12:40Z")
Hmm. I just noticed the check doesn’t have the dollar amount spelled out on the middle line (but it does have the amount written in the box on the right). Will that prevent me from cashing it? ---
**Author:** ![ZenBeam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/3ab097/32.png) [@ZenBeam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ZenBeam)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-withholding-deposit-in-il-i-could-use-some-advice/573742/91 "2011-04-22T00:23:32Z")
Could you fill it in yourself? I wouldn’t think that was illegal, but IANAL. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-withholding-deposit-in-il-i-could-use-some-advice/573742/92 "2011-04-22T01:21:54Z")
It’s perfectly legal to fill it in. People will often give a signed check to a place and have them fill out the amount. As long as she has signed it, you’re good. You probably don’t even need to fill it out; call your bank and ask before you bring it in to be safe. ---
**Author:** ![Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e4f/32.png) [@Digital\_is\_the\_new\_Analog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Digital_is_the_new_Analog)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-withholding-deposit-in-il-i-could-use-some-advice/573742/93 "2011-04-22T03:37:07Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > I got the check in the mail! Today! For the full amount! /squeeee > > Technically it’s a day past when I was “supposed” to receive it but idgaf. Going to cash this bad boy in the morning, forget this whole shitstorm ever happened, and dream sweetly of the pissy look on her face when she caved and wrote it. > > I AM FIGURATIVELY SQUEEING ALL OVER THE PLACE! Thanks again for all the advice, you guys rock. I am so happy I’m farting kittens. I love it when a plan comes together… Congrats! ---
**Author:** ![Alice\_The\_Goon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Alice\_The\_Goon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alice_The_Goon)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 4:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-withholding-deposit-in-il-i-could-use-some-advice/573742/94 "2011-04-22T04:27:16Z")
Ha! In her FACE!! I’m glad it worked out for you. ---
**Author:** ![PunditLisa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/4af34b/32.png) [@PunditLisa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PunditLisa)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 12:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-withholding-deposit-in-il-i-could-use-some-advice/573742/95 "2011-04-22T12:57:46Z")
Good news! Thanks for sharing. ---
**Author:** ![SCSimmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e495f1/32.png) [@SCSimmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SCSimmons)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-withholding-deposit-in-il-i-could-use-some-advice/573742/96 "2011-04-22T15:01:19Z")
> [@rachelellogram](#): > > I am so happy I’m farting kittens. Pics or it didn’t happen. Seriously, though, congratulations! ---
**Author:** ![Rachellelogram](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rachellelogram/32/8689_2.png) [@Rachellelogram](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rachellelogram)\ **Post date:** [April 22, 2011, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-withholding-deposit-in-il-i-could-use-some-advice/573742/97 "2011-04-22T20:54:32Z")
Too funny, I actually was looking for pictures of farting kittens after I posted that. All I got was a bunch of people on yahoo answers asking why their kitten’s farts smelled bad… ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Whisperer](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cat_whisperer/32/4839_2.png) [@Cat\_Whisperer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Whisperer)\ **Post date:** [April 23, 2011, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-withholding-deposit-in-il-i-could-use-some-advice/573742/98 "2011-04-23T04:57:44Z")
I think you can just cash it - it’s when the two amounts don’t match that we had to reject cheques. And, YAY! She blinked first! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/landlord-withholding-deposit-in-il-i-could-use-some-advice/573742.md?page=4)