Got hit with a $500 landlord fee for a dent I didn't make - need advice

So I moved out of my apartment in Logan Square three weeks ago and the management just sent me a bill for patching a dent in the kitchen wall that they claim I caused. The thing is, that dent was there when I moved in and I even took a photo of it on move-in day but I forgot to email it to them. Now they're saying I have to pay or they'll send it to collections. I've lived in Chicago for 6 years and never had a landlord pull this kind of thing. Has anyone dealt with the city's tenant laws on move-out deductions? Do I have any shot at fighting this or am I stuck paying?

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3 Comments

val_shah2mo ago

Used to think photos were enough proof but a landlord I had pulled something similar and I learned the hard way that you gotta send them in writing right away. Small effort upfront saves huge stress later.

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fionam112mo ago

Is it really worth $500 to stress over a dent that was probably already there?

4

young.ryan2mo ago

A little extra care upfront beats a $500 headache down the road every single time.

1